UBA CADv2026 - methods and changes

Summary

Source documents

UBA 2025 v2.1

UBA 2024 v1.1

UBA 2023

Methodology readout notes

General Methodology

Emission factors were read from the official UBA publications and extracted for the relevant details as published.

Individual GHG values from the source were converted to CO₂e using IPCC Fifth Assessment Report GWP values on 100y horizon (AR5), as indicated in UBA documentation. (CH₄ = 28, N₂O = 265)

The published "kg CO₂e" value in the source doc is not always exaclty equal to the sum of GWP-weighted individual gases (kgCO₂ + 28* kgCH₄+ 265*kg N₂O). Likely due to rounding errors in publication or other inaccuracies.

Where the CO₂e value exceeds the sum (positive residual), the residual is retained as an unsplit CO₂e* value. Where the CO₂e value is lower than the sum (negative residual), a conservative approach was applied, and the sum of individual gases (the larger value) is used instead of the published kgCO2e.

Scope 1 and Scope 3 Vorkette (upstream) values were read out separately where available in the source. Gesamt (lifecycle total) values were read where they were provided as a distinct entry and no split was indicated.

In order to match the life-cycle total values of transport, users should enable the scope 3 life cycle reporting setting to ensure upstream (Vorkette) emissions are included correctly for transport and business travel categories.

kWh-based values correspond to the lower heating value (LHV) unless otherwise specified.

The emission factor for the German electricity mix includes transmission grid losses, applied proportionally to both the supply chain and direct emission factors.

Update cadence

UBA publishes updated emission factors annually in December. The publication covers the prior reference year (Bezugsjahr) and is intended for application in the following calendar year.

Data considerations and notes

Refrigerants (Kältemittel)

AR5 values are used where available. Where AR5 values are not available, F-Gas Regulation values are used instead (which reference AR6 or occasionally AR4). This is indicated in the keyword, such as in e.g. Cyclopentan (AR6).

District heating

Emission factors for district heating using KWK are total values and cannot be differentiated by primary energy carrier or by direct vs. upstream emissions.

This does not apply to fossil district heating mix and district heating from solid biomass, where combustion and upstream split is available.

Data gaps filled

Some emission factor components are absent from the UBA source. In some occasions there was an explicit publisher omission; in others there was an undocumented gap

These clear data gaps were corrected where possible with information available in the source or elswhere, See tables below.

WTT (upstream) ratios derived:

BioCO₂ ratios derived:

For Gütertransport nach Strecke/Fahrzeug and Dienstreise und Pendelverkehr nach Strecke/Fahrzeug, the source only provides Scope 1 and Gesamt (lifecycle total) values. Upstream (Vorkette) factors were derived by subtracting Scope 1 from Gesamt, allowing correct separation of direct and upstream emission stages in CAD.

Important keyword changes

Transport keywords have been restructured across road, rail, inland waterway, and air categories to improve clarity and fit within character limits.

Road freight (Straße): the top-level "Straße" category is dropped as implicit. Vehicle classes are split into specific subtypes (LNF and SNF-based keywords). Fuel and drivetrain are extracted to detail. Uninformative average/noise labels are removed.

Air (Luft): structure preserved from source; bracket punctuation unified.

External links

www.umweltbundesamt.de