Clinical Trials Carbon Calculator
The calculator is free to use and makes use of carbon footprint methodology and data contained within the Clinical Trials Carbon Footprinting: Guidance Document. It uses a step-wise process to sum carbon from a number of separate activities (modules) associated with design, management and operation to estimate the overall carbon footprint (kgCO2e) of a trial.
Such calculations can be used to appraise the importance of different activities and guide users to where the greatest opportunity exists for reducing the carbon footprint of clinical research.
How to interpret the results
Once all data has been entered, the calculator will produce an output of results. These results will firstly show the overall carbon footprint for your trial, and the carbon footprint per participant.
The calculator also provides more granular information. Carbon emissions will be calculated for each element of each subheading, based on the data you have entered. For example, the tool will provide overall carbon emissions for trial site staff travel, specified by transport type.
Each subheading will show the percentage of the overall carbon footprint of the trial that it contributes, allowing you to quickly identify the elements of your trial which are the most carbon intense and therefore to identify which areas you could target to decarbonise your trial.
As more users footprint their trials and our database grows, it may become possible to benchmark your trials.
Interested in joining our LinkedIn Community of Practice?
The group, hosted by the Sustainable Healthcare Coalition, forms part of our Sustainable Clinical Trials Knowledge Hub. It is intended to serve as a community of practice to bring together a broad range of stakeholders involved in making clinical trials more sustainable.
If you would like to join, submit a request here.