Step by Step Guide to a DIY Carbon Audit

11 July 2025

Farmers, crofters and land managers can complete a carbon audit themselves to meet the Whole Farm Plan requirements. Regardless of which tool you are going to use, the steps that you need to complete are the same.

This article will take you through what you need to prepare and collate to complete a carbon audit for the Whole Farm Plan.

Step 1 - Ensure the data you're using is accurate

Without accurate data, it becomes harder to properly measure the changes to emissions your business makes over time as you implement improvements and become more efficient. This article will help you understand how inaccurate data for some elements will skew your result. The example used in the article is beef enterprises, but the impact of inaccurate data applies to all enterprises.

Step 2 - Gather the necessary information as described in our data checklist

This checklist will help you prepare and collate your farm data for the 12-month period you are assessing before you are sat in the front of the tool. This can be especially valuable to use if some of the information will be held by other business or family members.

https://www.fas.scot/article/how-to-get-prepared-for-a-carbon-audit/

Step 3 - Select your carbon audit tool

There are 4 free tools available and you can select which tool you would like to use from the list below. You can find out more about each tool on their respective websites.

Step 4 - Access your chosen platform via one of the following methods:

Login if you have existing credentials
Register for the first time
If you have previously had an account with a carbon calculator but it needs re-activated then contact the carbon calculator team for that platform directly.

Step 5 - Upload your farm data onto the tool

Make sure to pay close attention to the units of the data fields. For example, kilograms rather than tonnes.

Watch a demo of how to enter the data on Agrecalc

The principles of the data entry will be very similar across platforms but the example of Agrecalc has been used below to allow you to visualise the principles of carbon auditing before you begin your own data entry.

If the option is available, submit the data for checking by the carbon calculator team

If you were able to submit for checking, please do not continue until you have heard back from the carbon calculator team that your report was completed correctly.

Step 6 - Once your report is finalised, download your results/report and save or print for ease of retrieval at a later date

This is an important step as a copy of the carbon audit will be required for Basic Payment Scheme inspections.

Step 7 - Assess the results for your carbon audit

Aiming to identify the areas that offer the greatest scope for improvement. Focus on the opportunity level showing within the tool rather than the numerical figure.

What to do with your results

Your results should give you a clearer picture of where improvements can be made to your business. The highest opportunity level is a great place to start. Once you’ve identified your greatest opportunities, you can use our library of resources to help you improve your emissions.

Step 1 - Ensure the data you're using is accurate

Step 2 - Gather the necessary information as described in our data checklist

Step 3 - Select your carbon audit tool

Step 4 - Access your chosen platform via one of the following methods:

Step 5 - Upload your farm data onto the tool

Watch a demo of how to enter the data on Agrecalc

If the option is available, submit the data for checking by the carbon calculator team

Step 6 - Once your report is finalised, download your results/report and save or print for ease of retrieval at a later date

Step 7 - Assess the results for your carbon audit

What to do with your results

Click on each dropdown to reveal the available resources.

General Livestock

Dairy

Beef

Sheep

Poultry & PIgs (Commercial)

Arable

Grassland & Forage

Energy & Waste

Use the Specialist Advice Plan funding or FAS Advice Line if you have further queries or outstanding questions about recommendations to improve your carbon footprint

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Integrated Land Management Plans

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