Overview
Methodology for Cloud Embodied Emissions Measurement
Greenpixie's cloud embodied emissions methodology estimates the manufacturing, transport, and end-of-life emissions of the hardware that delivers a public cloud workload, at the granularity of individual units of cloud usage.
Greenpixie builds up the embodied emissions of a server one component at a time, beginning with its silicon dies. The manufacturing emissions of a silicon die depend on its area and the process node it is fabricated on. Capacity on a memory module or a solid state drive converts to die area, at the capacity a die of the part's generation holds for a given area. The fixed server components, being the power supplies, chassis, fans, motherboard, and expansion cards, take values adapted from assessments published by server manufacturers. Transport and end-of-life processing each add an allowance to the component manufacturing total.
Greenpixie divides the embodied emissions of the server across the operating life the hardware is assumed to have, and across the capacity the server presents. An instance takes the emissions of the capacity it occupies, for the period it is billed for. Greenpixie then adds an allowance for the data centre shell.
The companion Cloud compute methodology covers the operational electricity of the hardware that delivers a public cloud workload. The parent Cloud methodology covers facility overhead, grid carbon intensity, and water consumption.
Start with the Introduction, or jump to any section from the sidebar.
1. Introduction
Purpose, audience, and context of the methodology.
2. Scope and Applicability
What is in scope, out of scope, and the evaluation boundary.
3. Definitions
Key terms used throughout the methodology.
4. Methodology Overview
How the methodology works at a high level.
5. Inputs and Evidence Sources
The data categories and evidence sources the methodology draws on.
6. Eligibility, Selection, and Inclusion Logic
What is included and how it is selected and mapped.
7. Assessment and Calculation
The calculation components and their outputs.
8. Monitoring, Updates, and Review Timing
How the methodology is kept current.
9. Quality Assurance and Oversight
Standards alignment, validation, and review controls.
10. Governance and Methodology Changes
Working group, review cadence, and version control.
11. Outputs and Interpretation
Primary outputs, intended use, and interpretation guidance.
12. Related Documents
Standards, research, and sources referenced by the methodology.
13. Notice on Intellectual Property and Permitted Use
IP notice and permitted use of this document.