The Campaign for Greener Arbitrations (CGA) has launched its Carbon Impact Calculator (CGA Calculator), a practical tool to quantify the carbon footprint of arbitration proceedings. By inputting data such as flights, hearing logistics, data usage and case management practices, the tool translates complex processes into clear, measurable emissions data.

By being able to identify and quantify carbon emissions across all stages of arbitration to filing through to a final award, the carbon impact calcultaor helps arbitration practitioners quantify the environmental footprint of arbitrations. 

The CGA Calculator focuses on indirect emissions, categorising impacts across two main categories, namely energy consumption and other emissions.  The CGA Calculator integrates scientifically grounded assumptions, including around purchased electricity for computer use, printing and emails, as well as travel, hotel stays, computer manufacturing, data storage and material use. The CGA Calculator is developed in accordance with the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, the leading global standard for carbon accounting.

Athanasia Arapogianni Konisti, Co-Chair of the CGA Innovation and Policy Task Force, said:

“You cannot manage what you cannot measure. In developing this calculator, our goal was to provide a scientifically grounded yardstick that captures the hidden ‘carbon hotspots’ of a case.

By highlighting that over 90% of emissions often sit within the value chain, specifically travel and infrastructure, we are giving tribunals and counsel the evidence base they need to justify greener procedural orders and drive systemic change.”

Christine Falcicchio and Cherine Foty, Immediate Past CGA Global Co-Chairs, said:

“The launch of the CGA Calculator marks a significant step in CGA’s broader mission to embed sustainability within international dispute resolution.  In addition to the CGA Green Protocols, the CGA’s guidance on how each user might adopt more sustainable environmental behaviours, the CGA Calculator aims to equip practitioners with an innovative tool to facilitate more informed decision-making.” 

‍Andrew Mackenzie and Laura Halonen, CGA Global Co-Chairs, said:

“We are delighted to be launching the CGA Calculator and thank Christine and Cherine and the members of the CGA Innovation and Policy Task Force for their leadership and hard work on developing this important tool. 

‍ ‍By translating complex environmental data into measurable outputs (kgCO2e), the CGA Calculator provides arbitration practitioners with insights into the carbon footprint of an arbitration.  Of course, we hope that this will lead to some changing behaviours and practitioners looking to reduce emissions and make more sustainable procedural choices.  The next phase of this project will be to provide information and advice to practitioners on carbon offset and mitigation schemes.

We are particularly delighted to be launching the CGA Calculator at ICCA Madrid.  The organisers of this ICCA Congress have worked hard to ensure that the event is as sustainable as possible, and we want to recognise that endeavour.”