One of Finland’s largest energy companies, Oulun Energia acquired the OpenCO2 API in early 2026. The company uses it to obtain up-to-date emission factors for its own emissions calculations. Oulun Energia and its subsidiaries provide energy and electricity generation, power grid services, and various heating and energy solutions. In addition, one of its subsidiaries, Syklo Oy, offers various circular economy services to businesses.
Oulun Energia wanted emission factors for Scope 3 calculations
Oulun Energia wanted to expand its emissions calculations to cover its entire value chain, including indirect Scope 3 emissions. At the same time, ensuring that the most up-to-date and accurate emission factors were used was essential to guarantee the reliability of the final calculation results. A large company offering a wide range of energy and circular economy services needs different types of emission factors for raw materials, transportation and travel data as well as waste, for example. The OpenCO2 emissions database offers a wide range of emission factors based on both physical quantities and currency values.
The goal was to streamline scope 3 emissions calculations by reducing the time spent searching for and updating emission factors. The OpenCO2 API was selected as the solution. Together, experts from Oulun Energia and OpenCO2net reviewed the energy company’s Scope 3 emission sources, including those of all its subsidiaries. OpenCO2net’s experts selected the most appropriate emission factor for each emission source from the OpenCO2 emissions database.
The OpenCO2 API enables easier updates to emission factors
Going forward, Oulun Energia can update selected emission factors to the latest versions with a single click. Factors retrieved from the OpenCO2 emissions database are transferred to Oulun Energia’s own emissions calculation system via the OpenCO2 API, and when the factors need to be updated, a new API call is made. The call retrieves the emission factors from the database and provides the customer with the most up-to-date values. The OpenCO2 API can be integrated with the company’s own systems or, for example, with an Excel spreadsheet.
Larger companies, in particular, may need a wide variety of emission factors for their calculations. Emission factors are also typically found in various sources and even in different languages. When all emission factors are available in one place, up-to-date and validated by experts, the company saves time that can be spent on tasks other than simply searching for and updating data. Emissions accounting is not merely about collecting data and working with numbers; above all, it involves reviewing one’s own operations as well as planning and implementing emissions reduction measures.
“With the help of OpenCO2net’s experts, we were able to quickly identify the necessary emission factors. We can trust that our emission factors will continue to be up-to-date and as accurate as possible. Now that Scope 3 emissions have been calculated, we can target emission reduction measures where they will have the greatest impact.”
Environmental Specialist of Oulun Energia, Heli Heikkinen
The OpenCO2 emissions database provides our customers with access to over 9,000 up-to-date emission factors. Our emissions database includes all the emission factors a company needs, including those for fuels, purchased energy, products and services, as well as transportation and travel. Our experts update the emissions database twice a month, and every emissions factor source is carefully validated before the factor is added to the database. Using the OpenCO2 API, emissions factors are transferred to your company’s own systems, significantly streamlining emissions calculations.
Does your company need to automate its emissions calculations and use up-to-date emission factors? Contact us using the form below and schedule a free consultation to help you improve your emissions calculations.
