"I don't know" is not zero
Almost every footprint calculator treats an empty field as if it were zero. That produces artificially low numbers that collapse the moment anyone reviews them.
It means: 87% of the information required for this measurement is available or documented.
It does not mean: that the company is 87% sustainable, that the measurement is 87% accurate, or any kind of environmental rating.
The four classifications
Measured figure
It comes from a bill, invoice or record. Ideally with the document attached.
weight 1.0
Reasoned figure
You derived it from something else, or approximated it with an explainable criterion.
weight 0.5
We do not know
It applies to your operation but you do not have the figure. It is not calculated as zero.
weight 0.0
Does not apply
You have no fleet, or you do not use gas. It stays out of the calculation and does not penalise you.
outside the denominator
What it is actually for
- You know exactly what is missing to close the gaps
- You can show your client how solid the figure is, not just what it is
- You compare periods: if coverage rises, your data management improved
- You prioritise: first measure what you do not measure, then reduce
The incentive, inverted
A normal calculator rewards filling in fast: the less you type, the lower the number comes out and the happier you leave.
NAVEO rewards filling in well. If you leave fields empty your footprint does not drop — your coverage drops, and that gets written into the report you are about to hand someone.
It is uncomfortable at first. It is the only way the number is worth anything later.