CarbonCount is a proprietary decision tool developed by HASI, a climate investment firm, to evaluate investments in U.S.-based carbon-free energy, energy efficiency, and climate resilience projects. It measures the efficiency of reducing CO₂ equivalent emissions per $1,000 of investment, providing a quantitative impact assessment by integrating forward-looking project assumptions, emissions factors, and capital investment. In 2023, HASI released CarbonCount 2.0, enhancing precision through locational marginal emissions factors that reflect the specific grid composition at each project's location during generation.
Key Features and Functionality:
- Quantitative Impact Assessment: Calculates the efficiency of CO₂ equivalent emissions reduction per $1,000 invested.
- Integration of Project Assumptions: Incorporates forward-looking project data, emissions factors, and capital investment to provide a comprehensive evaluation.
- Locational Marginal Emissions Factors: Utilizes LME factors to account for the specific grid composition at each project's location, enhancing assessment accuracy.
Primary Value and Problem Solved:
CarbonCount addresses the need for a standardized, transparent metric to evaluate the carbon impact of investments in clean energy and infrastructure projects. By providing a clear measure of CO₂ emissions reduction efficiency, it enables investors, developers, corporate buyers, and policymakers to make informed decisions, prioritize impactful investments, and combat greenwashing. This tool promotes accountability and encourages capital flow toward projects that effectively mitigate climate change.