Reference Data Library

Reference Emission Data Library

The Reference Emission Data Library is your central hub for managing all environmental emission data in CarbonSig. This unified system combines Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) and Emission Factors (EF) data into a single, powerful framework for tracking greenhouse gas emissions across materials, processes, and activities.

Learn more about update.

Getting Started with Reference Emission Data

What is Reference Emission Data?

Reference Emission Data represents standardized environmental emission values that can be used in your carbon footprint calculations. This unified system includes:

Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data - Comprehensive environmental inputs and outputs for products, materials, or processes
Emission Factors (EF) - Standardized values representing greenhouse gases emitted per unit of activity
Unified management - One interface for all emission reference data
Global sharing capabilities - Community-driven emission data repository

Each Reference Emission Data entry contains:

Greenhouse gas emission values
Source documentation and methodology
Geographic and category classifications
Validity periods
Verification status
Proprietary/public designation

Understanding the Two Libraries

My Reference Emission data

Contains reference data specific to your account
Includes data you've created or added from the Global Library
Allows full management capabilities (create, update, archive)
Stores both former LCI and EF data in one unified list

Emission Data Marketplace

Contains all publicly available reference emission data in CarbonSig
Includes data from other CarbonSig accounts and third-party databases (e.g., Ecoinvent, IPCC, EPD International)
Searchable repository for finding relevant emission data
Community-driven knowledge base

How to Create New Reference Emission Data

Before You Begin

Ensure you have appropriate permissions (Admin or Builder role)
Gather emission data from reliable sources
Prepare documentation on calculation methodology
Have source citations ready

Step-by-Step Guide

Navigate to Libraries Management → Reference Emission Data

Click the "+" icon or "Add New Reference" to open the creation modal

Fill in Required Fields:

Basic Information

Name (150 character limit) - Use clear, descriptive names that indicate the type of data
Geography - Select the applicable geographic region from dropdown
Category - Select primary category
Sub-Category - Select appropriate sub-category for classification
Source (150 character limit) - Cite your data source clearly
Unit of Measurement - Select the appropriate unit (e.g., kg, m³, kWh, kg CO2e/kWh)
Greenhouse Gas Type - Carbon dioxide is added by default
Amount - Enter the emission value (no more buffer field - set amounts directly)
Click "Add emission type" to include additional greenhouse gases
Add as many emission types as needed
Description (25000 character limit) - Comprehensive field for:
- Data collection methods
- Calculation methodology
- Assumptions and limitations
- Application guidelines
- Allocation rules (for LCI-type data)
- Cut-off rules (for LCI-type data)
Valid From - Start date for data validity
Valid To - Expiry date when data should be reviewed
Third-Party Verified - Select Yes or No
Proprietary - Defaults to "No" for community sharing (set to "Yes" for confidential data)
Upload Document - Attach supporting files (PDF, DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, ODF, JPG, JPEG, PNG)

Click "Save" or "Add Reference Data" to create the entry

Tips for Creating Quality Reference Data

Naming Convention: Include the type (LCI/EF), material/activity, and key identifier
Comprehensive Documentation: Use the Description field extensively
Data Precision: Set emission amounts with appropriate decimal places
Source Citations: Always provide complete, verifiable sources
Validity Periods: Set realistic review dates based on data volatility
Global Sharing: Share non-proprietary data to benefit the community

Using Reference Data from the Global Library

Finding Reference Emission Data

Navigate to the Global Reference Data Library tab
Use the enhanced search and filter options:
- Text Search: Searches across Name, Description, and Source fields
- Category Filters: Narrow by Category/Subcategory
- Geographic Filters: Find region-specific data
- Tags: Use tag filters for specific topics
- and more filters
Review data details by clicking "View"

Adding Reference Data to Your Local Library

Find the desired reference data in the Global Library
Click "Use" in the actions menu
Review the confirmation dialog showing the data name
Click "Confirm" to add to your local library
The reference data now appears in your Local Reference Data Library

What Happens When You Use Reference Data

The data is copied to your Local Library
You can use it immediately in your process systems
You cannot edit reference data created by others
Updates from the original publisher will notify you
The data remains linked to its original source for traceability

Viewing and Managing Reference Data

Viewing Reference Data Details

Click "View" on any reference data entry to see complete information:

All emission values and greenhouse gas types
Complete methodology and documentation
Version information and history
Publisher details and source
Validity periods
Verification status
Usage information (which systems use this data)

Understanding Permissions

If you are the original publisher:

Can update/edit the reference data
Can archive the data
Can change proprietary settings

If data is from another account or third-party:

Can only view details
Can remove from Local Library
Cannot edit or archive

Using Reference Data in Systems

In Process Systems

When building process systems, reference emission data is seamlessly integrated:

For Input Nodes:

Click on an input node
Select from unified reference data list
Both LCI-type and EF-type data appear together
System automatically applies correct calculations

For Direct Emissions:

Add direct emissions to processes
Select from emission factor data
Multiple emission factors can be applied

Automatic Calculations:

Enter quantity for your activity
System calculates total emissions based on reference data
Updates automatically when reference data is updated

Updating Reference Data and Version Control

Who Can Update Reference Data?

Only the original publisher with appropriate permissions can update reference emission data.

How to Update Reference Data

Open the reference data entry in View mode
Click "Update Reference Data"
All fields become editable
Make necessary changes:
- Update emission values
- Revise methodology description
- Extend validity periods
- Add new documentation
Click "Save Changes"

Version Control System

Version 1: Shows "version 1 - created: mm/dd/yyyy"
Updated versions: Shows "version X - last updated: mm/dd/yyyy"
Automatic Updates: Systems using the data get latest version

Important Version Notes

Process systems automatically use the latest version
Historical calculations maintain their original version reference
Users are notified when referenced data is updated

Removing and Archiving Reference Data

Remove vs Archive

Remove - Returns data to Global Library

Available for reference data from other accounts
Removes from your local library only
Can be re-added later from Global Library
Systems using this data will need updates

Archive - Permanently removes from CarbonSig

Only for reference data you published
Cannot be restored
Historical calculations preserve the data

How to Remove Reference Data

Click the three dots menu on the reference data entry
Select "Remove"
Review the confirmation message
Check if any systems are using this data
Click "Remove" to confirm

How to Archive Reference Data

Click the three dots menu on your published data
Select "Archive"
Review the warning message carefully
Check affected systems
Consider updating instead of archiving
Click "Archive Reference Data" to confirm

Before Archiving Consider:

Impact on all systems using this data
Other accounts that will be affected
Whether an update would be better than archiving
The permanent nature of archiving
Alternative reference data for affected users

Data Migration from Old System

Automatic Conversion

Your existing LCIs and EFs have been automatically migrated to the new unified system:

LCI Data:

All fields preserved in new structure
Allocation and cut-off rules moved to Description field
Buffer values removed (set amounts directly)

EF Data:

All emission factors preserved
Tags maintained for searchability
Activity categories mapped to new structure

No Data Loss: All your existing data is accessible in the new system

Seamless Transition: Systems continue working without interruption

Best Practices

Data Quality

Verify all emission values from reputable sources
Document methodologies comprehensively in Description field
Set appropriate precision for emission amounts
Pursue third-party verification when possible
Keep validity periods current

Organization

Use clear naming conventions: [Type][Material/Activity][Geography]_[Year]
Select accurate categories and subcategories
Maintain consistent units of measurement
Group related data with similar naming

Documentation

Use the Description field extensively for:
- Detailed methodology
- Assumptions and limitations
- Allocation rules (for LCI-type data)
- Activity descriptions (for EF-type data)
- Application guidelines
Attach supporting documents
Include complete source citations

Collaboration

Share non-proprietary data globally
Keep reference data updated with latest research
Provide clear documentation for other users
Consider the community when creating broadly applicable data

Enhanced Search and Filtering

The unified system includes powerful search capabilities:

Search Features

Full Text Search: Searches Name, Description, and Source fields
Smart Filters:
- Category/Subcategory hierarchical filtering
- Geographic region selection
- Verification status
- Proprietary flag
Tag Search: Find data by specific keywords
Advanced Filters: Combine multiple criteria

Search Tips

Use specific terms for better results
Try different tag combinations
Filter by geography for regional data
Use category filters to narrow large result sets

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Cannot create reference data

Verify you have Admin or Builder role permissions
Check all required fields are completed
Ensure character limits aren't exceeded
Verify at least one greenhouse gas is added

Cannot find reference data

Check both Local and Global libraries
Try broader search terms
Remove restrictive filters
Verify the data hasn't been archived
Check validity date ranges

Reference data not appearing in process system

Ensure data is in your My Reference library
Check that units match your needs
Verify the data hasn't been removed

Cannot update reference data

Confirm you are the original publisher
Check your role permissions
Ensure you're viewing in the correct modal
Verify the data isn't archived

Import/Export issues

Check file format compatibility
Verify all required fields in import file
Ensure no character limit violations
Review error messages carefully

Coming Soon: Data Marketplace

Centralized Global Libraries

Access all global emission databases from one location
Integrated Ecoinvent, IPCC, and EPD International data
Advanced search across all databases
One-click addition to your local library

Key Differences from Previous System

Unified Benefits

Single Interface: No more switching between LCI and EF screens
Consistent Workflow: Same process for all emission data types
Simplified Management: One set of permissions and rules
Better Search: Find any emission data type with unified search
Streamlined Updates: One process for all data updates

What's Changed

No Buffer Field: Set emission amounts directly with appropriate precision
Enhanced Description: Single field for all methodology documentation
Proprietary Flag: New field for marking confidential data
Validity Periods: Required for all reference data
Unified Categories: Same classification system for all data types

Need More Help?

If you need additional assistance with Reference Emission Data or have questions not covered in this guide:

Contact our support team: support@carbonsig.com
Join our community forum for tips and best practices

The unified Reference Emission Data system simplifies your workflow while maintaining all the functionality you need for comprehensive carbon accounting.