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Sustainability Metrics Tracker Template
An Excel workbook for tracking energy, emissions, water, and waste each month, with intensity measures and a baseline comparison.
The Factors tab holds the emission factors you use for electricity, natural gas, and diesel, with a place to record the source and year. The values shown are illustrative. On the Monthly Data tab you enter output, energy, water, and waste quantities for each month, and the workbook calculates emissions in tonnes of CO2e, emissions and water per 1,000 units, the diversion rate, and landfill per 1,000 units, with charts.
The Progress tab lets you choose how many of the first months form the baseline and compares the baseline average with the latest three months for each measure, showing the change and whether it is improving. Example months are included so you can see the formulas working before you replace them.
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What Is Included in the Workbook
| Sheet | Purpose | What Teams Capture |
|---|---|---|
| How-To | Guidance and disclaimer | Steps and notes |
| Factors | Emission factors | Factors, units, and the source and year of each |
| Monthly Data | Monthly inputs and calculations (Excel Table) | Output, electricity, gas, diesel, water, waste; emissions, intensity, diversion, landfill per 1,000 units; charts |
| Progress | Baseline versus recent months | Averages, change, and direction for each measure |
Key Features Inside the Template
Emissions From Your Own Factors
Enter your factors once, and every month's emissions calculate from the activity data.
Intensity Measures
Emissions, water, and landfill per 1,000 units, so changes in volume do not hide efficiency.
Diversion Rate With Landfill Intensity
See the share diverted and the landfill per unit, so a change in waste generated is not missed.
Baseline Versus Recent Progress
Choose the baseline months and see the change and direction for each measure.
Best Use Cases
- Tracking monthly energy, emissions, water, and waste at a site
- Preparing data for internal or customer sustainability reporting
- Checking whether improvement projects moved the numbers
- Training staff in intensity measures and baselines
How to Use the Template Effectively
- Replace the illustrative emission factors with current factors from an authoritative source, and record the source and year.
- Enter each month's output, energy, water, and waste from bills, meters, and waste records.
- Check that months look plausible, and correct data gaps or estimates and note them.
- Set the baseline months and review the Progress tab each month.
- When you change a factor, boundary, or method, note it and recalculate the baseline.
Who Should Use This Template
- Sustainability, environmental, and energy coordinators
- Operations and facilities managers
- Students and trainees learning environmental performance measurement
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving the illustrative emission factors in place
- Changing the boundary or units between months without noting it
- Reading absolute totals without looking at output
- Reporting a diversion rate without waste generated
Important Notes
Sustainability Metrics Tracker Template Frequently Asked Questions
How are emissions calculated in the workbook?
Each month's emissions equal electricity in kWh times its factor, plus gas in therms times its factor, plus diesel in gallons times its factor, all divided by 1,000 to give tonnes of CO2e. The factors are on the Factors tab, and the values shown are illustrative, so replace them with current factors for your region and year.
How does the Progress tab work?
You enter how many of the first months form the baseline. The tab averages each measure over those months and over the latest three months of data, calculates the percentage change, and labels it Improving, Worsening, or About the same, treating a lower value as better for emissions, water, and landfill, and a higher value as better for the diversion rate.
Can I add more months or measures?
Yes. The Monthly Data table has 36 formatted rows. Drag the table's resize handle to add rows, and copy the formulas in the calculated columns. You can add columns for other measures, such as refrigerants or purchased materials.