# C.Scale Documentation > The complete documentation, in reading order. Index: https://docs.cscale.io/llms.txt --- # C.Scale User's Guide --- ## C.Scale User's Guide Source: https://docs.cscale.io/index.md Learn how to use C.Scale to set a whole life carbon budget, find embodied and operational carbon hot spots early, and compare reduction strategies. C.Scale is a whole life carbon tool delivering carbon clarity from concept to construction. It starts with simple inputs at the earliest project stages, then increases modeling resolution as your design progresses—from early massing studies to detailed assembly modeling and product selection—while keeping the context for your carbon decisions throughout the project lifecycle. Its model combines regionally-specific background data, forward-looking projections, peer-reviewed findings, and industry-leading ML models to assess the relative impact of carbon reduction measures on a project’s embodied, operational, and landscape carbon footprints. ![The most impactful carbon decisions happen at the beginning of a project, before granular data is available. C.Scale connects those early decisions through to construction, maintaining context as modeling resolution increases.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-view.png) Time-based climate targets cannot wait for late-stage data, so C.Scale is the first step in an iterative low-carbon design process: it sets strategies and project-level targets that you refine throughout the project lifecycle. ## How project teams use C.Scale * Set a whole life carbon budget for a project. * Identify carbon hot spots early and evaluate the most impactful reduction strategies, when the potential for change is highest. * Increase modeling resolution as design progresses, from massing-level estimates through detailed structural, enclosure, and interior modeling. * Select specific products from the EPD library to support committed design decisions. * Compare whole life carbon emissions across projects in your [portfolio](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/benefits-of-an-organization-account.md). C.Scale works like a shoebox model at the start of a project—simple inputs, fast iteration, and a clear picture of where emissions come from—and fills in as the design progresses, all in one continuous workflow. --- ## Create a Project Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/create-a-project.md Create a whole life carbon project in C.Scale from the dashboard. Fill in the required steps, then open Edit Project Info to set the rest of the settings. A project is where you model, analyze, and compare the baseline and scenarios against each other. From the dashboard, begin by clicking the **+ New Project** button. ![Create your first project.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-dashboard-empty.png) Fill in the required information, click **Next** through each step, then **Create**. ![In a few simple steps, create a new project.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-create-project-step-3.png) After creating your project, configure more project settings by clicking [**Edit Project Info**](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/create-a-project/all-project-settings.md) in the left-hand panel of the project page. ![Edit Project Info button in the left-hand panel.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-all-project-settings-button.png) --- ## All Project Settings Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/create-a-project/all-project-settings.md See every C.Scale project setting: analysis period, life cycle stages, scope, location, use, building size, site, grid, energy and refrigerants. These settings apply at the project level to the baseline and all scenarios, so every scenario shares the same underlying assumptions and remains comparable. To refine the project, click **Edit Project Info** in the left-hand panel. ![Edit Project Info button in the left-hand panel.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-all-project-settings-button.png) ## Scope ![Scope settings.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-settings-scope.png) One of the leading causes of misalignment between wbLCA results is that they cover different project scopes. For instance, one model may contain only "structure, foundation, and envelope" while another will contain "structure, foundation, envelope, interiors, MEP, and site." Refine your scope of analysis by including or excluding LCA stages or parts of the building to meet reporting goals or facilitate comparison with other projects. C.Scale saves any decarbonization measures in excluded parts of the scope but makes them temporarily unavailable while they are out of scope. When you restore their scope, the values reappear as last entered. ### Analysis Period Select an analysis period to determine over how many years the analysis takes place. ### Life Cycle Stages Clear a life cycle stage to remove its emissions from the C.Scale model. A1-A3 is always included. ### Categories Clear a category to remove it from the C.Scale model and disable its decarbonization measures in the right-hand panel. ## Invite Collaborators Invite external guests to the project. See [Sharing and Collaboration](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/benefits-of-an-organization-account/sharing-and-collaboration.md#collaborate-with-external-guests). ## General ![General settings.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-settings-general.png) ### Unit System Modify the unit system for the project's calculations. ### Project Name Select a name for your project. ### Confidential Project Confidential projects have their names hidden. ### Construction Type **New Construction** or **Reuse and Retrofit**. ### Project Status **Active**, **Completed**, **Study** or **Archive**. ### Project Number Your organization's internal tracking number (optional). ### Year of Project Completion The year that construction is completed and building operation begins. This is the year to which construction emissions are attributed and the C.Scale model begins calculating operational carbon emissions. ## Location ![Location settings.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-settings-location.png) ### Address The project's address. C.Scale uses it to locate the project and set its ASHRAE climate zone. ## Use ![Use settings.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-settings-use.png) ### Primary Use The use category most reflective of the project’s main use. This is used to determine the building's energy use and its structural requirements. ### Secondary Use If the primary use comprises less than 100% of the program, select a secondary program for the remainder. This program will affect the EUI (resulting in a ‘blended EUI’) but will not affect the estimate of the building’s structural system. ## Building Size ![Building size settings.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-settings-building-size.png) ### Number of Above Ground Floors The number of building floors above grade. These floors will be assessed using the selected structural system. ### Total Above Ground Constructed Floor Area The total constructed floor area above ground. ### Number of Below Ground Floors The number of building floors below grade. These floors will be assessed as having a reinforced concrete structural system. ### Total Below Ground Constructed Floor Area The total constructed floor area below ground. ## Sitework ![Sitework settings.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-settings-sitework.png) ### Total Site Area The total site area, including the building footprint and landscaping. The site area cannot be smaller than the building's footprint. ### Site Condition Choose **Brownfield** for a previously developed site or **Greenfield** for one that is not. If the site is not previously developed, it is a greenfield site and the project incurs an emissions penalty for the site disturbance. The magnitude of this penalty is equivalent to the site area’s sequestration potential with low-sequestration plantings. ## Electricity Grid ![Electricity grid settings.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-settings-electricity-grid.png) ### Future Scenario The future of the electric grid is uncertain. C.Scale gives you the choice between three future scenarios, each derived from NREL's [CAMBIUM model](https://www.nrel.gov/analysis/cambium.html). * **Mid-Case Decarbonization**. Average estimates for inputs such as technology costs, fuel prices, and demand growth. No inclusion of nascent technologies. Electric sector policies as they existed in September 2022, with the assumption that the Inflation Reduction Act’s Production and Investment Tax Credits do not phase out. This metric is described in NREL's Cambium model as "Midcase." * **Slow Decarbonization**. Average estimates as in the mid-case scenario, but with an assumption that battery and renewable energy costs are high. This scenario assumes that the thresholds set by the Inflation Reduction Act’s Production and Investment Tax Credits are not met and, as such, they do not phase out. This metric is described in NREL's Cambium model as "High Cost of Renewable Energy." * **Rapid Decarbonization**. Average estimates for inputs such as technology costs, fuel prices, and demand growth. Nascent technologies are included. Electric sector policies as they existed in September 2022, with the assumption that the Inflation Reduction Act’s Production and Investment Tax Credits do not phase out. High-level assumption that the national electricity grid's carbon emissions in 2050 are 5% of their 2005 level. This metric is described in NREL's Cambium model as "95% decarbonization by 2050." ### Emission Metric C.Scale provides two metrics to account for building emissions, both derived from NREL's [CAMBIUM model](https://www.nrel.gov/analysis/cambium.html) and using GWP-100 characterization factors. * **Average Emission Rate (AER)**. See [Glossary](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/glossary.md#electricity-grid-metrics). * **Long-Run Marginal Emission Rates (LRMER)**. See [Glossary](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/glossary.md#electricity-grid-metrics). ## Energy Benchmark ![Energy benchmark settings.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-settings-energy-benchmark.png) ### Benchmark Energy Use Intensity (EUI) The industry-wide benchmark energy use intensity for buildings of this size, type, and location. ### Benchmark Fossil Fuel Use (as % of EUI) The benchmark percentage of annual energy use from on-site fossil fuel combustion. ### Include Upstream Natural Gas Leakage Include upstream natural gas supply-chain leakage in operational carbon. When on, the model uses the US supply-chain default rate; when off, leakage is excluded. ### Energy Code For tracking and reporting only. Does not affect benchmark EUI or fuel mix. ## Refrigerants ![Refrigerants settings.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-settings-refrigerants.png) ### Average Refrigerant Leakage Rates Annual and end-of-life refrigerant leakage rates are typically a model assumption, not a carbon reduction measures. In C.Scale, choose **LEED** or one of three **CIBSE TM65** types. The panel shows the installation, annual and end-of-life leakage rates for the choice. ## Compliance ![Compliance settings.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-settings-compliance.png) Select the compliance frameworks to track on the project: **CALGreen** (5.409.3 Product GWP Compliance–Prescriptive Path) and **LEED v4.1** (credits contributing to LEED v4.1 certification). --- ## Set a Baseline Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/create-a-project/set-a-baseline.md See how C.Scale sets a business as usual baseline for your project. Refine it with reduction measures, set another scenario as baseline and analyze it. C.Scale assesses the efficacy of carbon reduction measures in relative terms as a reduction in emissions from a baseline scenario. C.Scale determines the baseline from conservative assumptions representing a project in which no efforts have been made to reduce carbon emissions. The baseline provides a reference point for evaluating carbon reduction measures. * Baseline scenarios are **fully customizable.** * Baseline scenarios can be configured as **new construction, renovation or a combination of both**. * Baseline scenarios can be configured **to align with code**. * Baseline scenarios are flexible, and **any scenario can be tagged as the baseline**. ### Refining the Baseline In the left-hand panel, **select the scenario tagged "Project Baseline"**. ![Baseline scenario selected in the left-hand panel.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-baseline-selected.png) After selecting the baseline scenario in the left-hand panel, click **Edit Baseline** in the right-hand panel and the following warning is displayed. The warning serves as a reminder that you are editing the baseline, which is used as the reference for all other scenarios. ![Warning that the baseline is being edited.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-editing-baseline-warning.png) The baseline can be refined using the [**Carbon Reduction Measures**](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions.md) in the right-hand panel. ### Setting Another Scenario as the Baseline Any scenario within the project can be set as the baseline, and serve as the reference point for the project. To set another scenario as the baseline, click the **3-dot menu** to the right of the scenario name in the left-hand panel. ![Click the 3-dot menu to set another scenario as the baseline.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-scenario-row-menu-button.png) Within the menu, click **Set as Baseline** to set another scenario as the reference for comparison. ![Set any scenario as the baseline.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-scenario-menu.png) ### Analyzing the Baseline With the baseline scenario selected in the left-hand panel, analyze it using the following charts: * [Emissions Over Time](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/analyze-scenarios.md#emissions-over-time) * [Impacts By Category](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/analyze-scenarios.md#impacts-by-category) * [Impacts By Life Cycle Stage](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/analyze-scenarios.md#impacts-by-life-cycle-stage) * [Emissions Summary](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/analyze-scenarios.md#emissions-summary) --- ## Set Project Strategy Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions.md Create a scenario in C.Scale and apply carbon reduction measures for reuse, energy, structure, enclosure, interiors, services, refrigerants and sitework. ### Create a new scenario Scenarios are sets of carbon reduction measures that you define, analyze, and compare. Click the **+ New Scenario** button to create a new scenario where you can apply carbon reduction measures. The new scenario includes all carbon reduction measures applied to the baseline. You can also duplicate an existing scenario to create a new one. ![Create a new scenario.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-new-scenario-button.png) Name the new scenario and click **Create**. With the newly created scenario selected in the left-hand panel, use the right-hand panel to begin applying carbon reduction measures, which are generally divided into the following categories: * [**Reuse**](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures.md). These measures deal with the savings from reuse of existing building assemblies. * [**Form and Massing**](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/form-and-massing.md). These measures pertain to the impact the form of the building has on the amount of materials used in the structure and enclosure. * [**Energy Use**](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/energy-use.md). These measures pertain to reducing the use of energy in the building, and selecting clean sources of energy. * [**Structure**](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/structure.md). These measures pertain to selecting low carbon alternatives for the substructure and superstructure, including both lateral and gravity systems. * [**Enclosure**](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/enclosure.md). These measures pertain to selecting low carbon alternatives for the opaque enclosure, transparent enclosure, and roofing, and their replacement periods. * [**Interiors**](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/interiors.md). These measures pertain to selecting low carbon alternatives for the interior construction and fit-out, and their replacement periods. * [**Services**](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/services.md). These measures pertain to selecting low carbon alternatives for the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) services and PV Array, and their replacement periods. * [**Refrigerants**](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/refrigerants.md). These measures pertain to selecting low carbon alternatives for the refrigerants used in building services (e.g., HVAC+R). * [**Sitework**](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/sitework.md). These measures pertain to the hardscape and landscape surrounding the building, and assess their respective potential to add or sequester carbon. * [**Construction**](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/construction.md). These measures pertain to the construction-related (A5) emissions. --- ## Carbon Reduction Measures Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures.md Apply carbon reduction measures to scenarios in C.Scale to set a decarbonization target, using the key measures C.Scale can model consistently with data. To determine a decarbonization target, apply carbon reduction measures to scenarios. C.Scale highlights key carbon reduction measures that can be consistently modeled with available data. The measures included in C.Scale do not represent an exhaustive list of possible emission reduction strategies. --- ## Form and Massing Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/form-and-massing.md Set building perimeter, floor-to-floor height and window-to-wall ratio in C.Scale to model how form affects material use in structure and enclosure. ### **Building Perimeter** The building perimeter you enter. If you don't provide a value, C.Scale assumes the building is an extruded square. ### **Floor-to-Floor Height** The vertical distance between building floors in feet. The default value is 13’. ### Window-to-Wall Ratio (WWR) The ratio of windows to total wall area. The default value is .45. --- ## Energy Use Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/energy-use.md Cut operational carbon in C.Scale with an all electric building, an EUI target and clean power purchases, and size an onsite solar PV array with PVWatts. ## Energy ### All Electric Building The elimination of all onsite combustion and provision of 100% of the project’s energy use from electric sources. ### EUI Target The reduction of the building’s EUI by any of a number of strategies. If you haven’t entered a custom EUI, C.Scale estimates it via [ZeroTool](https://zerotool.org/). ### Clean Power Purchase The purchase of clean power through Direct Ownership, Green Retail Tariffs, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), Community Renewables or Utility Renewable Contracts (the five categories of renewables for which credit can be claimed in AIA 2030 commitment reporting) equivalent to the selected percentage of total energy use. The purchase of unbundled RECs should not be counted as a clean power purchase in C.Scale. ## Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Array System Design The addition of a solar PV array on the project site. The size of this array can be input in three forms: * **Percentage of Load.** The solar PV array is calculated where production is a percentage of the building's electrical demand. * **Nameplate Capacity.** The solar PV array' nameplate capacity in kW. * **Area.** The solar PV area size is input by its total area in square feet. #### Detailed Design * **Tilt (deg).** The tilt angle is the angle from horizontal of the photovoltaic modules in the array. For a fixed array, the tilt angle is the angle from horizontal of the array where 0° = horizontal, and 90° = vertical. For more information, please refer to C.Scale methodology for [Operational carbon](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/operational-carbon.md) and documentation from [PVWatts® Calculator](https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/). * **Azimuth (deg).** For a fixed array, the azimuth angle is the angle clockwise from true north describing the direction that the array faces. For an array with one-axis tracking, the azimuth angle is the angle clockwise from true north of the axis of rotation. The azimuth angle does not apply to arrays with two-axis tracking. The default value is an azimuth angle of 180° (south-facing) for locations in the northern hemisphere and 0° (north-facing) for locations in the southern hemisphere. For more information, please refer to C.Scale methodology for [Operational carbon](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/operational-carbon.md) and documentation from [PVWatts® Calculator](https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/). * **Losses.** The system losses account for performance losses not explicitly calculated by the PVWatts® model equations. The default value is 14%, based on standard PVWatts loss categories (soiling, shading, wiring, etc.). For the full breakdown and methodology, see [Operational Carbon](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/operational-carbon.md) in the C.Scale data model and the [PVWatts® Calculator documentation](https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/). --- ## Structure Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/structure.md Lower structural embodied carbon in C.Scale: compare mass timber, steel and concrete systems, set low carbon concrete, or work in Detailed Design. ## Simple Design #### **Existing to Remain** The reuse of a pre-existing structural system for a given percentage of the building's floor area. Note that these measures only affect upfront emissions; refurbishments are counted normally. #### Primary Structural System Specification of a structural system other than the system modeled in the baseline. Note that this is not strictly a carbon reduction measure, as the substitution of some structural systems with some others can lead to an increase in embodied emissions. * **Reinforced Concrete**. A structural system comprised of columns, beams, and slabs of concrete reinforced with steel that provides tensile strength. * **Mass Timber**. A structural system comprised of massive beams, panels, and columns, often assembled by aggregating many smaller timber elements. This approach assumes that timber elements are aggressively substituted for other structural materials. * **Wood Frame**. A structural system comprised of dimensional lumber, plywood sheathing, and reinforced concrete cores and podiums. * **Steel Frame**. A structural system comprised of steel columns, beams, and girders connected with rigid or pin joints. Floors are steel decking with a concrete topping slab. * **Hybrid Concrete-Steel**. A structural system that combines rigid steel frames with concrete columns, beams, and slabs. These hybrid structures are more materially intensive and may be used when there are significant seismic loads, in high-rise buildings, or for programs with very high live or environmental loads. #### Secondary Structural System Specification of a secondary structural system, and its associated percentage of the overall building structure. #### Structural Efficiency Specification of the the structural material intensity based on the chosen material. The selections made in this field sample the distribution of bills of materials (not carbon intensities). The underlying data is listed in [C.Scale's whole life carbon methodology](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c.scale-tm-data-model/embodied-carbon). #### Live Load The design live load, in psf or kPa, used to estimate structural quantities. C.Scale fills in a default you can override. #### Concrete Carbon Intensity The specification of concrete for a given strength class. Concrete emissions are assessed regionally. See [Structure](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/structure.md) in the C.Scale data model for details on how carbon intensity data is regionalized. > **Responsibly-sourced timber.** C.Scale counts carbon storage for all timber whenever D2 is in the project's scope. Only claim it if the wood is responsibly sourced. C.Scale recommends meeting at least two of three criteria (traceable supply chain, growing forest carbon stock, and certified/recycled/reclaimed material). See [Stored Carbon](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/stored-avoided-carbon.md) in the C.Scale data model for full criteria and methodology, or refer to procurement guidance from the [Climate Smart Wood Group](https://www.climatesmartwood.net/procurement/). ## Detailed Design The Detailed Design configurator supports the input of project-specific data. To begin using this feature, turn on **Detailed Design** within the Structure accordion, and then click "**Configure Structure**". ![Turn on "Detailed Design".](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-structure-detailed-design-toggle.png) ![Structure Detailed Design Configurator.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-structure-detailed-design-configurator.png) You can configure structural materials using the table and the following fields in the right-hand panel: #### Section and Subsection The structural section (substructure or superstructure) and subsection where the material is applied. #### Quantity The quantity of material. #### Material The material used in the structural design. #### Material Origin The source of the material. #### Service Life Number of years over which at least half of the material will be replaced. --- ## Enclosure Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/enclosure.md Lower enclosure embodied carbon in C.Scale: set reuse and assembly types for walls, glazing and roofing, or configure each assembly in Detailed Design. ## 😌 Simple Design ![Choose an assembly type for each part of the enclosure.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-enclosure-simple-design.png) ### Existing to Remain Each assembly has an **Existing to Remain** slider. #### **Solid Exterior Wall** The reuse of solid exterior wall for a given percentage of the building’s total enclosure. #### **Transparent Exterior Wall** The reuse of transparent exterior wall for a given percentage of the building’s total enclosure. #### **Roofing** The reuse of the roofing assembly for a given percentage of the building’s total roof area. Note: these reuse measures only affect upfront emissions; refurbishments are counted normally. ### Assembly Type Choose the **Cladding Type** for solid exterior walls, the **System Type** for transparent exterior walls, and the **Roof Type** for roofing. The **A1-A3 Value** shows the upfront carbon intensity of the chosen assembly. ### Takeoffs Material takeoffs are displayed in the **Form and Massing** section for the total exterior wall, solid exterior wall, transparent exterior wall, and roofing. ## 🤓 Detailed Design The Detailed Design configurator supports the input of project-specific data. To begin using this feature, turn on **Detailed Design** within the Enclosure accordion, and then click "**Configure Enclosure**". ![Turn on "Detailed Design".](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-enclosure-detailed-design-toggle.png) ![Enclosure Detailed Design Configurator.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-enclosure-detailed-design-configurator.png) ### Solid Exterior Wall Assemblies ![](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-enclosure-solid-exterior-wall.png) When more data is available, C.Scale allows you to define specific cladding assemblies, exterior insulation types, and wall framing assemblies. C.Scale applies your reuse and assembly type settings from the simple enclosure editor to an undeclared assembly that you can configure in greater detail. C.Scale uses your description of the solid exterior wall to filter the library to assemblies that meet your criteria, letting you see the range of potential carbon intensities available within and between your declared designs. You can configure solid exterior wall assemblies using the table and the following fields in the right-hand panel: #### Edit Materials Turn on to edit the assembly's individual materials in the table. #### Area The area of solid exterior wall where the assembly is applied. #### Cladding The outermost material layer exposed to weather. #### Continuous Insulation The insulation layer installed on the exterior side of the wall structure. #### Insulation Value The thermal resistance of the assembly, as an R-Value or RSI. C.Scale applies default values based on the project's climate zone. #### Sheathing The board layer between the insulation and the wall framing. #### Framing The primary structural material in the wall. #### Cavity Insulation The insulation installed in the wall framing cavity. #### Material Origin The source of the material. #### A1-3 Carbon Intensity The upfront carbon intensity of the configured assembly, taking into account the thickness of insulation required to achieve the insulation value. ### Transparent Exterior Wall Assemblies ![](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-enclosure-transparent-exterior-wall.png) When more data is available, C.Scale allows you to define specific glazing units, mullions, and insulation. C.Scale applies your reuse and assembly type settings from the simple enclosure editor to an undeclared assembly that you can configure in greater detail. C.Scale uses your description of the transparent exterior wall to filter the library to assemblies that meet your criteria, letting you see the range of potential carbon intensities available within and between your declared designs. You can configure transparent exterior wall assemblies using the table and the following fields in the right-hand panel: #### Edit Materials Turn on to edit the assembly's individual materials in the table. #### Area The area of transparent exterior wall where the assembly is applied. #### System Type The type of transparent assembly. #### Glazing Unit The transparent portion of a window assembly. #### Frame The frame material of a window assembly. #### Material Origin The source of the material. #### A1-3 Carbon Intensity The upfront carbon intensity of the configured assembly. ### Roofing Assemblies ![](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-enclosure-roofing.png) When more data is available, C.Scale allows you to define specific roof types, insulation, and R-Values/RSI. C.Scale applies your reuse and assembly type settings from the simple enclosure editor to an undeclared assembly that you can configure in greater detail. C.Scale uses your description of the roof to filter the library to assemblies that meet your criteria, letting you see the range of potential carbon intensities available within and between your declared designs. You can configure roofing assemblies using the table and the following fields in the right-hand panel: #### Edit Materials Turn on to edit the assembly's individual materials in the table. #### Area The area of roof where the assembly is applied. #### Roofing Assembly The type of roof assembly. #### Cover Board The board installed over the roof insulation to protect the membrane. #### Roof Insulation The insulation layer installed on the exterior side of the roof structure. #### Insulation Value The thermal resistance of the assembly, as an R-Value or RSI. #### Material Origin The source of the material. #### A1-3 Carbon Intensity The upfront carbon intensity of the configured assembly. --- ## Interiors Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/interiors.md Lower interiors embodied carbon in C.Scale: set the fitted-out floor area, then reuse and type for interior walls, flooring, ceilings and interior doors. ![The Interiors section: floor area with fit-out, then walls, flooring, ceilings and doors.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-interiors-carbon-intensity.png) ### Floor Area w/ Fit-Out The percentage of floor space that will be fitted out for occupation by building tenants. The default value is 70%. If tenant fit-out is outside the project scope, this field can be set to 0%. ### Interior Walls, Flooring, Ceilings and Interior Doors Each of these assemblies has the following fields: #### Existing to Remain The percentage of the assembly that is reused. Note that these measures only affect upfront emissions; refurbishments are counted normally. #### Type The typical wall, flooring, ceiling or door type. #### A1-3 GWP The upfront carbon intensity of the chosen type. --- ## Services Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/services.md Set conditioned area, MEP carbon intensity, reuse and service life in C.Scale, plus solar PV service life and ground coverage ratio for embodied carbon. ### Conditioned Area The percentage of total floor area that is heated or cooled. ### Carbon Intensity C.Scale evaluates embodied carbon in mechanical systems at two specification levels—standard performance and high performance—based on the total building square footage. This approach, and the data used in C.Scale, follow from the CLF study on building mechanical systems. Baseline buildings in C.Scale are always assumed to have a standard performance system. Scenarios that achieve an EUI reduction of more than 50% below the baseline are assumed to have a high performance system. Embodied carbon in MEP is a data-scarce category, and we cannot confidently describe the potential to reduce embodied carbon in MEP systems through specification. ![Choose from pre-defined MEP carbon intensities, or input a custom value.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-services-mep-carbon-intensity.png) **Existing to Remain** The reuse of MEP systems as a percentage of the total system. Note that these measures only affect upfront emissions; refurbishments are counted normally. #### Service Life The length of time over which a majority of the MEP systems will be replaced. ### PV Specification Embodied carbon in solar photovoltaics arrays is calculated using values from the peer-reviewed literature. A citation to the current data source is available in in the [Reference Data Sources](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c.scale-tm-data-model/reference-data) section of this guide. #### PV Service Life The length of time over which a majority of the PV systems will be replaced. #### Solar ground coverage ratio For any solar array entered as a decarbonization measure, this ratio describes the ratio of active solar cells to total array area. C.Scale's assumption is 0.7, representing an efficient solar layout. --- ## Refrigerants Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/refrigerants.md Reduce refrigerant emissions in C.Scale by setting total charge and refrigerant GWP, or configure HVAC+R equipment and refrigerants in Detailed Design. ## 😌 Simple Design ### Total Refrigerant Charge The reduction of the total quantity of refrigerants used in the buildings HVAC+R system. ![Choose from pre-defined refrigerant charges, or input a custom value.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-refrigerants-total-charge.png) ### Refrigerant GWP The average global warming potential (GWP) of refrigerants used in the buildings HVAC+R system. Throughout C.Scale, three options are given for specification-related options: High Carbon, Average, and Low Carbon. Typically, these refer to the 80th, 50th, and 20th percentile of GWP values for available materials. We were unable to replicate this methodology for refrigerants, though, as the overall distribution of refrigerants skews very high–and this highly skewed distribution doesn’t represent the choices designers are making on their projects. In the refrigerant model, these three choices are keyed to specific refrigerants as follows: ![Choose from pre-defined refrigerant GWPs, or input a custom value.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-refrigerants-gwp.png) ## 🤓 Detailed Design The Detailed Design configurator supports the input of project-specific data. To begin using this feature, turn on **Detailed Design** within the Refrigerant accordion, and then click "**Configure Refrigerants**". ![Turn on "Detailed Design".](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-refrigerants-detailed-design-toggle.png) ![Refrigerants Detailed Design Configurator.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-refrigerants-detailed-design-configurator.png) You can configure refrigerants using the table and the following fields in the right-hand panel: #### Count The quantity of equipment. #### Equipment Type The type of equipment, which determines the refrigerant leakage rate. #### Charge The refrigerant charge associated with the equipment. #### Refrigerant Identifier The type and purity of the refrigerant included in the equipment. #### Refrigerant GWP The GWP of the refrigerant identifier. #### Refrigerant Type The chemical composition of the refrigerant identifier. #### ASHRAE Safety Class The ASHRAE safety class of the refrigerant identifier, which denotes the toxicity and flammability of the refrigerant identifier. --- ## Sitework Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/sitework.md Model site carbon in C.Scale: mark the site greenfield or brownfield, set planted and high carbon storage areas, and choose a hardscape carbon intensity. When you enter a site area, select whether the site has been previously developed. If previously developed, C.Scale treats it as a brownfield site with no carbon sequestered in its soil and existing landscape. If not previously developed, C.Scale treats it as a greenfield site with preexisting vegetation. ### Planted Area Set the percentage of site area, minus the building footprint, which is planted. To calculate emissions from the removal of above-ground biomass, C.Scale treats the site as vegetated with regionally-specific "low carbon storage" plants (such as no-mow turfgrass or other herbaceous perennials) at 50% of the site's carrying capacity. All unplanted area is assumed to be hardscape. #### High Carbon Storage Appears once **Planted Area** is above 0%. Set the percentage of the planted site area comprised of a high carbon storage landscape, such as dense broadleaf shrubs and trees in a matrix of no-mow turfgrass or herbaceous perennials. ### Hardscape Carbon Intensity All site area not designated as planted is assumed to be hardscaped. The specification of the pervious and impervious surfaces on the building site (outside the building enclosure. These specification levels do not describe specific materials or assemblies. Instead, they approximate the 80th, 50th, and 20th percentile of the distribution of all hardscape assemblies based on a set of standard details. ![Choose from pre-defined hardscape carbon intensities, or input a custom value.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-sitework-hardscape-carbon-intensity.png) #### Service Life The length of time over which a majority of the site's hardscape will be replaced. --- ## Construction Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/construction.md Set a custom carbon intensity for A5 construction activities and pre-construction demolition in C.Scale, and see the defaults used when you have no data. ### A5.2 Construction Activities Enter a custom carbon intensity (kgCO₂e/sf) for emissions related to construction activities and land use. The default value assumes 40 kgCO₂e/m² for construction emissions, which includes fuel, tools, and energy used on-site. This default is adjustable based on project-specific data. For greenfield sites, emissions from soil and vegetation are also calculated, using regional data to estimate carbon release from land development. ### A5.1 Demolished Area C.Scale calculates pre-construction demolition emissions per floor area of the demolished building, using a default of 35 kgCO₂e/m². This is a data-scarce category. Where project-specific data is available, you can override this default. --- ## Product Recommendations Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/carbon-reduction-measures/product-recommendations.md Find lower carbon products with their own EPDs for the generic materials in your design, compare them in the product library, and assign one in C.Scale. C.Scale recommends real products, each with its own EPD, for the generic materials in your design. Use these recommendations to find lower-carbon alternatives and to replace a generic material with a specific product. To see recommendations, turn on **Detailed Design** for a category and open its configurator. Select a material in the table. The right-hand panel shows the material's data and a set of **Product Suggestions**. ![Structure configurator with a ready-mixed concrete selected and its product suggestions in the right-hand panel.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-configurator-product-suggestions.png) Product Suggestions lists up to three products that match the material's category and properties, such as concrete strength class. Each one shows its A1–A3 GWP and the percentage change from the generic material. ![Product suggestions for a ready-mixed concrete.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-product-suggestions.png) Click **See all products** to open the product library for that material. The library opens filtered to the material's category and properties, and to products with a GWP at or below the generic material's. You can change the filters, search by name or manufacturer, filter by facility location, and limit results to EPDs that are valid through the project's completion. Click **Compare** on products to see them side by side. ![The product library, filtered to products that can replace the selected material.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-product-library.png) Click **Assign** to use a product for that material. C.Scale then calculates the material's emissions from the product's EPD instead of the generic material. --- ## Analyze Scenarios Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/analyze-scenarios.md Read the charts for a C.Scale scenario: cumulative emissions over time, and whole life carbon broken down by category and by life cycle stage (A1-A3 to D). Analyze scenarios using the following charts in the **This Scenario** tab. ### Emissions Over Time This figure describes the cumulative carbon emissions of a building over time. As a chart of cumulative emissions, the height of the bar in each year is the total emissions associated with the building up to and including that year rather than only the emissions associated with that year. ![This figure shows cumulative emissions over time. Looking at effects over time facilitates an understanding of how different carbon emission reduction strategies perform over a building's lifetime.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-chart-cumulative-emissions-over-time.png) For definitions of chart elements (Reduction from Baseline, Stored Carbon, Avoided Energy Emissions, etc.), see the [Glossary](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/glossary.md#carbon-accounting-and-lca-terms). Hover over a bar to see the emissions summary for that year. This is useful for checking how your project performs against time-based targets (e.g. a 2030 net zero target). Hover over the final year to see total emissions across the analysis period. Note that these numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred and may not sum to net emissions in all cases. ### Impacts By Category The **Life Cycle Emissions** chart shows the scenario's impacts **By Category** or **By Life Cycle Stage**. Switch between them above the chart. By Category breaks down the building's contribution to operational carbon emissions (B6), embodied carbon emissions (A1-A3, A4-A5, B1, B2-B5, C1-C4, D), and biogenic carbon storage by category. This figure represents the total cumulative emissions associated with the scenario across the entire analysis period. When comparing C.Scale results to wbLCA results at later project phases, use this breakdown to confirm whether your design is within the carbon budget for a particular category. ![This figure shows total emissions by category. Comparing the relative contribution of each category can help in identifying the largest contributors and targeting reduction strategies accordingly.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-chart-emissions-by-scope-category.png) For definitions of each life cycle stage (A1-A3, A4-A5, B1, B2-B5, B6, C1-C4, D), see [Goal and Scope](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/goal-and-scope.md). ### Impacts By Life Cycle Stage By Life Cycle Stage breaks down the building's contribution to operational carbon emissions (B6), embodied carbon emissions (A1-A3, A4-A5, B1, B2-B5, C1-C4, D), and biogenic carbon storage by life cycle stage. This figure represents the total cumulative emissions associated with the scenario across the entire analysis period. When comparing C.Scale results to wbLCA results at later project phases, use this breakdown to confirm whether your design is within the carbon budget for a particular life cycle stage. ![This figure shows total emissions by life cycle stage. Comparing the relative contribution of each life cycle stage can help in identifying when emissions occur in the lifecycle and targeting reduction strategies accordingly.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-chart-emissions-by-lca-stage.png) The categories shown are: Energy Use, Structure, Enclosure, Interiors, Services, Refrigerants, Sitework, Demolition, and Construction Activities. These correspond to the building components and processes covered by C.Scale's whole life carbon model. ### Emissions Summary This chart shows the scenario's total emissions over the analysis period as a stacked bar, by emissions type. Below it, the scenario's embodied carbon intensity is placed as a percentile of the Carbon Leadership Forum's WBLCA Benchmark Study; see [Benchmarking](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/benchmarks.md). ![The Total Emissions bar chart and the benchmark percentile.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-chart-emissions-summary.png) See the [Glossary](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/glossary.md#carbon-accounting-and-lca-terms) for definitions of all chart elements. --- ## Manage Scenarios Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions/manage-scenarios.md Use the scenario menu in C.Scale to rename, duplicate or delete a scenario, set it as the project baseline, or set it as the Basis of Design for its phase. Manage a scenario by clicking the **3-dot menu** to the right of the scenario name in the left-hand panel. ![Manage a scenario.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-scenario-menu.png) The baseline scenario's menu has only **Rename Scenario** and **Duplicate Scenario**. ### Rename a Scenario Within the menu, click **Rename Scenario**. Modify the scenario's name and click **Rename**. ### Set as Baseline Within the menu, click **Set as Baseline** to make the scenario the project's reference for comparison. See [Set a Baseline](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/create-a-project/set-a-baseline.md#setting-another-scenario-as-the-baseline). ### Set as Basis of Design Within the menu, click **Set as Basis of Design** to make the scenario the Basis of Design for its project phase. On the Basis of Design scenario, this item reads **Remove Basis of Design**. See [Set Basis of Design Scenario](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/compare-scenarios/set-basis-of-design-scenario.md). ### Duplicate a Scenario Duplicating a scenario creates a new scenario with the same carbon reduction measures as the original, which is useful when building a sequence of strategies where each builds on the last. Within the menu, click **Duplicate Scenario**. The duplicated scenario appears with "(copy)" at the end of its name. ### Delete a Scenario Within the menu, click **Delete Scenario**. Confirm you would like to delete the scenario by clicking **Delete**. --- ## Compare Scenarios Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/compare-scenarios.md Compare your baseline and decarbonization scenarios in C.Scale with charts of emissions over time and cumulative embodied and operational carbon. After [constructing scenarios](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/reduce-emissions.md), compare them in the **Compare Scenarios** tab. You can compare strategies at any stage of the project, both graphically and numerically. Use the eye icon toggles in the left-hand panel to add or remove scenarios from the Compare charts. Scenarios will be plotted in the order in which they appear in the left-hand panel list. ### Emissions Over Time This figure compares each scenario to the baseline across the analysis period. ![Time series comparison of baseline and three scenarios for a project.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-chart-compare-emissions-over-time.png) Note that some carbon reduction measures can actually increase emissions, an effect that can lead to confusion in interpreting the Cumulative Emissions figure. For instance, substituting the structural system can increase or decrease the embodied emissions depending on the nature of the change, or the addition of a PV array incurs embodied emissions even if it lower operational emissions over time. Accordingly, the patterns in this figure require interpretation based on the carbon reduction measures modeled for each scenario. ### Emissions Summary This figure compares the cumulative emissions for each scenario at the end of the analysis period. ![Comparison of embodied and operational emissions and stored carbon over 60 years.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-chart-compare-emissions-summary.png) In addition to comparing magnitude of emissions at the end of the analysis period, this chart is useful for comparing the proportion of emissions between scenarios. In comparing these proportions, however, please note the selected analysis period. Operational emissions accrue over time, so the proportion of embodied to operational emissions is highly sensitive to the study's time horizon. The time horizon in C.Scale is shorter than those most often used in wbLCA in order to support project teams in meeting time-based climate targets. See the [Glossary](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/glossary.md#carbon-accounting-and-lca-terms) for definitions of all chart elements. --- ## Set Basis of Design Scenario Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/compare-scenarios/set-basis-of-design-scenario.md Set a scenario as the Basis of Design for each project phase in C.Scale. It becomes the reference for portfolio comparisons and AIA DDx carbon reports. After [comparing scenarios](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/compare-scenarios.md), you can choose the one that best suits your desired emissions scenario and set it as your "Basis of Design". Set a scenario as your Basis of Design by clicking the **3-dot menu** to the right of the scenario name in the left-hand panel. ![3-dot menu to the right of the scenario name.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-scenario-row-menu-button.png) Within the menu, click **Set as Basis of Design**. Each project phase has its own Basis of Design. ![Set Basis of Design scenario.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-scenario-menu-set-as-target.png) The **Basis of Design** scenario also becomes your reference scenario when [comparing different projects within your portfolio](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/benefits-of-an-organization-account/create-a-portfolio.md) and for [AIA DDx Reporting](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/benefits-of-an-organization-account/aia-ddx-reporting.md). --- ## Organization Features Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/benefits-of-an-organization-account.md See what a C.Scale organization account adds: shared projects, team collaboration, portfolios, chart exports, project reports and AIA DDx reporting. C.Scale's organization account makes whole life carbon assessment possible at the firm level—not just project by project. By sharing projects across your team, you can get to analysis on 100% of your portfolio, coordinate across disciplines, and ensure every designer is working from the same carbon model. Organization features are designed around collaboration: multiple team members can work on the same project simultaneously, with visibility into who is working on what. --- ## Sharing and Collaboration Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/benefits-of-an-organization-account/sharing-and-collaboration.md Move projects into your C.Scale organization account so your team can work on them together, and invite outside consultants to edit one project as guests. ⚡ **Organization feature.** This feature is only available with a C.Scale Organization Account. ### Collaborate within your organization Within an organization account, you can collaborate on projects with other members. To collaborate on projects in your personal account, you must first move them to the shared organization account. To do so, click on the **3-dot menu** to the right of the project name. Choose **Move Project**. ![Choose Move Project from the 3-dot menu.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-list-move-menu.png) A pop-up window opens up, choose your Organization under **Destination workspace** and click **Move 1 project**. ![Select the destination workspace and move the project.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-move-project-dialog.png) To switch to the **Organization Account**, click on the drop-down menu in the top-left corner of your screen where it currently says "**Personal account**." From there, select the organization name (in this case, C.Scale Demo). ![Choose your Organization name in the drop-down.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-account-switcher.png) Awesome! You’re now on the Organization Dashboard. Here, you can view all the projects your organization is working on in real-time. ![Organization Dashboard view.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-org-dashboard.png) Click on any project to see who in your organization has worked on it and made updates. In the left-hand panel, you’ll find a history showing when the project was last edited and by whom. ![See a summary of the project scope.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-panel-updated-by.png) ### Collaborate with external guests Building design and decarbonization is a team sport. Often, there will be many stakeholders who need to work on a model simultaneously - the structural engineer might input the structural quantities while an interior designer adds the room and finish schedule. If these consultants are external to your organization, you will need to invite that consultant to collaborate on the project. This will give that person edit access to a specific project within your org. To collaborate, click the **Collaborate** icon in the upper left hand project panel (or open **Invite Collaborators** in the **Project Settings** panel). ![](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-share-button.png) This will open the **Project Settings** panel with **Invite Collaborators** selected. This is where you can send invitations, view current external project members, and remove guests from the project. ![](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-settings-share.png) --- ## Chart Exports Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/benefits-of-an-organization-account/chart-exports.md Download any C.Scale chart as a PNG with a transparent background for slide decks, or as a vector PDF for high-resolution use and editing in Illustrator. ⚡ **Organization feature.** This feature is only available with a C.Scale Organization Account. Exporting graphics was a highly requested feature! To get started, click the **Download button** located on the right side of all the charts available on C.Scale. ![Handy dandy download button.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-chart-download-button.png) From the drop-down, choose to download the chart in either **PNG** or **PDF** format. ![C.Scale gives the option to download either PNG (raster) or PDF (vector) graphics.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-chart-export-menu.png) The PNG downloads with a **transparent background** so you can add it to your presentation decks. The PDF is a scalable vector graphic - useful for high-resolution presentations or for post-processing the graphic (e.g, changing the colors in a vector-based editing program like Adobe Illustrator). ![Time series chart showing emissions over time.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-chart-exported-emissions-over-time.png) --- ## Project Reports Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/benefits-of-an-organization-account/project-reports.md Export a C.Scale project report as a PDF summary or an XLSX data file covering the baseline, the Basis of Design and other scenarios you select. ⚡ **Organization feature.** This feature is only available with a C.Scale Organization Account. To export a full project report, follow the same export flow as you use for [embodied carbon DDx reporting](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/benefits-of-an-organization-account/aia-ddx-reporting.md#individual-project-reporting). > Note that you cannot export any project-level reports until you have set a **Basis of Design** scenario. Inside the project, below the project name, you'll find the Export (download) icon. Click on it and select the **Project Report (PDF) or Project Data (XLSX).** ![](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-export-menu.png) Choose the **Project Phase**, which sets the report's Basis of Design, then select up to five scenarios for the PDF or seven for the XLSX (including the baseline and Basis of Design) to include in the report. ### Project Report (PDF) This report is a PDF summarizing the overall project, the baseline scenario, the Basis of Design scenario, and a small number of supporting scenarios. Curious to see any example report? Create a free organization and try it for yourself! ### Project Data (XLSX) This report is an Excel sheet with raw data for the overall project, the baseline scenario, the Basis of Design scenario, and a small number of supporting scenarios. --- ## AIA DDx Reporting Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/benefits-of-an-organization-account/aia-ddx-reporting.md Export AIA 2030 Commitment DDx reports from C.Scale: a PDF embodied carbon report for one project, or an Excel bulk export for a portfolio or collection. ⚡ **Organization feature.** This feature is only available with a C.Scale Organization Account. To create AIA DDx reports, make sure to set the [Basis of Design](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/compare-scenarios/set-basis-of-design-scenario.md) scenario for all the projects you want to include in the report. In C.Scale, you can create AIA DDx reports in two ways: individually (for embodied carbon reporting) or in bulk (for holistic reporting). ### Individual Project Reporting > Note that you cannot export any project-level reports until you have set a **Basis of Design** scenario. Inside the project, below the project name, you'll find the Export (download) icon. Click on it and select the **AIA 2030 Commitment Embodied Carbon Report (PDF)**. ![](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-project-export-menu.png) A pop-up menu opens up where you can choose the **Project Phase** and **Export**. ![Choose the Project Phase and Export.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-aia-ddx-export-dialog.png) The PDF report is designed to mirror the AIA DDx Reporting interface, making it easy for you to report. Just copy the content from the boxes and paste it directly into the Reporting interface! Easy, peasy! ![AIA DDx PDF Report example generated from C.Scale.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-report-aia-ddx-pdf.png) ### Bulk Reporting To bulk report multiple projects, go to a Portfolio or Collection and click the **Export** (download) icon in the left-hand panel. From the drop-down, choose **AIA 2030 DDx Bulk Export.** ![](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-portfolio-export-menu.png) A pop-up menu will appear, displaying all the projects in that portfolio or collection. You can either select All Projects or choose individual projects one by one that you want to report on. Once you've made your selection, click the Export button to proceed. ![Choose the projects you want to report on.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-aia-ddx-bulk-export-dialog.png) The exported Excel file contains all the essential information you need for reporting to the AIA 2030 Commitment. Below is an example of what the file may look like. ![AIA DDx Bulk Export Report example generated from C.Scale.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-report-aia-ddx-bulk-export-xlsx.png) --- ## Portfolio Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/benefits-of-an-organization-account/create-a-portfolio.md Create a static collection or dynamic portfolio in C.Scale, set shared scope and grid assumptions, and compare whole life carbon across your projects. ⚡ **Organization feature.** This feature is only available with a C.Scale Organization Account. A **Portfolio** lets you compare all active projects in your organization across the same scope categories and LCA stages. Portfolios can be **Static Collections** (a manually curated list) or **Dynamic Portfolios** (criteria-based, auto-populated by use case filter). See the [Glossary](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/glossary.md#app-concepts) for definitions. From the Organization Dashboard, begin by clicking the **+ New Portfolio** button on the **Dynamic Portfolios** tab, or **+ New Collection** on the **Static Collections** tab. ![Create your portfolio.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-org-dashboard-portfolios.png) 1. **`Static Collections:`** You can manually add projects to create a **Static Collection.** ![Create a Static Collection.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-create-portfolio-static-step-1.png) Projects can be added once to create a Static Collection. ![Choose projects to add to the Static Collection.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-create-portfolio-static-step-2.png) Fill in the required information and click **Create**. ![In a few simple steps, create a new collection.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-create-portfolio-static-step-3.png) 2. **`Dynamic Portfolios:`** Dynamic Portfolios are criteria-based and are created by filtering for **Primary Use Type** and **Status**. ![Create Dynamic Portfolio.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-create-portfolio-dynamic-step-1.png) Select the **Primary Use Type,** and the app will automatically add all the Projects in your Organization to the Portfolio. C.Scale will also **automatically** include any new projects with the same Primary Use Case into the Dynamic Portfolio. ![Choose the Primary Use Type to add to the Dynamic Portfolio.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-create-portfolio-dynamic-step-2.png) Fill in the required information and click **Create**. ![In a few simple steps, create a new portfolio.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-create-portfolio-step-3.png) After creation, click on the desired **Portfolio Name** to open up the portfolio view. ![Portfolio view across projects.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-portfolio-view.png) **`Note:`** All projects within the Portfolio are compared based on the [Basis of Design scenarios](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/compare-scenarios/set-basis-of-design-scenario.md) set within the project. ## Portfolio Settings These settings apply at the portfolio level, affecting the Basis of Design scenario for each project. This ensures all projects in the portfolio share the same underlying assumptions and remain comparable. To refine the portfolio, click the **Portfolio Settings** (gear) icon in the left-hand panel. For a collection, the icon is **Collection Settings**. ![Portfolio Settings button in the left-hand panel.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-all-portfolio-settings-button.png) ### Scope ![Scope settings.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-portfolio-settings-scope.png) Refine your scope of analysis at the portfolio level by including or excluding LCA stages or parts of the building to meet reporting goals or facilitate comparison within the portfolio. C.Scale saves any decarbonization measures in excluded parts of the portfolio scope but makes them temporarily unavailable while they are out of scope. When you restore their scope, the values reappear as last entered. #### Analysis Period Select an analysis period to determine over how many years the analysis takes place. #### Life Cycle Stages Clear a life cycle stage to remove its emissions from the C.Scale model. A1-A3 is always included. #### Categories Clear a category to remove it from the C.Scale model. ### General ![General settings.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-portfolio-settings-general.png) #### Unit System Modify the unit system for the portfolio's calculations. #### Portfolio Name The name of the portfolio. ### Electricity Grid ![](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-portfolio-settings-electricity-grid.png) #### Future Scenario The future of the electric grid is uncertain. C.Scale gives you the choice between three future scenarios, each derived from NREL's [CAMBIUM model](https://www.nrel.gov/analysis/cambium.html). * **Mid-Case Decarbonization**. Average estimates for inputs such as technology costs, fuel prices, and demand growth. No inclusion of nascent technologies. Electric sector policies as they existed in September 2022, with the assumption that the Inflation Reduction Act's Production and Investment Tax Credits do not phase out. This metric is described in NREL's Cambium model as "Midcase." * **Slow Decarbonization**. Average estimates as in the mid-case scenario, but with an assumption that battery and renewable energy costs are high. This scenario assumes that the thresholds set by the Inflation Reduction Act's Production and Investment Tax Credits are not met and, as such, they do not phase out. This metric is described in NREL's Cambium model as "High Cost of Renewable Energy." * **Rapid Decarbonization**. Average estimates for inputs such as technology costs, fuel prices, and demand growth. Nascent technologies are included. Electric sector policies as they existed in September 2022, with the assumption that the Inflation Reduction Act's Production and Investment Tax Credits do not phase out. High-level assumption that the national electricity grid's carbon emissions in 2050 are 5% of their 2005 level. This metric is described in NREL's Cambium model as "95% decarbonization by 2050." #### Emission Metric C.Scale provides two metrics to account for building emissions, both derived from NREL's [CAMBIUM model](https://www.nrel.gov/analysis/cambium.html) and using GWP-100 characterization factors. * **Average Emission Rate (AER)**. See [Glossary](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/glossary.md#electricity-grid-metrics). * **Long-Run Marginal Emission Rates (LRMER)**. See [Glossary](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/glossary.md#electricity-grid-metrics). ### Refrigerants ![](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-ui-portfolio-settings-refrigerants.png) #### Average Refrigerant Leakage Rates The leakage rate preset applied to every project in the portfolio: **LEED** or one of three **CIBSE TM65** types. ## Compare Projects within Portfolio Use the eye icon toggles in the left-hand panel to add or remove projects from the Total Emissions chart. ### Total Emissions Over 60 Years This figure compares the total emissions of each project in the portfolio over the analysis period, one bar per project. ![Comparison of project emissions over 60 years across portfolio.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/cscale-chart-portfolio-total-emissions.png) Choose to view emissions in kgCO₂e/m² or tCO₂e. For definitions of chart elements (Refrigerant Emissions, Electricity Emissions, On-Site Combustion, Embodied Carbon Emissions, Stored Carbon, Avoided Energy Emissions), see the [Glossary](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/glossary.md#carbon-accounting-and-lca-terms). Hover over a bar to see the emissions summary for that project. Note that these numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred and may not sum to net emissions in all cases. --- ## Glossary Source: https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/glossary.md Look up C.Scale terms: projects, baselines, scenarios, portfolios, carbon accounting terms like EUI and ECI, and grid emission rates AER and LRMER. ## App Concepts * A **Project** includes a baseline and one or more decarbonization scenarios. * A **Baseline** is a scenario for a project where no attempts have been made to reduce carbon emissions. To define a baseline, C.Scale makes a set of "business as usual" assumptions based on user inputs. When C.Scale's "business as usual" assumptions are not appropriate, they can be refined. * A **Scenario** is a set of strategies to lower a project's carbon emissions. Scenarios are constructed individually and compared against one another in the [Compare Scenarios](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/compare-scenarios.md) tab. * A **Portfolio** includes all active projects in your organization, allowing for an "apples to apples" comparison across the same scope categories and LCA stages. * A **Static Collection** is a manually curated list of projects. * A **Dynamic Portfolio** is criteria-based: created using a Primary Use Type filter, it automatically includes any new projects matching that filter. * A **Basis of Design** scenario is the scenario designated, for each project phase, as the reference for [portfolio comparison](https://docs.cscale.io/users-guide/compare-scenarios/set-basis-of-design-scenario.md) and AIA DDx reporting. ## Carbon Accounting and LCA Terms * **EUI (Energy Use Intensity)**. Energy use by the building per unit area per year (in kBtu/sf/yr or kWh/m²/yr). * **ECI (Embodied Carbon Intensity)**. Embodied carbon emissions from the building over the analysis period divided by building area, typically expressed in kgCO₂e/m². * **Embodied Carbon Emissions**. Cumulative emissions associated with building materials, their replacements, and landscape maintenance. * **Refrigerant Emissions**. Cumulative emissions associated with refrigerant use in building services. * **Electricity Emissions**. Cumulative emissions associated with energy use from the electrical grid. * **On-Site Combustion**. Cumulative emissions associated with onsite fossil fuel combustion. * **Reduction from Baseline**. Cumulative reduction in emissions of the current scenario as compared to the baseline. ## Electricity Grid Metrics * **Average Emission Rate (AER)**. Annual emission factors calculated by summing total generation of all resources in a given year on a MWh basis. Includes precombustion emissions from fossil gas leakage. Described in NREL's Cambium model as "AER Load: Combustion + Precombustion." * **Long-Run Marginal Emission Rates (LRMER)**. Emission rates of the next unit of electricity considering the grid's structure as variable. Preferable to AER for buildings, which are long-lived assets with a marginal influence on grid evolution. Described in NREL's Cambium model as "LRMER: Combustion + Precombustion." --- # Tally User's Guide --- ## Tally User's Guide Source: https://docs.cscale.io/tally-2-0-users-guide.md Install Tally 2.0, the Revit plug-in for whole building LCA. Check what you need, run the installer, open Tally in Revit and sign in with C.Scale. > 🚧 **BETA.** Tally 2.0 is in beta. It is not a finished product, and is not appropriate for reporting or compliance of any kind. Tally 2.0 is a Revit plug-in that runs a whole building life cycle assessment (wbLCA) on your model as you design it. It reports more than whole life carbon: six impact categories plus mass, across the full life cycle of the building. You associate the materials in your Revit model with LCA data, tell Tally how to translate model geometry into the quantities an assessment needs, and get results that update as the model changes, without leaving Revit. Tally 2.0 connects to C.Scale, so takeoffs from a Revit model can be pushed into a C.Scale project as a scenario and worked on by people who don't use Revit. Connecting is not required, but we recommend it on every project. ### About the beta The beta is not a finished product. It will be incomplete, it will occasionally crash, and it may return incorrect results. Treat this version as a sandbox, not a production tool; models you build during the beta may not carry forward into later releases. The beta is not appropriate for reporting or compliance of any kind. We will collect detailed usage data about your use of Tally during the beta phase, beyond the current bounds of the terms of use. Do not add any private or confidential data to the beta release. ### Who can use Tally 2.0 Tally 2.0 is available to every organization on a paid C.Scale plan. You sign in with your existing C.Scale credentials. There's no separate Tally account, license key or serial number. If your organization isn't on a paid plan and you'd like access, please [**get in touch**](mailto:Tally@cscale.io)**.** ### What you need * **Windows.** Tally 2.0 is a Revit add-in and runs only on Windows. * **Revit 2024, 2025, 2026 or 2027.** Earlier versions aren't supported. * **A C.Scale login belonging to a paid organization.** Tally 2.0 runs alongside Tally 1.0. Installing it won't disturb an existing Tally 1.0 setup, and both can sit in Revit at the same time. ### Download the installer [**Download the Tally 2.0 installer here**](https://ow1lorhogychy37d.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/Tally2_26.09.04.09.msi). ### Run the installer Close Revit before you begin. Note that add-ins installed while Revit is running may not appear until it restarts. Double-click the installer and follow the installation sequence. ![The first page of the installer.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/tally-ui-setup-wizard.png) > Note that you may see a message about an unknown publisher or an unverified source. This is expected during the beta. We're still completing the plug-in's digital signing. ### Open Tally in Revit Reopen Revit. Tally appears in the top ribbon under **Add-Ins → Tally 2.0**. ![Tally 2.0 in the Add-Ins tab of the Revit ribbon.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/tally-ui-revit-add-ins-ribbon.png) ### Sign in Log in with your existing C.Scale credentials. Once you're logged in, select the organization you want to work under. If you belong to more than one, choose the paid organization you're running Tally through. You're in. Next, see [**Modeling in Tally 2.0**](https://docs.cscale.io/tally-2-0-users-guide/modeling-in-tally.md) for the workflow, or the [**Tally 2.0 FAQ**](https://docs.cscale.io/tally-2-0-users-guide/faq.md) for short answers. --- ## Modeling in Tally 2.0 Source: https://docs.cscale.io/tally-2-0-users-guide/modeling-in-tally.md Follow the Tally 2.0 workflow in Revit: set the Object of Study, connect to C.Scale, assign materials and takeoff methods, then read and export results. > 🚧 **BETA.** Tally 2.0 is in beta. It is not a finished product, and is not appropriate for reporting or compliance of any kind. This page walks the shape of the tool rather than every field, so you know where you are and what to do next. ### The basic workflow In Tally 2.0, the basic workflow is: 1. [**Set the Object of Study**](#set-the-object-of-study). Tell Tally what counts as the building. 2. [**Connect to C.Scale**](#connect-to-cscale). Link the model to a C.Scale project and scenario, so your takeoffs land somewhere the rest of your team can use them. Not mandatory, but we recommend it on every project. 3. [**Work through the Project Browser**](#work-through-the-project-browser). Define every family and material in scope. 1. [**Assign Entries & Materials**](#assign-entries--materials). Match each Revit family to the Tally material database. 2. [**Define Materials & Takeoff Methods**](#define-materials--takeoff-methods). Set how Tally measures each material. 3. [**Working with linked models**](#working-with-linked-models). Define materials on elements that come from a link, and know where those definitions live. 4. [**Read the Results**](#read-the-results). Read the impacts, and export them. You don't have to finish one step before looking at the next. Results update as definitions change, so it's normal to move back and forth. > Tally saves into your Revit model, so you save with Revit. Closing the Tally window does not save your work. Use Revit's own save before you close anything. ### Set the Object of Study The Object of Study is where you tell Tally what to include: which categories, worksets, phases, and linked models make up the building. * If your project reuses an existing building and you want to see the savings from reused materials, include the **Existing** phase. * To compare Revit design options, switch to **Design Option Comparison** and select at least two. The order in which you select them determines the order in which they appear in results. Primary options are included by default. ![Select the categories, worksets, phases, and linked models that make up the building.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/tally-ui-object-of-study.png) ### Connect to C.Scale Connecting a Revit model to C.Scale lets you push its takeoffs into a C.Scale project as a scenario, so people who don't open Revit can work with the same numbers. #### Connect every project Connecting is not required. You can run a complete assessment in Tally without ever linking to C.Scale. We recommend connecting anyway, on every project, because a connected scenario does things Tally on its own cannot: * **Reporting.** Connected scenarios are what C.Scale's project reporting runs on. Reporting from Tally takeoffs, including AIA 2030, LEED, and CALGreen, is planned for Tally 2.0's commercial release in January 2027. * **The whole building, not just the model.** A C.Scale project covers what the Revit model doesn't: services, site, refrigerants, and the rest. Connecting puts your Tally results in that context instead of leaving them on their own. * **Portfolio comparison.** A connected scenario sits in your organization's portfolio, so you can compare the project against your others. * **Results outside Revit.** Anyone in your organization can open the scenario in C.Scale and work with the same numbers without opening Revit. #### What the connection covers The connection carries **structure**, **enclosure**, and **interiors** only. Materials in any other category, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, pipes, and light fixtures, stay in Tally and are not sent to C.Scale. #### Connect a model Open **Project Data** and find the **C.Scale Connection** card. Choose a **Project**, then choose a **Scenario**, then click **Connect**. You can also reach this from the **C.Scale** button in the Project Browser header. Connecting pushes your takeoffs to C.Scale straight away, and writes the link only if that push succeeds. If the push fails, the model is left as it was rather than connected but never synced. The connection is stored on the Revit model, so it travels with the Revit file. ![](https://docs.cscale.io/images/tally-ui-cscale-connection.png) #### Push takeoffs with Sync Tally never syncs on its own. Takeoffs are sent to C.Scale when you connect a model, when you change its connection, and when you click **Sync**, and at no other time. To sync, click **Sync** on the **C.Scale Connection** card, or the **C.Scale** button in the Project Browser header. Note that a sync replaces the structure, enclosure, and interiors materials already in the target scenario with what your Revit model currently holds. If someone has edited those materials in C.Scale, a sync will overwrite that work, so it's worth a word with them first. The last-synced time records successful syncs only. If a sync fails, your existing connection is left exactly as it was rather than half-applied, so you can fix the problem and try again. #### Change or disconnect **Change** re-points the model at a different project or scenario. Like connecting, it pushes first and updates the link only if that push succeeds. **Disconnect** clears the link immediately. Everything you have already synced stays in C.Scale, and the scenario is yours to keep working on there. Disconnecting a Tally model never removes data from C.Scale. Project and scenario names are read from C.Scale each time, so if someone renames or deletes a scenario there, you'll see it the next time the model loads. #### If you don't connect If you choose not to connect, enter the project information by hand in **Project Data** instead, and your assessment stays in Tally and the Revit model. This is the secondary path. You give up everything listed above: nobody can reach your numbers without opening Revit, the scenario doesn't exist in C.Scale to report on or compare against your portfolio, and the next person to open the model has nothing to sync to. ### Work through the Project Browser The Project Browser lists the families and materials in your model and shows which ones are already defined. Work through it until everything in your Object of Study has a definition. A definition is Tally's core idea. For each material, a definition records: * **LCIA dataset.** The material's corresponding dataset in the Tally database. * **Takeoff method.** How Tally translates model geometry into the quantity the assessment needs. * **Service life.** Optional. The number of years before the material is replaced. * **Material status.** Optional. A flag marking material as **Salvaged** or **Existing to Remain**. #### Assign Entries & Materials Match each Revit family to a material in the Tally database, so Tally knows what it actually is. #### Define Materials & Takeoff Methods Confirm the material behind each layer, then choose the takeoff method Tally uses to turn the dimensions in your model into the quantities an assessment needs. Pre-bundled assemblies and tables of common dimensional information mean you usually choose from options rather than entering numbers by hand. ![Choose the material behind each layer, then set its takeoff method.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/tally-ui-define-materials-takeoff-methods.png) #### Working with linked models You can define materials on elements that come from a linked model just as you would your own. The definition saves into your model, not the link. Tally never writes to a linked file, since links are read-only while you're working in your own model. Note that this has three consequences: * **Your changes stay with you.** Definitions travel one way, from the link into your model. Anyone who opens Tally in their own model sees only the definitions saved there. To share a definition, send it to them directly. * **A reissued link won't overwrite your work.** Each time a link reloads, Tally picks up whatever definitions that model carries and applies them only where you haven't set your own. Anywhere you've made a change, your version wins. * **You can go back.** Click **Reset to Linked Model** in the family menu to clear your version and use the link's definition again. ![Reset to Linked Model, in the family menu.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/tally-ui-reset-to-linked-model.png) ### Read the Results Results cover six TRACI 2.1 impact categories, plus mass, and break down by life cycle stage. The impact categories are global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), ozone depletion potential (ODP), smog formation potential (SFP), and fossil fuel depletion (FFD). From the Results screen you can export: * **Tabular Data (.csv)** * **Full Results (.json)** * **Full Results (.csv)** * **Full Results (.pdf)** ![Impacts by category and life cycle stage.](https://docs.cscale.io/images/tally-chart-results.png) Still have questions? See the [**Tally 2.0 FAQ**](https://docs.cscale.io/tally-2-0-users-guide/faq.md). --- ## Tally 2.0 FAQ Source: https://docs.cscale.io/tally-2-0-users-guide/faq.md Get answers about Tally 2.0: who can use it, which Revit versions it supports, what changed from Tally 1.0, its LCA data, impact categories and exports. > 🚧 **BETA.** Tally 2.0 is in beta. It is not a finished product, and is not appropriate for reporting or compliance of any kind. ### About the beta The beta is not a finished product. It will be incomplete; it will occasionally crash, and it may return incorrect results. As we receive feedback, we aim to improve the model's structure, quantity takeoffs, and overall user experience. This means some model elements may change between beta and commercial release. Treat this version as a sandbox, not a production tool; models you build during the beta may not carry forward into later releases. The beta is not appropriate for reporting or compliance of any kind. We will collect detailed usage data about your use of Tally during the beta phase, beyond the current bounds of the terms of use. Do not add any private or confidential data to the beta release. ### Getting access **Who can use Tally 2.0?** Anyone in an organization on a paid C.Scale plan. Sign in with your normal C.Scale credentials. There's no separate Tally license. **Which versions of Revit does it support?** Revit 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027. **Can I run Tally 2.0 alongside Tally 1.0?** Yes. They are not mutually exclusive and can sit in Revit side by side. **What's different from Tally 1.0?** Most of the ideas carry over. You still build definitions against Revit materials, and read impacts by life cycle stage. The main changes: * **View live results as you model.** You can view impacts and identify hot spots, see model results, or review material inventory at any time from within Tally. No need to run a full model report to get quick feedback. * **New and updated data.** Tally 2.0 represents a wholesale update to the background LCIA data used by your WBLCA model. Where possible, materials are based on the most recent Industry-Average EPD, with generic datasets used as noted. Energy, fuels, transportation, and end-of-life impacts have been updated to reflect the latest US EPA data and are tied to datasets published in the US Federal LCA Commons. * **Faster definitions.** Apply a definition across many families at once, set the project location once, and let it drive transportation and end-of-life scenarios. Pick appropriate materials for the model element and situation, and Tally now pre-assigns takeoff methods and applies default quantities. * **A connection to C.Scale.** Push a model's takeoffs into a C.Scale project as a scenario and keep working on it outside Revit. See [Modeling in Tally 2.0](https://docs.cscale.io/tally-2-0-users-guide/modeling-in-tally.md). * **Saving definitions for linked models.** In Tally 1.0, editing a definition on a linked element meant opening the linked file. Now you can define materials and elements in your own model; your version is stored with your model and survives the link being reissued. * **Improved design option scenarios.** You can now choose whether to include or exclude the full building model when running a design option comparison. No more copy/pasting full buildings to evaluate the impact of a small change. * **Existing building comparisons.** Tally 2.0 now supports the ability to compare models with and without existing fabric to be better understand the value of renovation and renewal. * **Standardized classification.** Categories, subcategories, and Uniformat classification now match C.Scale, and materials carry CSI spec sections. * **Snapshots and Virtual elements.** Save the model's state by connecting and syncing with a C.Scale project, and account for building systems and components not present in your Revit model. * **Salvaged and Existing to Remain.** Material status flags, and scope by phase, so existing-building reuse can be accounted for and tracked more easily across a project. **What has not changed?** Tally provides cradle-to-grave, whole-building LCA results across all core TRACI 2.1 impact categories for compliant and trustworthy WBLCA reporting. Apply definitions to your Revit model and generate robust LCA results that improve and update as your project develops. All background data in Tally's WBLCA models are carefully reviewed and have robust citations so you can be confident in model results. **Watch out for three things:** 1. Tally 2.0 supports Revit 2024 to 2027 only, so a very old project file may need to be upgraded first. 2. Tally 1.0's three separate structural categories are now a single **Structure** category. 3. There's no Tally license to buy or renew, since access comes with a paid C.Scale plan. ### Using Tally 2.0 **How do I save?** Your work is stored in the Revit model, so save with Revit's own save. Note that closing the Tally window does not save automatically. **Can I change a material definition on an element that comes from a linked model?** Yes. Define materials on linked elements just as you would your own. The change saves in your model, not in the link. Tally never writes to a linked file, since links are read-only while you're working in your own model. **Will other teams see the changes I make to definitions on linked elements?** No. Definitions only travel one way, from the link into your model. Anyone who opens Tally in their own model sees only the definitions saved there, so your changes stay local to you. To share a definition, send it to them directly. **If a linked model is updated and reissued, will it overwrite my changes?** No. Each time a link reloads, Tally picks up whatever definitions that model carries and applies them only where you haven't set your own. Anywhere you've made a change, your version wins. To use the updated definition instead, clear yours with **Reset to Linked Model** in the family menu. **Which Revit categories does Tally cover?** Ceilings, Curtainwall Panels, Curtainwall Mullions, Doors, Floors, Railings, Roofs, Stairs, Structure, Walls, and Windows. Tally does not support MEP at this time. **Can I compare design options?** Yes. In the **Object of Study**, switch to **Design Option Comparison** and select at least two. The order in which you select them determines the order in which they appear in results. ### Results and data **What impacts does Tally report?** Six core TRACI 2.1 impact categories, plus mass: global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), ozone depletion potential (ODP), smog formation potential (SFP), and fossil fuel depletion (FFD). **Where does Tally's LCA data come from?** Tally 2.0 uses its own LCA database, updated for this release. It does not draw on C.Scale's data. **Can I get the results out?** Yes. The Results screen exports **Tabular Data (.csv)**, **Full Results (.json)**, **Full Results (.csv)**, and **Full Results (.pdf)**. **Does everything I define in Tally reach C.Scale?** No. The connection to C.Scale carries structure, enclosure, and interiors only. See [Modeling in Tally 2.0](https://docs.cscale.io/tally-2-0-users-guide/modeling-in-tally.md). **If I disconnect a model from C.Scale, do I lose the data I synced?** No. Everything you have already synced stays in C.Scale, and the scenario is yours to keep working on there. **Can I add my own LCA data?** Not currently. If a material you need is missing, please [**tell us**](mailto:Tally@cscale.io). That feedback shapes what gets added. **Does Tally include cost information?** No. Life cycle assessment does not traditionally include costing information. **Can I use Tally 2.0 for LEED, or other reporting and compliance?** Not during the beta. See the note at the top of this page. Reporting from Tally takeoffs in C.Scale, including AIA 2030, LEED, and CALGreen, is planned for Tally 2.0's commercial release in January 2027. ### Get in touch! If something crashed, a number looks wrong, or you'd like to offer feedback on Tally 2.0 or the documentation, please [**get in touch**](mailto:hi@cscale.io)**.** If you hit an error with a diagnostic reference code, include it. --- # Data and Methodology --- ## Data and Methodology Source: https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model.md C.Scale calculates whole life carbon for buildings in one time series model of embodied, operational and landscape emissions over life cycle stages A to D. This section explains how C.Scale calculates whole life carbon emissions for buildings, combining embodied, operational and landscape carbon in one time series model. It covers the model's goal and scope, its methodology for each life cycle stage, its benchmarks and its reference data. ## How does C.Scale work? **C.Scale** is a whole life carbon calculation engine estimating emissions from building construction, renovation, and operation. **C.Scale delivers carbon clarity from concept to construction—supporting design teams from early massing studies through detailed modeling and product selection.** C.Scale is designed for use across the full project lifecycle: site and feasibility studies, requests for proposals, schematic and design development, construction documentation, retrospective analysis, and portfolio planning. The model supports carbon assessment at multiple levels of detail—from a minimum of project parameters at early stages through detailed structural, enclosure, and interior modeling as the design develops. It is the calculation engine behind numerous web applications and research efforts focused on both forward-looking planning and retrospective analysis of carbon emissions from buildings and the built environment. We ship features continuously, and have an exciting roadmap for the year ahead. Features are developed in response to user feedback, to incorporate improved data, and to refine the tool's methodology. Something you'd like to see? Reach out. ## C.Scale calculates whole life carbon emissions C.Scale integrates embodied, operational, and landscape carbon emission assessment into a single model. By taking a 'whole carbon' view, C.Scale prevents burden shifting and ensures that a project team has the information necessary to target the most impactful carbon reductions. C.Scale uses GWP-100 characterization factors. ## C.Scale is a time series model In the built environment, it is essential to understand the [time value of carbon](https://carbonleadershipforum.org/the-time-value-of-carbon/). To this end, C.Scale uses time series data to analyze carbon emissions across a building's life. For each year in the analysis period (defined by the project's [time horizon](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/goal-and-scope.md#time-horizon)), C.Scale estimates all emissions occurring in that year. **In the first year**, the following emissions are always calculated: * Embodied emissions in construction materials (life cycle stages A1-A3) * Construction site emissions (life cycle stages A4-A5) **In each year**, the following emissions are always calculated: * Emissions from leaked refrigerants, when applicable (life cycle stage B1) * Emissions from landscape maintenance, when applicable (life cycle stage B2) * Operational carbon emissions from onsite fossil fuel use (life cycle stage B6) * Operational carbon emissions from onsite electricity use (life cycle stage B6) * Benefits from overgeneration of onsite PV exported to the grid, when applicable (life cycle stage D2) **In only some years,** the following emissions are always calculated: * Replacement and refurbishment of hardscape (life cycle stages B3-B5) * Replacement and refurbishment of the building envelope (life cycle stages B3-B5) * Replacement and refurbishment of interior fit-out (life cycle stages B3-B5) * Replacement and refurbishment of MEP and PV systems (life cycle stages B3-B5) **In only the last year**, the following emissions are always calculated: * Emissions from demolition (life cycle stage C1) * Emissions from transportation to end-of-life processing (life cycle stage C2) * Emissions from waste processing and disposal (life cycle stages C3-C4) ## Building Geometry in C.Scale C.Scale's calculations are based on area and material takeoffs from simple building geometry. A diagram of this building's geometry is provided below. ![](https://docs.cscale.io/images/diagram-building-geometry-areas.png) ## C.Scale is customizable and extensible C.Scale is built as a series of modules, each connected to the others and tasked with a specific set of calculations. These modules are added or expanded in response to the requests of users. The C.Scale model's assumptions and background data can be overridden or refined through additional inputs. This allows for the addition of project-specific data where it is available while maintaining the C.Scale model for calculating all other parts of the project's carbon footprint. For more information, [get in touch](mailto:hi@cscale.io). --- ## Goal and Scope Source: https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/goal-and-scope.md Learn the scope of a C.Scale whole life carbon model: time horizon, service life, life cycle stages, embodied, operational and stored carbon, and accuracy. This page sets out the goal and scope of a C.Scale whole life carbon assessment: the time horizon, reference service life, life cycle stages, and the embodied, operational and stored carbon each model includes. It also explains how you adjust the analysis scope and how closely C.Scale results match a whole building LCA. ## Goal **C.Scale** provides directionally accurate guidance for specific projects by helping to identify which carbon reduction strategies a project should pursue, and helps to guide decarbonization of portfolios and portions of the building stock where C.Scale assumptions have been tested (i.e., in North America and the EU). ## Scope **C.Scale** is a whole life carbon model, integrating assessments of embodied and operational emissions in a data model to capture the entire carbon footprint of the project: from raw material extraction and manufacturing of construction materials through use to end of life. The tool also separately estimates the benefits and burdens beyond the system boundary of the project in future lifecycles and product systems. A C.Scale model can cover the following building categories: structure, enclosure, interiors, Services, sitework, and landscape. By default, all emissions associated with the building are included in the model's scope of analysis. ### Time Horizon **C.Scale** is a time series model and can calculate emissions over a time horizon of either 30 or 60 years. Support for additional time horizons is under development. ### Reference Service Life C.Scale assumes a building's reference service life of 60 years. ### Life Cycle Stages **C.Scale** covers life cycle stages (sometimes called "life cycle modules") A1-A5, B1, B2-B5, B6, and C1-C4. These correspond to the impacts of the materials used in the project, emissions from construction, their replacement over time, and the project’s operational energy use. End-of-life (C1-C4) emissions are only assessed when a 60-year time horizon is selected. C.Scale also reports the benefits associated with the export of renewable energy to the grid (D2) and carbon storage in durable wood products (Stored Carbon). ![Building Life Cycle Stages included in C.Scale](https://docs.cscale.io/images/diagram-lca-stages.png) ### Embodied Carbon Scope **C.Scale** includes an assessment of embodied carbon from the following sources: * Building structure and substructure * Construction activities * Cladding, glazing, and roofing assemblies and their replacement over time * Interior fit-outs and their replacement over time * MEP systems (including on-site photovoltaic arrays) and their replacement over time * Sitework and landscape elements, including planting, paving, and regular landscape maintenance activities ### Operational Carbon Scope **C.Scale** considers operational emissions from the following sources: * Emissions from the combustion of methane gas in the building * Upstream leakage of methane gas as a proportion of methane gas combusted in the building * Upstream emissions from the generation of electricity delivered to the site * Refrigerant leakage during equipment installation, annually during the equipment's operation, and at the end of the equipment's life. ### Stored Carbon **C.Scale** includes an estimate of carbon storage from bio-based construction materials and landscape elements. The tool estimates the carbon content of structural wood products permanently installed on the project at the time of initial construction. C.Scale's method for calculating carbon storage in timber structural systems is detailed in the section on [Stored Carbon](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/stored-avoided-carbon.md). The C.Scale model also includes quantification of the carbon content of landscape elements over the project lifecycle. C.Scale’s methodology for calculating sequestration, storage, and emissions of site and landscape elements is detailed in the section on [Site and Landscape](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/site-and-landscape.md). ### Adjusting the Analysis Scope In C.Scale, you can include or exclude analysis scope by selecting life cycle modules, building components, and processes in the application’s interface. When comparing results between C.Scale and other tools, or between any estimates of carbon emissions, ensure that the scope of analysis across building elements and life cycle stages are identical. ## Uncertainty Anecdotal evidence has put C.Scale results (modeled without any customization) within 5-30% of the estimates generated by whole building Life Cycle Assessment and hourly operational carbon assessment. As modeling resolution increases with project detail, results can be further validated against wbLCA outputs at later design stages. Customizing any model parameters will remove them from the calculation of uncertainty. We assume that custom data represents commitments made by the project team. --- ## Methodology Source: https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon.md See the formulas C.Scale uses for product emissions (A1-A3), construction (A4-A5), use (B1-B6), end of life (C1-C4) and benefits beyond the boundary (D). This page explains how C.Scale calculates whole life carbon emissions for each life cycle stage, from upstream product emissions (A1-A3) and construction (A4-A5) through use (B), end of life (C) and benefits beyond the system boundary (D). Each section gives the formula C.Scale uses and the default data behind it. C.Scale generates time series estimates of a building's carbon emissions and organizes those emissions by emission category and life cycle stage. ## A1-3: Upstream Product Emissions A1-A3 emissions are calculated from a bill of materials (e.g., life cycle inventory) inferred from the user's description of a building. The exact method for generating that bill of materials and calculating A1-A3 emissions varies by building assembly. For each contributor $i$, embodied emissions in life cycle stages A1-A3 are assessed with the following expression: $$ Emissions_{A1-A3} = \sum_{i=1}^{n} Q_i \cdot EF_{A1-A3,i} $$ Where $Q_i$ is the quantity of material $i$ of all materials $n$, and $EF_{A1-A3,i}$ is the carbon intensity per unit of material $i$ for life cycle stages A1-A3. ## A4-5: Construction Emissions ### A4: Transportation of Materials to Site All materials accounted for in A1-A3 must be transported to the site. C.Scale defaults to emission factors from the ASHRAE 240P draft guidance in table 6.5.2.1. These are conservative estimates of emissions per quantity of material. These data include a 0.5 return trip factor where appropriate. Default transportation distance is based on US Commodity Flow Survey (CFS, 2017) $$ Emissions_{A4} = \sum_{i=1}^{n} \sum_{j=1}^{modes_i} M_i \cdot EF_{transport,j} \cdot D_{i,j} $$ Where $Emissions_{A4}$ is the total transportation emissions to jobsite, $M_i$ is the mass of material $i$, $EF_{transport,j}$ is the emission factor per ton-kilometer for transport mode j, $D_{i,j}$ is the distance for material $i$ using transport mode $j$, and $modes_i$ is the number of transport modes for material $i$. ### A5.1: Pre-Construction Demolition Pre-construction demolition emissions are calculated per floor area of the demolished building, using a default emissions factor from ASHRAE 240P (Second Public Review Draft, 2025). $$ Emissions_{A5.1} = A_{demo} \cdot EF_{demolition} $$ Where $Emissions_{A5.1}$ is the emissions from pre-construction demolition, $A_{demo}$ is the area of pre-construction demolished building, and $EF_{demolition}$ is the emission factor per demolished area. If fuel and electricity use data have been collected, it can also be used to calculate emissions from pre-construction demolition. $$ Emissions_{A5.1} = \sum_{k=1}^{p} Q_{fuel,k} \cdot EF_{fuel,k} $$ Where $Emissions_{A5.1}$ is the emissions from pre-construction demolition, $Q_{fuel,k}$ is the quantity of fuel type k used, $EF_{fuel,k}$ is the emission factor per unit of fuel type $k$, and $p$ is the number of fuel types. ### A5.2: Jobsite Activities Emissions from construction activities and land use change are included in A5.2. #### Construction Activities Construction activities include the use of tools, fuel, equipment, and energy on the building site. This includes site preparation, installation of materials, and other jobsite activities. When no additional data is provided, C.Scale uses a default emissions factor from ASHRAE 240P (Second Public Review Draft, 2025) of project floor area. $$ Emissions_{A5.2} = A_{construction} \cdot EF_{construction} $$ Where $Emissions_{A5.2}$ is the emissions from construction activities, $A_{construction}$is the area of new construction, and $EF_{construction}$ is the emission factor per unit area for construction activities. If fuel and electricity use data have been collected, it can also be used to calculate emissions from pre-construction demolition. $$ Emissions_{A5.2} = \sum_{k=1}^{p} Q_{construction,fuel,k} \cdot EF_{fuel,k} $$ Where $Emissions_{A5.2}$ is the emissions from construction activities, $Q_{construction,fuel,k}$ is the quantity of fuel type $k$ used for construction activities, $EF_{fuel,k}$is the emission factor per unit of fuel type $k$ , and $p$ is the number of fuel types. #### Emissions from Greenfield Development Land use change emissions from greenfield development are counted in A5.2. For details on land use change emissions, see [Site and Landscape](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/site-and-landscape.md). ### A5.3: Jobsite Waste For each material and building assembly, C.Scale assumes a percentage of the installed total is wasted during construction. For all waste incurred during A5.3, we calculate A1-A4 and C2-C4 emissions for the wasted material and assign it to A5.3 emissions for that material's category. $$ Emissions_{A5.3} = \sum_{i=1}^{n} (E_{A1-A3,i} + E_{A4,i} + E_{C2-C4,i}) \cdot Q_{installed,i} \cdot W_i $$ Where $Emissions_{A5.3}$ is the total emissions from construction waste, $E_{A1-A3,i}$ is the A1-A3 emissions for material $i$, $E_{A4,i}$ is the A4 emissions for material i, $E_{C2-C4,i}$ is the end-of-life emissions for material $i$ , $Q_{installed,i}$ is the quantity of material $i$ installed, $W_i$is the waste rate for material $i$, and $n$ is the total number of materials. ## B Phase: Use Stage The use stage includes all emissions from the operation of the building from the completion of construction until the end of the reference service period. ### B1: In-Use Emissions Fugitive emissions from annual refrigerant leakage, as well as refrigerant leakage for equipment replaced during the operating life of the building, are counted in life cycle stage B1. This is treated in detail in the documentation section on [Refrigerant Emissions](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/refrigerant-emissions.md). Annual carbon storage in the landscape is also included in this phase. ### B2-B5: Replacement and Refurbishment C.Scale uses a simplified model of replacement and refurbishment. For all materials in the C.Scale model, the emissions associated with this replacement and refurbishment—including manufacturing, transportation, and installation of the new materials, as well as end-of-life emissions for any removed materials—are assigned to the year(s) determined by the user-selected refurbishment period. #### B4: Replacement Emissions $$ Emissions_{B4} = \sum_{i=1}^{n} \sum_{r=1}^{R_i} \left[ (E_{A1-A4,i} + E_{A5.3,i}) + E_{C2-C4,i} \right] \cdot P_{replacement,i,r} $$ Where $E_{B4}$ is the total emissions from replacement activities, $E_{A1-A4,i}$ is the upstream emissions for incoming material i (combining A1-A3 and A4 stages), $E_{A5.3,i}$ is the construction waste emissions for incoming material i, $E_{C2-C4,i}$ is the end-of-life emissions for outgoing material i, $P_{replacement,i,r}$ is the proportion of material i replaced in replacement event r, $R_i$ is the number of replacements for material i over building lifetime, and n is the total number of materials. ### B6: Operational Energy use Life cycle stage B6 includes operational emissions from energy use. This is treated in detail in the documentation section on [Operational Carbon](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/operational-carbon.md). ## C Phase: End of Life Data from life cycle stages C1-C4 cover the process from building demolition to the final disposition of materials as input to recycling, waste recovery processes, or landfills. ### C1: Demolition At early phases of design, C.Scale models C1 emissions following the guidance in ASHRAE 240P (Second Public Review Draft, 2025), following the "business-as-usual" demolition scenario. This approach considers C1 emissions as a proportion of A5.2 emissions and calculates them on a per-area basis $$ Emissions_{C1} = A_{building} \cdot EF_{demo,area} $$ Where $E_{C1}$ is the emissions from end-of-life demolition, $A_{building}$ is the total building area, and $EF_{demo, area}$ is the emission factor per unit area for demolition activities. If fuel and electricity use data have been more precisely estimated from future emissions, it can also be used to calculate emissions. $$ Emissions_{C1} = \sum_{k=1}^{p} Q_{EOL,fuel,k} \cdot EF_{fuel,k} $$ Where $E_{C1}$ is the emissions from end-of-life demolition, $Q_{EOL,fuel,k}$ is the quantity of fuel type k used for end-of-life demolition, $EF_{fuel,k}$ is the emission factor per unit of fuel type k, and p is the number of fuel types. C1 also includes emissions from refrigerant leakage of all removed equipment. ### C2: Transportation to End of Life Processing BC.Scale's C2 model follows the same calculation approach as A4. $$ Emissions_{C2} = \sum_{i=1}^{n} \sum_{j=1}^{m_i} M_i \cdot EF_{transport,j} \cdot D_{EOL,i,j} $$ Where $E_{C2}$ is the total transportation emissions to end-of-life facilities, $M_i$ is the mass of material i, $EF_{transport,j}$ is the emission factor per ton-kilometer for transport mode j, $D_{EOL,i,j}$ is the distance for material i to end-of-life facility using transport mode j, $m_i$ is the number of transport modes for material i, and n is the total number of materials. ### C3: Waste Processing for Recycling, Reuse, and Recovery Data for life cycle stages C3 and C4 are collected from regionally-appropriate industry-average EPDs. Where data is unavailable in the US, EPA Warm and Sphera data area used as reference data sources. $$ Emissions_{C3-C4} = \sum_{i=1}^{n} Q_i \cdot EF_{C3-C4,i} $$ Where $E_{C3-C4}$ is the total emissions from end-of-life processing, $Q_i$ is the quantity of material i in declared unit, $EF_{C3-C4,i}$ is the emission factor per unit of material i for end-of-life processing in life cycle stages C3-C4, and n is the total number of materials. ## D Phase: Benefits Beyond the System Boundary The D phase of a whole life carbon assessment includes environmental benefits and burdens beyond the system boundary. Module D emissions are reported separately from life cycle impacts and should not be combined into a total emissions value for reporting purposes. ### D1: Potential Benefits from Recycling, Recovery, and Reuse C.Scale is no longer supporting reporting of D1 impacts and credits at this time. ### D2: Benefits from Exported Energy If a building generates more energy than it uses in a given year and exports that energy to the grid, the benefit of this export can be declared in module D2 which counts the avoided impact of grid electricity generation. For more information, see [Avoided Emissions](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/avoided-emissions.md). --- ## Structure Source: https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/structure.md Learn how C.Scale estimates structural material quantities with machine learning models and calculates their embodied carbon, with regional concrete data. This page explains how C.Scale estimates the quantities of structural materials in a building and calculates the embodied carbon of those materials. It covers the machine learning models behind the structural bill of materials, the structural systems available, and how C.Scale treats concrete by region. ## Material Quantity Estimation C.Scale estimates quantities of major structural materials using a suite of machine learning models trained on a database of bills of materials from completed buildings (n > 1,200), assembled from internal and public sources. This approach is preferable to a first-principles method — i.e., assuming an optimized structural grid for a given geometry — because it reduces truncation error and better describes the variation present in real buildings. Models are updated regularly as new data becomes available. Each model is trained on a small set of predictors and weighted by data provenance. LCI data from a detailed whole-building LCA is given the highest weight, with data from journal articles, white papers, partial data, and modeled data given progressively lower weights. Training data is split 80/20 between training and test sets, and k-fold cross-validation (n=5) is used to confirm that each model can consistently predict unseen data. There are five ML models in our model pipeline. The least accurate has a Mean Absolute Percentage Error of 16.7% and an r2 value of 0.74. The four other models each achieve an r2 value over 0.95. These methods for calculating a structural bill of materials have been reviewed by colleagues at [MKA](https://www.mka.com/), [Carbon Leadership Forum](https://carbonleadershipforum.org/), and Autodesk with additional comment from colleagues at [Arup](https://www.arup.com/). If you are a structural engineer or data scientist interested in providing further review of our modeling pipeline, [please reach out](mailto:hi@cscale.io). ### Simple Editing View In simple editing view, users select a primary structural system and, where applicable, a secondary structural system. C.Scale uses these inputs to generate a complete estimated bill of materials for the project. Material assignments are generated automatically based on structural system type and are divided between substructure and superstructure. Assignments may not reflect all project-specific conditions and can be reviewed and edited in the Detailed View. ### Detailed Editing View In the detailed editing view, users can see and interact with the full material inventory, organized by substructure and superstructure. Users may edit quantities, remove materials, or add materials from C.Scale's library of over 300 generic structural materials. Each material entry can be assigned to an element type (foundations, columns, beams, framing, etc.), and quantities can be adjusted to match a specific structural design. All entries are currently managed as individual line items. > **Coming soon:** Batch import of bills of materials from external software. The structural systems available in C.Scale are described in the table below. ### Superstructure
Structural SystemDescription
Reinforced ConcreteA structural system comprised of columns, beams, and slabs of cast-in-place concrete reinforced with steel that provides tensile strength.
Steel FrameA structural system comprised of foundations, columns, beams, girders, and decking constructed from steel structural members connected with rigid or pin joints.
Light Wood FrameA platform frame system comprised of dimensional lumber, plywood sheathing, and reinforced concrete cores.
Mass TimberA structural system comprised of massive beams, panels, and columns, often assembled by aggregating many smaller timber elements.
Hybrid Concrete-Steel (High-Rise)A structural system that combines rigid steel frames with concrete columns, beams, and slabs. These hybrid structures are more materially intensive and may be used when there are significant seismic loads, in high-rise buildings, or for programs with very high live or environmental loads.
### Substructure The substructure includes all below-grade construction, from the lowest-level slab to the underside of the ground floor. This may include foundation slabs, footings, grade beams, basement walls, and below-grade columns. All substructure elements are assumed to be cast-in-place concrete. ## Carbon Emissions of Structural Materials C.Scale calculates carbon emissions for each structural material by applying global warming potential (GWP) values drawn from industry-average EPDs to the estimated material quantities. In all cases, C.Scale uses GWP-100 characterization factors. These sources are documented in the [Reference Data Sources ](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/reference-data.md)section of this guide. For most structural materials, emissions data reflects North American industry averages at the time of the last model update. Concrete is an exception — it is treated regionally given its local supply chain and the relative abundance of regional EPD data. See the Concrete section below. ### Concrete Concrete is a local material, rarely traveling more than 25 miles between production and use. Across North America, the emissions associated with typical concrete mixes can vary considerably due to variability in local sand and aggregates, availability of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), and regional industry practices. C.Scale accounts for this by applying regional benchmarks rather than a single national average. **In the simple editing view**, users set concrete emissions as either **Average** or **Low-Carbon**: * **Average** references the relevant NRMCA or Canadian Regional benchmark mix for the project location. * **Low-Carbon** references the low-carbon mix from the NRMCA national average EPD, corresponding to a 50% SCM mix design. **In the detailed editing view**, concrete entries are organized by strength class. Users can apply national averages or select a specific regional benchmark for each strength class. NRMCA mixes are available across a range of SCM percentages; Canadian mixes are available with and without air-entraining admixtures (AEAs). > **Coming soon:** Support for product- and facility-specific EPDs across all structural materials. --- ## Enclosure Source: https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/enclosure.md Learn how C.Scale estimates wall, window and roof areas and the embodied carbon of enclosure assemblies, with default floor heights and R-values. This page explains how C.Scale estimates the embodied carbon of a building's enclosure: solid exterior walls, transparent exterior walls and roofing. It covers how C.Scale calculates enclosure areas, the assemblies you can choose, the default insulating values and the generic materials behind each assembly. ## Enclosure Quantity Takeoffs The building enclosure is divided into three components: solid exterior wall, transparent exterior wall, and roofing. The area of each is calculated based on user inputs for building floor area, number of floors, floor-to-floor height, window-to-wall ratio (WWR), and building perimeter. C.Scale makes a preliminary estimate of floor-to-floor height, WWR, and building perimeter (assuming a square building), which the user can refine in the "overrides" panel in the base case tab. $$ Enclosure \ area = Perimeter \ \ast \ F2F \ Height \ \ast \ Number \ of \ floors $$ $$ Transparent \ Exterior \ Wall \ area = WWR \ \ast \ Perimeter \ \ast \ F2F \ Height \ \ast \ Number \ of \ floors $$ $$ Solid \ Exterior \ Wall \ area = (1-WWR) \ \ast \ Perimeter \ \ast \ F2F \ Height \ \ast \ Number \ of \ floors $$ $$ Roof \ area = Building \ Footprint $$ ### Floor-to-Floor Height Floor-to-floor (F2F) height can be set for each floor individually (if using the stacked `BuildingForm` object) or for all floors together (in the simple `BuildingForm` object). Default values are set by use type, as described in the table below. | Use Categories | Default F2F Height (ft) | Default F2F Height (m) | | - | - | - | | Dormitory, Hotel, Multifamily Housing, Senior Care Facility, Single Family Home | 11.5 feet | 3.5 meters | | Fitness Center, K-12 School, Medical Clinic, Office, Pre-school / Day Care, Restaurant, Retail Store, University/College | 13 feet | 4.0 meters | | Aquarium, Hospital, Laboratory, Library, Museum, Performing Arts, Post Office, Stadium, Transit Station, Worship Facility, Zoo | 15 feet | 4.6 meters | | Convention Center | 18 feet | 5.5 meters | | Distribution Center, Warehouse | 20 feet | 6.1 meters | ## Enclosure Assemblies All enclosure components are modeled on an area basis. In both editing modes, C.Scale populates a full material inventory for each assembly based on user selections. Assembly quantities are based on industry guidance and standard North American construction practice. Detailed assembly descriptions and reference specification language are available in detailed view. ### **Simple Editing View** In the simple editing view, users select a general type for each enclosure category — a cladding type for the solid exterior wall, a system type for the transparent exterior wall, and a membrane type for roofing. C.Scale then generates a complete schematic material inventory for each assembly. ### **Detailed Editing View** In the detailed editing view, users can configure each enclosure assembly layer by layer. C.Scale generates a full material inventory based on those selections, which users can then convert to a user-described assembly and further customize by editing individual materials — adjusting material selection or quantity — using C.Scale's library of over 150 generic enclosure materials. Assemblies can be renamed and saved to the project scenario. The configurable layers for each enclosure component are: ### Solid Exterior Wall **Finish Assemblies** **Cladding assemblies available:** * Brick Masonry * Cement Stucco * Composite Metal Panel Rainscreen * EIFS * Fiber Cement Rainscreen * Formed Steel Panel Rainscreen * Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) Rainscreen * Stone Veneer Rainscreen * Terracotta Rainscreen * Thin Brick Masonry Veneer * Thin Brick Rainscreen * Wood Rainscreen * Paint on structure **Exterior Insulation** **Exterior insulation types available:** * Polyisocyanurate (PIR) * Expanded polystyrene (EPS) * Extruded polystyrene (XPS) * Fiberglass Banket * Mineral wool, high-density * Mineral wool, low-density **Wall Framing** **Wall framing types available:** * CMU Wall, 6" (152 mm) * Metal Stud, 3 5/8" (92 mm), 16" (400 mm) o.c. * Metal Stud, 3 5/8" (92 mm), 24" (600 mm) o.c. * Metal Stud, 6" (152 mm), 16" (400 mm) o.c. * Metal Stud, 6" (152 mm), 24" (600 mm) o.c. * Wood Stud, 2 x 4 (38 x 89 mm), 16" (400 mm) o.c. * Wood Stud, 2 x 4 (38 x 89 mm), 24" (600 mm) o.c. * Wood Stud, 2 x 6 (38 x 140 mm), 16" (400 mm) o.c. * Wood Stud, 2 x 6 (38 x 140 mm), 24" (600 mm) o.c. ## Transparent Exterior Wall **Glazing Type** **Glazing types available:** * Punched windows * Curtainwall
**Mullion/Frame Material** **Mullion/frame types available via app:** * Steel * Aluminum * Wood * Wood/Aluminum * Glulam **Insulated Glazing Unit (IGU)** **IGU types available via app:** * Double-glazed IGU * Triple-glazed IGU * Closed Cavity Facade ## Roofing **Roofing Type** **Roofing types available:** * Standing Seam Metal Roofing * Built-Up Roofing (BUR) * APP Modified Bitumen Roofing * SBS Modified Bitumen Roofing * Adhered Single-Ply EPDM Roofing * Ballasted Single-Ply EPDM Roofing * Single-Ply TPO Roofing * PVC Membrane Roofing * Asphalt Shingles * Clay Tile * Natural Slate Tile * Synthetic Slate Tile **Cover Board** **Cover board types available:** * Polyiso high-density roof coverboard * Glass-mat gypsum board, 1/2 in * Glass-mat gypsum board, 5/8 in * Plywood, 1/2 in **Insulation** **Exterior insulation types available:** * Polyisocyanurate (PIR) * Expanded polystyrene (EPS) * Extruded polystyrene (XPS) * Fiberglass * Mineral wool The C.Scale enclosure model uses Payette Kaleidoscope takeoffs data for some assemblies by permission. Find the full citation for these data in the [Reference Data](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/reference-data.md) section of the methodology. Other assembly information is sourced from Product literature and industry guidance. ## **Default Insulating Values** The declared R-value of the assembly is used to calculate the amount of exterior insulation required. R-values for framing assemblies are de-rated following ASHRAE 90.1-2019 Appendix A. If no R-value is declared, the default is set by climate zone. These defaults can be overridden in the detailed editing view.
ASHRAE Climate ZoneEnclosure R-Value DefaultRoofing R-Value Default
Climate Zone 01830
Climate Zone 11830
Climate Zone 21830
Climate Zone 32030
Climate Zone 42133
Climate Zone 52133
Climate Zone 62636
Climate Zone 72641
Climate Zone 82941
## **Enclosure Materials** For each assembly, C.Scale calculates material quantities per unit of assembly area. C.Scale automatically multiplies these per-area quantities by the total assembly area to produce a consistent material inventory for the project. This allows models to be updated easily as takeoffs evolve throughout the design process. Generic materials are based on North American industry-average EPDs wherever available, and are reported per the declared unit of the relevant Product Category Rule (PCR) to support material substitution and comparison with product-specific EPDs within a category. ## **Updates and Improvements** > **Coming soon:** C.Scale is actively expanding its transparent wall assembly library to include a broader range of glazing system types, including storefronts, glazed entrances, window walls, and curtainwall variants. These additions will allow for more precise carbon accounting across the full range of building envelope glazing assemblies. Don't see an assembly or material you need? [Reach out to our team](mailto:hi@cscale.io) — we're continually expanding our enclosure library and welcome requests. --- ## Interiors Source: https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/interiors.md Learn how C.Scale estimates takeoffs and embodied carbon for interior walls, ceilings, flooring and doors from precedent data and industry-average EPDs. This page explains how C.Scale estimates the embodied carbon of a building's interiors: interior walls, ceilings, flooring and doors. It covers how C.Scale estimates quantity takeoffs, the simple and detailed editing modes, and the generic materials behind each assembly. ## Interior Assemblies For each building use category, C.Scale estimates quantity takeoffs for interior walls, ceilings, flooring, and door assemblies to fit the modeled building's overall area, based on precedent data from similar buildings. Interior wall, ceiling, and flooring takeoffs are area-based, and doors are counted by unit. Furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF\&E) are not currently supported in the Interiors module. In **simple editing mode**, users choose a general type for each assembly category. C.Scale then generates a schematic material inventory for the project. In **detailed design mode**, users can configure interiors at a higher resolution to match their project design. This includes adjusting area takeoffs, creating multiple assembly types, and customizing parametric assemblies at the sub-assembly and material level. For example, within a given interior wall type, users can adjust framing type and spacing, select cavity insulation materials, and choose from a range of wall finishes. Default wall assemblies include finishes on both sides. Single-sided wall assemblies are available in the typology dropdown to represent the inside face of exterior walls, whose framing and cladding are captured in the Enclosure portion of the building model. Material quantities are based on industry guidance and standard North American construction practice. Detailed assembly descriptions and reference specification language are available in the detailed view. ## Interior Materials For each assembly, C.Scale calculates material quantities per unit of assembly area. This allows models to be updated easily as takeoffs evolve throughout the design process. C.Scale automatically multiplies these per-area material quantities by the total assembly area to produce a consistent material inventory for the project. Users can create custom assemblies and save them to a project scenario by editing materials within an assembly, or by duplicating a scenario and updating its name, description, and constituent materials. Generic materials are based on North American industry-average EPDs wherever available, and are reported per the declared unit of the relevant Product Category Rule (PCR) to support material substitution and comparison with product-specific EPDs within a category. ## Updates and Improvements Don't see an assembly or a material you need? Reach out to our team — we're continually expanding our generic assembly and material library and welcome requests. --- ## Services Source: https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/services.md Learn how C.Scale estimates the embodied carbon of MEP systems and solar photovoltaic arrays per floor or panel area, and how to enter a custom intensity. This page explains how C.Scale estimates the embodied carbon of a building's MEP systems and solar photovoltaic arrays. It covers the data C.Scale uses for each and how you enter a custom carbon intensity. ## Embodied Carbon in MEP Systems Embodied carbon in mechanical systems in evaluated at two specification levels—standard performance and high performance—and is dependent of the total square footage of the building. This approach, and the data used in C.Scale, follow from the CLF study on building mechanical systems. A custom carbon intensity of MEP systems can be entered by passing a kgCO₂e per area (sf or m², depending on the unit system) value directly to the app. The area basis for this calculation is the total floor area multiplied by the percentage of conditioned floor area. ### Embodied Carbon in Solar Photovoltaic Arrays Embodied carbon in solar photovoltaics arrays is calculated using values from the peer-reviewed literature. A citation to the current data source is available in in the [Reference Data Sources](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/reference-data.md) section of this guide. A custom carbon intensity of PV Array can be entered by passing a kgCO₂e per area (sf or m², depending on the unit system) value directly to the app. The area basis for this calculation is the total panel area (i.e., not the total array area). The panel area is calculated as the array area divided by the ground coverage ratio. --- ## Refrigerant Emissions Source: https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/refrigerant-emissions.md Learn how C.Scale calculates refrigerant leakage emissions in life cycle stage B1 from refrigerant charge, annual and end-of-life leakage rates, and GWP. In C.Scale, fugitive emissions from refrigerant leakage are categorized as operational emissions. They are counted in life cycle stage B1. For each year of operation, emissions from refrigerant leakage are calculated as: $$ Emissions_{\text{annual}} = (\text{ref charge}) \cdot (\text{ref leakage rate}_{\text{annual}}) \cdot (\text{ref GWP}) $$ For each year where MEP systems are replaced/refurbished (denoted in C.Scale as the “refurbishment period”), emissions from refrigerant leakage are calculated as: $$ Emissions_{\text{EoL}} = (\text{ref charge}) \cdot (\text{ref leakage rate}_{\text{EoL}} + \text{leakage rate}_{\text{annual}}) \cdot (\text{ref GWP}) $$ ## Estimating Total Refrigerant Charge Estimates of total building refrigerant charge are based on data in Barbara Rodriguez’s dissertation entitled "Embodied Carbon of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigerants (HVAC+R) Systems." These data are collected from a sample of 20 LEED-certified buildings in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. ## Refrigerant Leakage Rates Annual and end-of-life refrigerant leakage rates are typically a model assumption, not a carbon reduction measures. In C.Scale, there are two options for leakage assumptions. | Reporting Scheme | Annual Leakage | End-of-Life Leakage | | - | - | - | | LEED | 2% | 10% | | CIBSE TM65 (Type 1) | 2 | 1 | | CIBSE TM65 (Type 2) | 4% | 2% | | CIBSE TM65 (Type 3) | 6% | 3% | ## Refrigerant GWP Throughout C.Scale, three options are given for specification-related options: High Carbon, Average, and Low Carbon. Typically, these refer to the 80th, 50th, and 20th percentile of GWP values for available materials. We were unable to replicate this methodology for refrigerants, though, as the overall distribution of refrigerants skews very high–and this highly skewed distribution doesn’t represent the choices designers are making on their projects. In the refrigerant model, these three choices are keyed to specific refrigerants as follows:
Specification LevelReference Refrigerant(s)GWP Value
High CarbonHFC Refrigerant (e.g., 60% R-410a; 40% R-134)2000
AverageLow-GWP Refrigerant (e.g., R-513)700
Low CarbonNext-Gen Natural Refrigerant (e.g., CO₂)5
--- ## Operational Carbon Source: https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/operational-carbon.md Learn how C.Scale calculates operational carbon from energy use intensity, fuel mix and grid carbon intensity, with grid scenarios and onsite solar PV. This page explains how C.Scale calculates a building's operational carbon emissions (life cycle stage B6) from energy use intensity, fuel mix and the carbon intensity of the electrical grid. It also covers the grid decarbonization scenarios C.Scale uses in each region and the energy generated by onsite solar photovoltaic arrays. The overview of how C.Scale calculated operational carbon is detailed on the [model structure](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model.md) page. Below, we give additional detail about how C.Scale calculates emissions from all the sources contributing to a project's operational carbon. ## Overview of Operational Carbon Calculation The operational emissions of the project are assessed annually and summed across all years before the target date. The equation is similar to the equation for embodied emissions, with two key differences: first, the quantity x is substituted for the energy use intensity (EUI) e; second, the equation is a double summation, once across all the fuel types in the building and again across all years between the building’s completion and the target year. The total operational emissions assessed by C.Scale are represented by this expression: $$ Operational\ carbon\ emissions=\ \sum_{t=1}^{m}\ \sum_{j=1}^{o}\ A\ast e_{tj}\ast c_j $$ For m total years between the building’s completion and the target year and across o fuel types, where A is the total building area, $e_{tj}$ is the energy use per building area (EUI) in year $t$ of fuel $j$, and $c_{tj}$ is the carbon intensity per energy unit in year $t$ of fuel $j$. Carbon emissions associated with electricity are derived from NLR's Cambium model. Onsite fossil fuel use is assumed to be natural gas. The carbon emissions of natural gas are assessed with a 2.4% leakage rate. Fuel oil emissions account for N20 and CH4 emissions. Characterization of non-CO₂ emissions is determined with the GWP100 factors published in IPCC AR6. ## Energy Use C.Scale uses energy use intensity (EUI) in units of kBtu/sf/yr (or kWh/m²/yr) as its metric for energy use in buildings. C.Scale is designed to give accurate feedback on the carbon emissions associated with a declared energy use, but is not an energy modeling tool for determining how a declared energy use can be achieved. Baseline EUIs are set in c.scale using a direct API connection with Architecture 2030's [Zero Tool](https://zerotool.org/zerotool/), with a failover to a subset of cached Zero Tool results. ZeroTool generates baseline Site EUI (kBtu/ft²/yr) based on the type, size, and location of each site. Background data for this tool is based on 2003 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) dataset for commercial buildings, and the 2001 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) for residential buildings. Zero Tool estimates are used to set baselines for AIA 2030 reporting, but should not be construed as representing typical performance for new construction or as a basis for "code minimum" design. To set a code minimum EUI, enter your desired value as the `benchmark_EUI` in the request object. ### Fuel Mix Benchmark buildings are assumed to be "mixed fuel," using energy from both electricity and onsite combustion. All onsite combustion is assumed to be natural gas. The fuel mix of buildings is calculated to align with assumptions in Architecture 2030's [Zero Tool](https://zerotool.org/zerotool/). Zero Tool estimates are used to set baselines for AIA 2030 reporting, but should not be construed as representing "code minimum" design. C.Scale assumes a 2.4% upstream leakage rate for all fossil fuel combusted in a building. The carbon intensity of this leakage is calculated with characterization factors from the IPCC's AR6. #### Fuel Mix in Canadian Buildings Fossil fuel usage at the building level is reported by [Energy Star](https://portfoliomanager.energystar.gov/pdf/reference/FuelMixandCost.pdf). This data represents the average fuel mix used across all existing building stock within each province. Building use category is not factored into this data. In order to fill in the data gap for the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon, the data representing the prairies region (Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan) was used. The assumption is that the territories are likely to be more reliant on fossil fuels given that they have less developed infrastructure for the transmission of electricity due to how remote they are. ### Carbon Intensity of Electricity C.Scale includes estimates of carbon emissions from demand for electricity from now until 2110. These estimates are based on NLR's Cambium capacity expansion model. If you are curious about the underlying data, you can explore Cambium data in NLR's [online scenario viewer](https://scenarioviewer.nrel.gov/). Cambium data is not available annually, but annual data is necessary in C.Scale. To annualize Cambium data, we use the following method: * **Fill temporal gaps in Cambium data from 2026-2050** with geometric interpolation for all years between two years reported in Cambium. * I.e. for 2027 between the reported values in 2026 and 2028, or for 2041-2044 between the reported values in 2040 and 2045. * **Extend data to 2110** assuming the electricity grid continue to decarbonize at the same average rate that it decarbonized from 2026-2050. Note that the end date of 2110 has no basis in the data; 2110 is only chosen so that C.Scale can model a 60 year reference period for buildings completed up to the year 2050. * **Fill geographic gaps** to give wall-to-wall coverage of United States. * C.Scale assumes the average emission rate in Washington, DC, is the same as in Virginia (highly interconnected grids, both PJM). * For Alaska and Hawaii, we assume exponential reductions that allow them to meet their climate goals (in the mid-case scenario) or get to 95% decarb by 2045. We don’t make an assumption to approximate a scenario like High Cost of Renewable Energy for either of these two states. #### Electrical grid emission metrics C.Scale includes two metrics for grid emissions. * **Average Emission Rate (AER)**. By default, C.Scale measures annual emission factors by summing the total generation of all resources in a given year and putting them on a MWh basis. This average emission rate also includes 'precombustion emissions from the leakage of fossil gas in the energy supply chain. This metric is described in NLR's Cambium model as "AER Load: Combustion + Precombustion." * **Long-Run Marginal Emission Rates (LRMER)**. LRMER emissions are described by NLR as emission rates for “of the next unit of electricity considering the grid’s structure as variable.” This emission metric is preferable to a simple average emission rate because buildings are long-lived assets whose demand for energy has a marginal influence on the evolution of the energy grid. This metric is described in NLR's Cambium model as "LRMER: Combustion + Precombustion." #### Electrical grid projections The future of the electrical grid is uncertain. To account for this uncertainty, C.Scale includes three future grid scenarios in each region. **North America** #### United States C.Scale includes three NLR Cambium scenarios for the future evolution of the electrical grid. Portions of the text below are quoted from the description of these scenarios and their derivation published by NLR [here](https://docs.nrel.gov/docs/fy25osti/93005.pdf) (pdf). * **Expected Decarbonization.** Central estimates for technology costs, fuel prices, and demand growth (1.8% CAGR). Uses 2024 ATB moderate projections and AEO2023 Reference natural gas prices. Reflects state and federal electricity sector policies as of August 2024, including the Inflation Reduction Act and the Clean Air Act Section 111 regulations finalized in May 2024. IRA Production and Investment Tax Credits are represented as not phasing out. This metric is described in NLR's Cambium model as "Mid-case." * Change from Cambium 2023: Policy snapshot updated from September 2022 to August 2024; nascent technologies (CCS, hydrogen turbines, enhanced geothermal, floating offshore wind, small modular reactors) are no longer included. * **Rapid Decarbonization.** The same base assumptions as the Mid-case, but with lower renewable energy and battery costs and greater performance improvements (2024 ATB advanced projections), combined with higher natural gas prices (AEO2023 Low Oil and Gas Supply trajectory). IRA Production and Investment Tax Credits are represented as not phasing out. This metric is described in NLR's Cambium model as "Low Renewable Energy and Battery Costs With High Natural Gas Prices." * Change from Cambium 2023: Replaces the previous "95% decarbonization by 2050" scenario; rapid decarbonization is now driven by favorable economics rather than an imposed national emissions constraint. * **Slow Decarbonization.** The same base assumptions as the Mid-case, but renewable energy and battery costs are higher and performance improvements lesser (using 2024 ATB conservative projections). IRA Production and Investment Tax Credits are represented as not phasing out. This metric is described in NLR's Cambium model as "High Renewable Energy and Battery Costs." * Change from Cambium 2023: Scenario now varies battery costs alongside renewable energy costs (previously only renewable energy costs varied under the "High Cost of Renewable Energy" label). #### Canada In order to ensure accurate operational emissions estimations for the lifecycle of a building in C.Scale, a similar method to incorporating U.S. Grid Data was employed. Using [measured Grid Data](https://data-donnees.ec.gc.ca/data/substances/monitor/canada-s-official-greenhouse-gas-inventory/C-Tables-Electricity-Canada-Provinces-Territories/?lang=en) and [future projection data](https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/5a6abd9d-d343-41ef-a525-7a1efb686300), yearly Canadian Grid emissions are estimated through 2110 with three different decarbonization scenarios so that operational emissions of any C.Scale project started before 2050 can be effectively estimated over a 60 year lifetime. Given the uncertainty of future grid emissions, the three decarbonization forecasts included represent the following scenarios: * **Expected Decarbonization:** Current policies are maintained, including an assumption that non-emitting materials comprise 80% of electricity generation by 2030, and comprise 89% of generation by 2050. Where electricity generation comes from emitting technologies, carbon capture and storage units are to be built. Electricity Storage becomes possible, as well as inter-provincial transmission, allowing excess generation to be shared among provinces. This is referred to as “Net Zero Electricity (NZE) Baseline” in Canadian Energy Regulator Energy Future 2021. * **Slower Decarbonization:** Same as NZE Baseline scenario, except there is no inter-provincial transmission of electricity due to high cost of expansion and subsequently, investment is uncertain. Without inter-provincial transmission, provinces with less ability to decarbonize still need to use emitting technologies. This is referred to as “Limited Transmission” Canadian Energy Regulator Energy Future 2021. * **Rapid Decarbonization:** Same as NZE Baseline scenario, but carbon pricing reaches the point that investment in renewables is more financially sensible than emitting carbon. The high cost of carbon will see non-emitting technology grow more rapidly than in the NZE baseline scenario. This is referred to as “High Carbon Price” in Canadian Energy Regulator Energy Future 2021. To fill in geographic gaps in future grid emissions for Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon, national grid projections for each scenario were used to forecast decarbonization in these three provinces. **EU + UK** #### United Kingdom C.Scale has three scenarios describing the future decarbonization of the electrical grid in the United Kingdom, based on the National Grid ESO's [Future Energy Scenarios](https://www.nationalgrideso.com/future-energy/future-energy-scenarios-fes/fes-documents) (FES). * **Expected Decarbonization**. Based on the System Transformation scenario from FES, where the UK meets its net zero target in 2050. * **Slow Decarbonization**. Based on the Falling Short scenario from FES, where the UK does not meet its target of net zero by 2050. This scenario still shows some progress on decarbonization, but much lower than other scenarios. * **Rapid Decarbonization**. Based on the Leading the Way scenario from FES, where the UK meets its net zero target in 2046. #### EU Countries For locations across the EU, we reference [data from the European Environment Agency](https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/indicators/greenhouse-gas-emission-intensity-of-1) for present-day emissions for each country. For future emissions, we consider three scenarios: * **Expected Decarbonization**. The country achieves an 80% reduction relative their present-day emissions by 2050, in alignment with the trajectory of a bloc-wide goal of a 90% reduction by 2040 relative to emissions in 1990. * **Slow Decarbonization**. The country falls short, achieving only a 20% reduction by 2050 relative their present-day emissions. * **Rapid Decarbonization**. The country achieves a 99% decarbonization by 2050 relative their present-day emissions.C **ANZ** #### Australia Present-day electrical grid emissions in Australia are cited from data provided by the Australian Energy Market Operator. As of 2024, Australia is developing a [2050 Net Zero Plan](https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/emissions-reduction/net-zero/electricity-and-energy-sector-plan), but it is not yet published. * **Expected Decarbonization**. Australia achieves an 80% reduction relative their present-day emissions by 2050. * **Slow Decarbonization**. Australia alls short, achieving only a 20% reduction by 2050 relative their present-day emissions. * **Rapid Decarbonization**. Australia achieves a 99% decarbonization by 2050 relative their present-day emissions. **Gulf Countries** #### Saudi Arabia Present-day electricity-related emissions in Saudi Arabia are from [EMBER](https://ember-energy.org/about/). Saudi Arabia has a [goal of a net zero economy by 2060](https://www.kapsarc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/KS-2023-DP31-Saudi-Arabia-Net-Zero-GHG-Emissions-by-2060-Transformation-of-the-Electricity-Sector.pdf), but data is not published on emissions rates on a kWh-basis. * **Expected Decarbonization**. Saudi Arabia achieves an 90% reduction relative their present-day emissions by 2060. * **Slow Decarbonization**. Saudi Arabia falls short, achieving only a 20% reduction by 2060 relative their present-day emissions. * **Rapid Decarbonization**. Saudi Arabia achieves a 99% decarbonization by 2060 relative their present-day emissions. #### United Arab Emirates The UAE has a plan to achieve a electricity grid carbon intensity of 0.27 kgCO₂e/kWh by the year 2030, and net zero by 2050. However, these plans indicate a percentage of gas and coal remaining on the grid in 2050, suggesting that the actual incurred emissions will not be zero. * **Expected Decarbonization**. The Emirates achieve an 80% reduction relative their present-day emissions by 2050, and are on track to achieving their stated 2060 goal. * **Slow Decarbonization**. The Emirates falls short, achieving only a 20% reduction by 2050 relative their present-day emissions. * **Rapid Decarbonization**. The Emirates achieves a 99% decarbonization by 2050 relative their present-day emissions. **Southeast Asia** #### Singapore Present-say emission factors are from [EMA](https://www.ema.gov.sg/resources/singapore-energy-statistics/chapter2). Singapore has a goal of a net zero electricity sector by 2045. * **Expected Decarbonization**. Singapore achieves an 90% reduction relative their present-day emissions by 2045. * **Slow Decarbonization**. Singapore falls short, achieving only a 20% reduction by 2045 relative their present-day emissions. * **Rapid Decarbonization**. Singapore achieves a 99% decarbonization by 2045 relative their present-day emissions. C.Scale evaluates energy use on an annual basis. The carbon emissions from electricity, however, vary hour by hour. Depending on the use type and location, this can lead to a difference of as much as +/- 20% between annual (modeled) and hourly (measured) estimates of operational emissions. ## Energy Generation from Onsite Renewables C.Scale calculates energy generation from onsite solar photovoltaic arrays using an API connection to Version 8 of NLR's [PVWatts](https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/) tool. This energy is assumed to displace an equivalent amount of energy demand from the electrical grid and, by doing so, displace a corresponding quantity of emissions (calculated using the Cambium data detailed above). The array area returned by the c.scale is the total area of the array (i.e., inclusive of the space between the panels). The ratio of solar panels to total array area is the Ground Coverage Ratio (GCR). PVWatts is limited to latitudes from -60 to +60 degrees. For latitudes outside this range, we calculate solar potential at the limit (either -60 or +60). If you're using C.Scale to model a PV array at extreme latitudes, use caution. --- ## Site and Landscape Source: https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/site-and-landscape.md Learn how C.Scale estimates land use change emissions, embodied carbon in paving, landscape maintenance emissions and carbon storage for a building's site. C.Scale allows users to approximate the carbon emissions and sequestration associated with site and landscape features. All site area not occupied by the building footprint is assumed to be a combination of hardscape (sidewalks, site walls, paving, parking) and planted areas. ## Construction Emissions and Land Use Change Developing a "greenfield" site (one that has not been previously developed) will release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the disturbance of carbon stocks in soils and vegetation. Emissions from site disturbance and land use change are reported in life cycle stage A5.2 - Jobsite Activities. When a user enters a site area, they have the option to select whether or not the site has been previously developed. If the site has been previously developed, C.Scale treats it as a "brownfield" site with no carbon sequestered in its soil and existing landscape. If the site has not been previously developed, C.Scale treats it as a "greenfield" site with preexisting vegetation. Developing a greenfield site releases carbon emissions from two sources: carbon stored in soil and carbon stored in biomass. C.Scale assumes that 100% of the carbon stored in topsoil is emitted as carbon dioxide. Data on carbon storage in soil is highly regional, and C.Scale uses FAO's Global Soil Organic Carbon data product for this calculation, taking the mean value at the zip code level. To calculate emissions from the removal of above-ground biomass, C.Scale treats the site as vegetated with regionally-specific "low carbon storage" plants at 50% of the site's carrying capacity. More information on how carbon storage in living biomass is calculated in C.Scale is available in the [Stored Carbon](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/stored-avoided-carbon.md#carbon-storage-in-landscape-and-site-features) section of the methodology. ## Embodied Carbon in Paving Assemblies All site area not designated as planted is assumed to be hardscaped. Hardscape emissions were calculated by C.Scale using a parameterized streamlined LCA model built from standard hardscape details. The 20th, 50th, and 80th percentile of the resulting distribution was sampled and used to define emission ranges in C.Scale. A custom carbon intensity of paving assemblies or other landscape features can be entered by passing a kgCO₂e per area (sf or m², depending on the unit system) value directly to the app. The hardscape area is assumed to be the total site area, less the building footprint and plantings. ## Emissions from Landscape Maintenance Emissions from landscape maintenance are calculated per planted area using values from the literature. Maintenance emissions are reported annually in the life cycle stage B2-5. A citation to the current data source is available in the [Reference Data Sources](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/reference-data.md) section of this guide. ## Landscape Stored Carbon For details on quantifying biogenic carbon storage in landscape areas, see [Stored Carbon](https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/stored-avoided-carbon.md).
--- ## Stored Carbon Source: https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/stored-avoided-carbon.md C.Scale estimates the biogenic carbon stored in wood products and landscapes with the EN16449 equation, and reports stored carbon apart from emissions. This page explains how C.Scale estimates biogenic carbon storage in wood products and in landscape and site features. It covers why C.Scale reports stored carbon separately from emissions, the EN16449 equation it uses for wood, and the timing of carbon storage over a project's life. ## Biogenic Carbon Living systems present a particular challenge for carbon emission accounting. Static emission factors are sufficient for manmade or mineral materials, but biogenic materials—those materials, such as forest products, originating from living systems—can’t be as easily summarized. Through photosynthesis, living materials remove carbon from the atmosphere as they grow; and return that carbon to the atmosphere as emissions when they decompose or combust. While the primary mechanisms of biogenic carbon sequestration, storage, and emissions are well understood, they are inconsistently applied and reported across various product and building standards, making comparison and reporting at a building scale challenging. Biogenic carbon can be reported using one of two approaches: * **Biogenic Carbon Emissions (GWP-bio):** When reported as an emission, GWP-bio must be calculated separately from fossil emissions and will include multiple greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Quantification and reporting of biogenic carbon emissions differ between ISO and EN standards and are currently not harmonized across North American and European EPDs. Additionally, some emissions, such as those associated with the burning of biomass during manufacturing, are often omitted based on the assumption that biomass from sustainable forestry and other land management will rapidly grow back and can be assumed to be carbon neutral. * **Biogenic Carbon Storage (stored carbon):** Biogenic carbon (C) contained in bio-based materials can also be reported as an inventory metric. This value represents the quantity of carbon that was previously sequestered over the growth of the plant material and which is stored in the building materials during their useful life. Stored carbon is a simplified metric that does not represent all the complexity of biogenic carbon emissions during production or end of life, that the GWP-bio approach (described above) entails. It also does not include any representation of near-term emissions or how or when the carbon stock eventually leaves the "product system." For these reasons, stored carbon is reported separately from emissions and should not be combined with GWP-total. These values can be used as inputs to models that value short-term and durable carbon storage, such as the [Construction Stored Carbon Standard](https://climatecleanup.org/constructionstoredcarbon/) by Climate Cleanup. ## C.Scale approach C.Scale reports all embodied fossil carbon emissions (GWP-fossil) associated with manufacturing, use, and end-of-life of bio-based materials, but does not include the "negative emissions" from biogenic carbon stored in the product entering the "product system" in modules A1-3, nor the release of CO₂ back to the atmosphere in C3. The model adopts a carbon balance approach over the lifetime of the building. Biogenic carbon storage is only shown as additional information. Currently, C.Scale does not report biogenic carbon emissions (GWP-bio) per life cycle stage. This approach is compatible with the approach adopted by the [Carbon Leadership Forum WBLCA Benchmarking Study v2 (2024)](https://carbonleadershipforum.org/clf-wblca-v2/), and is comparible to results from [OneClick's (TRACI) WBLCA tool](https://oneclicklca.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360015036640-Biogenic-Carbon), and [Tally](https://choosetally.com/methods/) (excluding biogenic carbon). Fossil emissions (GWP-fossil) associated with the extraction, transportation, manufacturing, and disposal of bio-based materials are always counted in the C.Scale model and are reported in the life cycle stage in which they occur. C.Scale assumes that lumber, plywood, and mass timber assemblies are landfilled, recycled, or combusted for energy at the end of their useful life. The mix of landfilling, combustion, and recycling is determined by the EPA analysis of US disposal in 2018. The emissions from these three activities are calculated with the EPA’s Waste Reduction Model (v15). This approach differs from other methods and regulatory standards, such as E15804+A2, where biogenic carbon is reported as an emission (GWP-bio) that can be summed with other emissions (GWP-fossil, GWP-luluc). C.Scale aims to expand this functionality in the future. ## Carbon storage in wood products To calculate stored carbon, C.Scale follows an equation provided in EN16449 and referenced by ISO21930 and EN15804+A2 that estimates the carbon content per volume of product. As materials represented in the C.Scale model are generic, rather than product-specific, the dataset uses standard assumptions for density and moisture content. Carbon Storage is expressed with the following equation: $$ P_{CO_2}= 44/12\ast cf\ast (\frac{ ρ_ω\ast V_ω}{1+ω/100}) $$ Where: $P_{CO_2}$ = the biogenic carbon oxidized as carbon dioxide emissions from the product system into the atmosphere 44/12 = ratio of molecular mass of CO₂ and C molecules $cf$ = carbon fraction of woody biomass (oven dry mass), 0.5 used as a default value $w$ = moisture content of the product, 15% used as a default value $ρ_ω$ = density of woody biomass at that moisture content (kg/m3) $V_w$ = volume of solid wood product at that moisture content (m3) For engineered wood products, wood volume content $V_w = VP \ast$ % wood or bio content in full product $VP$ =gross volume of the wood-based product **Carbon storage in lumber, plywood, and mass timber assemblies should only be counted if those materials are sourced from responsibly managed forests**. Practically, this can mean a number of things. In C.Scale, we identify three criteria contributing to the claim that wood products are responsibly sourced. C.Scale counts carbon storage for every bio-based material whenever D2 is in the project's scope; it does not check how the wood is sourced. As the list below is non-exhaustive, we recommend meeting at least two out of the three criteria below in order to claim climate benefits from carbon storage: * **Transparency and traceability in the supply chain (required)**. Transparency and traceability in the supply chain. Claims can be made about the environmental attributes of timber are impossible to verify without transparency and traceability in the supply chain. This means that a project team should be able to identify: 1. The source forest(s) or supply area(s) * This is the area from which a primary manufacturer sources most or all of its logs, typically a circle drawn around the location of the site of the mill, with the size being dictated by the maximum hauling distance of the logs. 2. The primary manufacturer (sawmill, veneer mill, chip mill, etc.) 3. The fabrication shop (for engineered timber). * **Increasing forest carbon stocks (optional)**. Carbon storage in wood products can only be claimed if the carbon stock of the source forest is maintained or increasing. This means that the forest area is managed and regenerates in a way that either preserves or increases the average level of carbon stored in vegetation and soils, or that high conservation value or high carbon stock forests are not replaced by less ecologically valuable and carbon-rich production forests. * **Certified, recycled, or reclaimed wood (optional)**. The use of recycled or reclaimed wood prolongs its storage of carbon and can displace the use of virgin timber. Certification by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) ensures that sound forestry, audit, and reporting practices are used. **C.Scale assumes that lumber, plywood, and mass timber assemblies are landfilled, recycled, or combusted for energy at the end of their useful life**. The mix of landfilling, combustion, and recycling is determined by the EPA analysis of US disposal in 2018. The emissions from these three activities are calculated with the EPA’s Waste Reduction Model (v15). ## Carbon storage in landscape and site features C.Scale measures the annual carbon storage of in living and growing landscapes. We assume that all plantings will achieve maturity across the building project's reference period. Carbon storage in the landscape is accrued year over year by amortizing the total carbon storage in mature landscapes over the model's reference period. Globally, the storage of carbon in vegetation and soils is a major carbon sink. There are a number of imperatives for greening our built environment—such as [addressing a history of racist redlining](https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/EHP7495), [reducing urban heat island](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1618866718306411), or [contributing to mental wellness](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0033350613002862)—that add positive co-benefits to the carbon storage potential of green space. In C.Scale, the landscaped area is assumed to approach its maximum storage potential (its "carrying capacity") over a 60-year period after site disturbance. The amount of carbon that a landscape can store is location-dependent (i.e., a landscape in Miami can store more carbon than one of a similar size in Arizona). Many designed landscapes undergo regular maintenance. Emissions from the maintenance of carbon-storing landscapes are assessed as embodied emissions. The storage potential of a landscape or green roof depends on its area, its specification (low, moderate, or high storage), and the location of the project. ## Timing of Carbon Storage Carbon storage in structural materials is assessed once in the first year of the project, and landscape sequestration is assessed each year. Biogenic carbon sequestration is evaluated with the following expression: $$ Carbon\ Storage=x_i\ast C_i+\ \sum_{t=1}^{m}\ A_k\ast C_k $$ Where $x_i$ is the quantity of structural wood products $i$, $C_i$ is the carbon content per unit $i$,$A_k$ is the area A of planting type k, and $C_k$ is the carbon sequestration in year $t$ per area of planting $k$. --- ## Avoided Emissions Source: https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/whole-life-carbon/avoided-emissions.md C.Scale counts avoided emissions when an onsite solar PV array exports surplus energy to the grid. They go in Module D2, apart from A to C impacts. The C.Scale model calculates the avoided emissions associated with surplus energy generated on-site through photovoltaic panels. The benefits from exported utilities (e.g., the avoided impact of grid electricity generation) are reported in Module D and as a separate model element called “Avoided Emissions.” Module D must be communicated separately from A-C impacts since it represents benefits outside of the system boundary of the building project. ## Calculation of avoided emissions from surplus energy generation Once production from an onsite solar array has exceeded annual electricity use, C.Scale assumes all additional energy generated by the array displaces the generation of electricity by the electrical grid. The avoided emissions from surplus onsite energy generation are calculated as the emissions that this displaced energy would have incurred. This method assumes that there is no curtailment of PV production and that the carbon emissions of grid electricity when solar energy is produced are substantially similar to the annual average emissions. In locations with a high proportion of solar on the grid, these assumptions will not hold, and skepticism of C.Scale's calculation of avoided emissions is warranted. Read more about curtailment in [this publication ](https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy14osti/60983.pdf)(pdf) from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The assumption of displacement generation will not hold true in all locations, and some skepticism of this estimate is encouraged. Two interrelated situations where C.Scale's assumptions of displaced generation will not hold are when: * Daytime (i.e., when solar is available) emissions from the electrical grid are significantly lower than the national average. * Surplus energy generation is expected to be curtailed by the utility. For an overview of curtailment in the United States, we recommend [this report from NREL](https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy14osti/60983.pdf) (pdf). The generation of excess energy by an onsite solar photovoltaic array displaces the generation an equivalent amount of electricity from the utility grid. This is calculated as follows: $$ Avoided\ carbon\ emissions=\ \sum_{t=1}^{m}\ e_{t}\ast c_{t} $$ Where $e_{t}$ is the excess energy in kWh generated in year $t$ and $c_{t}$ is the carbon intensity of the electrical grid per unit demand in year $t$. This method assumes that there is no curtailment of PV production, and that the carbon emissions of grid electricity when solar energy is produced is substantially similar to the annual average emissions. In locations with a high proportion of solar on the grid, curtailment is likely and skepticism of C.Scale's calculation of avoided emissions is warranted. If you are interested in further analysis of hourly emissions, [please reach out](mailto:hi@cscale.io). --- ## Benchmarking Source: https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/benchmarks.md C.Scale benchmarks embodied carbon against the CLF WBLCA Benchmark Study (2025). Learn what each benchmark covers and how to set scope to compare results. This page explains how C.Scale benchmarks a building's embodied carbon against the Carbon Leadership Forum's WBLCA Benchmark Study (2025). It covers the benchmark dataset, which life cycle stages and building elements each benchmark includes, and how to set up your model to compare with published figures. Currently, there is no comprehensive source of whole-life carbon benchmarking data, as embodied and operational emissions are often tracked and reported separately. Still, sources exist for understanding typical performance for both operational and embodied emissions. C.Scale’s data model makes use of benchmarking data as described below. ## Embodied Carbon Benchmarks C.Scale benchmarks the embodied emissions of a building against the Carbon Leadership Forum’s WBLCA Benchmark Study (2025), providing users with an easy-to-understand reference for whether their building is low-, average-, or high-carbon compared to other buildings. The [CLF WBLCA Benchmark Dataset](https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/A_Harmonized_Dataset_of_High-Resolution_Whole_Building_Life_Cycle_Assessment_Results_in_North_America_i_Data_only_-_i_i_First_Public_Release_i_/28462145/2) includes cradle-to-grave WBLCA results for 239 “new construction” projects across North America. Renovation or tenant improvement (TI) projects and parking garages in the full dataset have not been used for Benchmarking purposes. The [CLF Embodied Carbon Benchmark Report](https://carbonleadershipforum.org/clf-wblca-v2/) establishes Embodied Carbon Intensities (ECI) in kgCO₂e/m² normalized by a project’s gross floor area (GFA) for six general use types: multifamily residential, education, office, public assembly, warehouse and storage, and other. CLF Benchmark models include structure, envelope, interiors, and construction activities, but exclude services (MEP), landscape/site, and operational emissions (including energy use and refrigerants). All WBLCA models in the dataset have been aligned to a reference study period (RSP) of 60 years. When calculating embodied carbon benchmark values, C.Scale aligns background data with the scope selected by the user and compares it to the relevant data in the CLF WBLCA Benchmark Study dataset. Benchmarks can be generated for A1-3, A1-A5, or A-C assessments. Percentile results displayed in the tool include building materials and construction activities (SE or SEI), but always exclude services/MEP, landscape, demolition, and operational emissions (such as energy use and refrigerants). To improve compatibility with published benchmark figures, we suggest users view the model over a 60-year assessment period and adjust the model's scope using the life cycle stage or building element categories available in the project settings panel. ### References * Benke, B., Chafart, M., Shen, Y., Ashtiani, M., Carlisle, S., & Simonen, K. A Harmonized Dataset of High-Resolution Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment Results in North America. figshare. * Benke, B., Aurora, J., Chafart, M., Simonen, K., & Lewis, M. (2025). The Embodied Carbon Benchmark Report. Carbon Leadership Forum. [carbonleadershipforum.org/clf-wblca-v2](https://carbonleadershipforum.org/clf-wblca-v2/) --- ## Reference Data Source: https://docs.cscale.io/the-c-scale-tm-data-model/reference-data.md See the EPDs, LCA databases and studies behind the material, transport, end-of-life, grid, refrigerant and carbon storage factors that C.Scale uses. This page lists the data sources behind C.Scale's calculations, starting with the EPDs and LCA databases used for building material emissions. It also cites the sources for transportation, end-of-life, electricity grid, refrigerant and carbon storage factors, and for material quantity and energy use estimates. ## Background LCIA Data ### Building Material Emissions C.Scale’s material database has been built from a collection of current North American Industry-Average EPDs. When no Industry-Average EPD is available, a generic material is developed based on either representative product EPDs or a published LCA dataset. C.Scale uses the following data sources for EPDs and LCIA data: | Source | Resource | | - | - | | Building Transparency. EC3 (Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator). | [buildingtransparency.org](https://www.buildingtransparency.org/ec3-resources) | | Ökobaudat (German Federal Ministry generic LCA database). | [oekobaudat.de/en.html](https://www.oekobaudat.de/en.html) | | National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). (2025). US Life Cycle Inventory (USLCI) Database. Version 1.2025-06.0. | | | National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). (2026) U.S. Electricity Baseline. Version 1.2026-6.0. | | | NIST. (2026) Construction Materials Database. Version 1.2026-07.0. | | | Swiss Federal Office of the Environment. (2025). Database of the Swiss Federal Administration, BAFU:2025. | | | Circular Ecology. (2024) ICE Database (Inventory of Carbon and Energy). | [circularecology.com/embodied-carbon-footprint-database.html](https://circularecology.com/embodied-carbon-footprint-database.html) | | Flux / Healthy Building Network / thinkstep / Google (2019). Quartz Database. | | | Carbon Conscience. (hardscape carbon intensities) | [carbon-conscience.web.app](https://carbon-conscience.web.app/) | | de Wild-Scholten, M. (2013). Energy payback time and carbon footprint of commercial photovoltaic systems. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. | [doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2013.08.037](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2013.08.037) | ### Transportation Emissions | Source | Resource | | - | - | | Federal LCA Commons. (2025). US Life Cycle Inventory (USLCI). Transportation process datasets, June 2025 (version 1.2025-06.0). | | | US Census Bureau. (2017). 2017 US Commodity Flow Survey Tables. | | | ASHRAE/ICC. Standard 240P (Public Review draft, 2025), Table 6.5.2.1 — default per-mode transport emission factors | | ### End-of-Life Emissions End-of-Life values (C3/C4) from regionally appropriate industry-average EPDs are used in calculations when available and in accordance with a valid Product Category Rule (PCR). When not available emission factors have been sourced from the following datasets: | Source | Resource | | - | - | | US Environmental Protection Agency. (2025). US Environmental Protection Agency/Construction and Demolition Debris (CDD) Management Dataset. | | | National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). (2025). US Life Cycle Inventory (USLCI) Database. Version 1.2025-06.0. | | | Niblick, B., D. Hage, S. Cashman, J. Smith, P. Jain, A. Edelen, T. Townsend, and W. Ingwersen. (2021) “Life Cycle Inventories of End-of-Life Pathways of Construction and Demolition Materials.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-21/162, 2021. | | | Swiss Federal Office of the Environment. (2025). Database of the Swiss Federal Administration, BAFU:2025. | | ### Operational / Electricity Emissions | Source | Resource | | - | - | | NREL. (2025) Cambium 2024 Dataset. . | | | C.Scale internal extrapolation algorithm used to project scenarios outbound from (2051–2110). | | | Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). (2026). Electricity Canada Provinces/Territories 2026 EN Annex 7 tables. | [data-donnees.ec.gc.ca](https://data-donnees.ec.gc.ca/data/substances/monitor/canada-s-official-greenhouse-gas-inventory/C-Tables-Electricity-Canada-Provinces-Territories/?lang=en) | | European Environment Agency (EEA). (2026) Greenhouse gas emission intensity of electricity generation. | [eea.europa.eu](https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/indicators/greenhouse-gas-emission-intensity-of-1) | | UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. (2024) Greenhouse gas reporting: conversion factors 2023. | | ### Refrigerants & Non-CO₂ Characterization | Source | Resource | | - | - | | CIBSE. (2021). TM65: An internationally-applicable methodology for the calculation of embodied carbon in building services engineering. | [cibse.org](https://www.cibse.org/knowledge-research/knowledge-resources/engineering-guidance/cibse-technical-memoranda-tm/tm65-an-internationally-applicable-methodology-for-the-calculation-of-embodied-carbon-in-building-services-engineering/) | | IPCC. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis — AR6 Working Group I (source of GWP100 characterization factors). | [ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1](https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/) | ### Carbon Storage & Sequestration Factors | Source | Resource | | - | - | | ACLCA (2019). Guidance to Calculating Non-LCIA Inventory Metrics in Accordance with ISO 21930:2017. | [lcacenter.org/products/iso-21930-guidance](https://lcacenter.org/products/iso-21930-guidance) | | CEN (2014). EN-16449 — Wood and wood-based products: calculation of biogenic carbon content and conversion to CO₂. | | | Hoxha, E., Passer, A., Saade, M.R.M., Trigaux, D., Shuttleworth, A., Pittau, F., Allacker, K., & Habert, G. (2020). Biogenic carbon in buildings: a critical overview of LCA methods. Buildings and Cities, 1(1), 504–524. | [doi.org/10.5334/bc.46](https://doi.org/10.5334/bc.46) | | Carbon Conscience. | [carbon-conscience.web.app](https://carbon-conscience.web.app/) | | Pathfinder. | [climatepositivedesign.com](https://climatepositivedesign.com/) | | McPherson, E.G. & Simpson, J.R. (1999). Carbon dioxide reduction through urban forestry. USDA Forest Service. | [fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/6779](https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/6779) | | Ingram, D.L., Hall, C.R., & Knight, J. (2016). Carbon footprint and variable costs of production components for a container-grown evergreen shrub using life cycle assessment: An east coast US model. HortScience, 51(8), 989–994. | [doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.51.8.989](http://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.51.8.989) | | Gu, C., Crane, J., Hornberger, G., & Carrico, A. (2015). The effects of household management practices on the global warming potential of urban lawns. Science of the Total Environment. | [ sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479715000092](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479715000092) | | Jones, K. (2010). Landscaping Carbon Footprint \[PDF]. University of Florida IFAS. | [buildgreen.ifas.ufl.edu](https://buildgreen.ifas.ufl.edu/ppt/Handout_Landscaping_Carbon_Footprint.pdf) | | FAO. Global Soil Organic Carbon Map (GSOCmap). | [fao.org](https://www.fao.org/soils-portal/data-hub/soil-maps-and-databases/global-soil-organic-carbon-map-gsocmap/en/) | ## Material Quantity & Energy Use Estimates ### Material Quantity Estimates | Source | Resource | | - | - | | Price & Myers. Climate Action Dataset. | [pricemyers.com/climate-action](https://www.pricemyers.com/climate-action) | | MIT Building Technology Program / ETH Zurich Circular Engineering for Architecture Lab. deQo — Database of Embodied Quantity Outputs. | [carbondeqo.com](https://www.carbondeqo.com/) | | RASMI (2024). Harmonized building material intensity database. Scientific Data. | [nature.com/articles/s41597-024-03190-7](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-024-03190-7) | | Payette. (2021). Kaleidoscope Embodied Carbon Design Tool. (Reference cladding and roofing assemblies with typical quantity take-offs) | [payette.com/kaleidoscope](https://www.payette.com/kaleidoscope/) | | Carbon Leadership Forum (2018). Interior Fit-Out (TI) Study and MEP Study. | [carbonleadershipforum.org/office-buildings-lca](https://carbonleadershipforum.org/office-buildings-lca/) | | C.Scale internal structural-quantity assumptions — internal, info on request. | | ### Refrigerant & Equipment Quantities | Source | Resource | | - | - | | Rodriguez, B. (2019). Embodied Carbon of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigerants (HVAC+R) Systems \[dissertation]. University of Washington. | [digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/handle/1773/44736](https://digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/handle/1773/44736) | ### Baseline Energy Use & On-Site Generation Estimates | Source | Resource | | - | - | | Architecture 2030. Zero Tool. . (References CBECS 2003 / RECS 2003 baselines) | [zerotool.org/zerotool](https://zerotool.org/zerotool/) | | NREL. PVWatts Calculator, Version 8. . (solar resource and PV array generation estimates) | [pvwatts.nrel.gov/version_8.php](https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/version_8.php) | --- # Resources --- ## Resources Source: https://docs.cscale.io/resources.md Find the C.Scale Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, the legal pages that cover your use of the C.Scale carbon app and Tally, and their update dates. --- ## Terms of Use Source: https://docs.cscale.io/resources/terms-of-use.md Last updated: July 19, 2026 ## Terms of Use Welcome, and thank you for your interest in Climate Scale Inc., a Delaware public benefit corporation ("C.Scale", "us," "we," "our"). Our whole life carbon platform supports climate-positive design decisions across the building design and delivery life cycle, and allows AECO Users (as defined herein) to connect with building product manufacturers through related tools and services made available at [https://cscale.io](https://cscale.io/) (collectively, the "Services"). Please read this C.Scale Terms of Use Agreement ("Terms of Use") carefully. To sign-up for or purchase a subscription to any of the Services hereunder, you must either: register for and purchase a subscription at app.cscale.io (any such online registration and purchase request that is accepted by C.Scale is hereafter referred to as an "Order"). As part of the ordering or registration process, you must identify the applicable customer ("Customer"). Each Order may also identify usage caps or limitations, such as the number of Authorized Users. C.Scale will not be required, by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise, to provide to Customer any part or portion of the Services which are not expressly covered by such Order. All Orders will be deemed to be a part of this Agreement and are hereby incorporated by reference. These Terms of Use, together with all Orders may collectively be referred to as the "Agreement". As used herein, an "AECO User" means a Customer that is an architecture, engineering, construction, or operations organization accessing the Services to evaluate and select building products for its projects. A "BPM Partner" means a building product manufacturer that accesses the Services to receive data generated through AECO User design activity, engages with AECO Users, and makes its product data available through the Services. BPM Partners are subject to all applicable terms and conditions of this Agreement. The term "Customer" as used throughout this Agreement shall also apply to an AECO User and BPM Partner (as defined below), unless the context otherwise requires. > **THIS AGREEMENT SETS FORTH THE LEGALLY BINDING CONTRACT BETWEEN C.SCALE AND CUSTOMER THAT GOVERNS USE OF THE SERVICES. BY CLICKING "I ACCEPT," OR EXECUTING AN ORDER, YOU REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT: (1) CUSTOMER HAS READ, UNDERSTANDS, AND AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THIS AGREEMENT, (2) THE CUSTOMER IS NOT BARRED FROM USING THE SERVICES UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, ITS PLACE OF RESIDENCE OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION, AND (3) YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT PERSONALLY OR ON BEHALF OF CUSTOMER. IF CUSTOMER DOES NOT AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF USE, THEN YOU AND/OR CUSTOMER MAY NOT ACCESS OR USE THE SERVICES. BY CLICKING "I ACCEPT" OR EXECUTING OR SUBMITTING AN ORDER, CUSTOMER IS ACCEPTING AND AGREEING TO BE BOUND BY ALL OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.** > > **IF CUSTOMER SUBSCRIBES TO ANY OF THE SERVICES FOR A TERM (AS USED HERE, AN "INITIAL TERM"), THEN, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED IN THE ORDER, CUSTOMER'S SUBSCRIPTION WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY RENEWED FOR ADDITIONAL PERIODS OF THE SAME DURATION AS THE INITIAL TERM AT C.SCALE'S THEN-CURRENT FEES UNLESS CUSTOMER DECLINES TO RENEW THE SUBSCRIPTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 3.3 BELOW.** This Agreement is subject to occasional revision, and C.Scale reserves the right to modify fees for accessing or using the Services in the future. See Section 7.4 of this Agreement for further information about changes to this Agreement. If C.Scale has made the Services (or any portion thereof) available to Customer under a "free trial", "pilot", or "pre-release" basis then, unless expressly indicated in the applicable Order, any such access or use of the Services are provided on an "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" basis without warranty or support of any kind, express or implied. *** ### 1. Services #### 1.1 Access and Use of Services Subject to Customer's ongoing compliance with this Agreement (including timely payment of all applicable fees), C.Scale grants Customer a non-exclusive, non-transferable right, during the Subscription Term, to access and use the Services set forth in the applicable Order in accordance with any usage caps or limitations set forth in the applicable Order solely for Customer's internal business purposes (or, in the case of a BPM Partner, for the purposes of engaging with AECO Users and providing product data through the Services), and solely in accordance with the published documentation for the Services ("Documentation"). Customer is solely responsible for ensuring that its systems meet the hardware, software and any other applicable system requirements for the Services as specified in the Documentation. #### 1.2 Accounts As part of the set-up process, Customer may be asked to create one or more accounts on the Services for itself and/or its Authorized Users (defined below) (each, an "Account") and provide certain information as prompted in the account registration process. Customer represents and warrants that: (i) all required Account registration information submitted is truthful and accurate; and (ii) Customer will maintain the accuracy of such information. Customer is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all Account login information and is fully responsible for all activities that occur under Customer's and its Authorized Users' Accounts. Customer will use reasonable efforts to prevent any unauthorized access or use of the Services and Customer agrees to immediately notify C.Scale of any unauthorized use, or suspected unauthorized use, of the Accounts or any other breach of security. Additionally, if there is unauthorized access or use by anyone who obtained access directly or indirectly through Customer or its Authorized Users, Customer will also take all steps reasonably necessary to terminate the unauthorized access or use and cooperate and assist with any actions taken by C.Scale to remediate any issues resulting from, or related to, such unauthorized access or use. C.Scale will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from any unauthorized use of the Accounts or Customer's failure to comply with the above requirements. #### 1.3 Authorized Users Customer will only permit the Services to be accessed by Customer's employees and contractors that are authorized by Customer to access the applicable Services solely for Customer's internal business purposes (or, in the case of a BPM Partner, for the purposes described in Section 1.1) ("Authorized Users"), provided that Customer shall remain liable for all acts and omissions of such users. Customer is solely responsible for determining the level of access and privileges granted to its Authorized Users. Customer will ensure its Authorized Users' use of the Services is in compliance with the terms of this Agreement and Customer will be solely responsible for enforcing any of Customer's internal policies regarding its Authorized Users' use of the Services. #### 1.4 Reports Customer acknowledges that the Services leverage artificial intelligence ("AI") technology, including for the purpose of generating construction specifications and whole life carbon assessments for buildings. Due to the nature of AI technology, reports that the Services generate through use of AI ("Reports") may be unpredictable, and may include inaccurate or incomplete responses. Before using any Reports, Customer is solely responsible for reviewing the Reports for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable laws and acceptable use policies. Customer assumes all responsibility for the Reports. All Reports will be deemed to be "Customer Content" that is owned by Customer; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement will be deemed to restrict C.Scale or the Services from providing the same or similar Reports to any other customer or user. Customer is and will remain fully responsible and liable for the use and deployment of the Services for Customer's use case and Customer acknowledges that C.Scale does not control how Customer deploys or implements the Services. Customer will at all times use the Services in compliance with applicable laws. Additionally, Customer will not use the Services as part of an automated decision-making process with legal or similarly significant effects, unless Customer ensures that the final decision is made by a human being. #### 1.5 Third Party Services To enable the full functionality of the Services, Customer may be required to connect and integrate the Services with Customer's accounts on third party services (collectively, the "Third Party Services"), including by providing C.Scale with keys or other credentials to access such Third Party Services. As between the parties, Customer is solely responsible for determining if the Third Party Services are appropriate for use with the Services and for obtaining all necessary consents, permissions, approvals, or licenses to access and use the Third Party Services. Without limiting the foregoing, if Customer or an Authorized User provides C.Scale with access to any third party application programming interfaces ("APIs"), API keys or other credentials for the purpose of connecting or integrating the Services with the Third Party Services, then Customer represents and warrants that it has obtained all necessary consents, permissions, approvals, and/or licenses to access and use, and permit C.Scale to access and use, the same for the purpose of performing its obligations and exercising its rights under this Agreement. Customer assumes all risks associated with use of any Third Party Services, and for any issues caused by Customer's use of any third party hardware, software, or services not provided by C.Scale. Customer will retain ownership of all of its rights in any data, information, materials and content that is stored in or accessible via such Third Party Service (the "Customer Data"). Customer is solely responsible for such Customer Data, including for backing up Customer Data and ensuring any Customer Data is adequately encrypted or protected. C.Scale expressly disclaims all warranties or obligations with respect to storage or back up of Customer Data. C.Scale does not endorse, warrant or support, is not responsible for, and disclaims all liability with respect to, such Third Party Services, including without limitation, the privacy or data security practices or other policies related to such Third Party Services. #### 1.6 Restrictions The Services are made available to Customer solely for its own internal business purpose and use (or, in the case of a BPM Partner, for the purposes described in Section 1.1). To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Customer shall not, directly or indirectly, and shall not authorize any person to: 1. decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer or attempt to reconstruct or discover any source code, structure, ideas, algorithms, or other hidden or non-public elements of, 2. translate, adapt, publish, reproduce, distribute or modify, 3. write or develop any program based upon or incorporate into any product or service Customer provides to a third party, 4. use in any manner for the purpose of developing, distributing or making accessible products or services that are similar to or compete with, 5. sell, sublicense, transfer, assign, lease, rent, distribute, or grant a security interest in any rights in, 6. make available on a service bureau basis, as part of any third party's product offering (regardless of hosting or distribution model) or otherwise access or use (or permit a third party to access and use) for the benefit of a third party, 7. allow unauthorized persons to have access to, 8. transmit unlawful, infringing or harmful data, content or code to or from, 9. copy or replicate, 10. interfere with, disrupt, or create an undue burden on (or violate the regulations, policies or procedures of) any servers or networks connected to, 11. attempt to gain unauthorized access to or interfere with any license key mechanism in or otherwise circumvent any mechanism intended to limit use of, 12. alter or remove any trademarks or proprietary notices contained in or on, 13. engage in framing, mirroring, or otherwise simulating the appearance or function of, 14. perform or publish any performance or benchmark tests or analyses relating to, or 15. otherwise use except as expressly permitted hereunder, in each case of (i) through (xv), in whole or in part, the Services (and all technology and intellectual property constituting or used to provide the Services, including AI systems, Models, and methodologies) and all related Documentation (collectively, "C.Scale Technology"). #### 1.7 Free Trial If C.Scale has made a part of the Services (or any specific features or functionality thereof) available to Customer on a "free trial", "freemium", "pilot" or "pre-release" basis, then unless expressly indicated in the applicable Order: (i) C.Scale will be free to terminate or suspend Customer's access thereto for any reason at any time and without liability of any kind, and (ii) notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any such access to the applicable part of the Services is provided on an "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" basis without warranty or support of any kind, express or implied. **IF CUSTOMER SUBSEQUENTLY PURCHASES A SUBSCRIPTION TO THE SERVICES FOLLOWING A FREE TRIAL, CUSTOMER'S FREE TRIAL ACCESS SHALL ROLL-OVER INTO A PAID SUBSCRIPTION UPON EXPIRATION OF THE FREE TRIAL, AND CUSTOMER EXPRESSLY AGREES THAT, UNLESS CUSTOMER HAS A SEPARATE SIGNED AGREEMENT GOVERNING CUSTOMER'S ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE SERVICES, THIS AGREEMENT, AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS HEREIN, SHALL GOVERN CUSTOMER'S USE OF SUCH SERVICES.** *** ### 2. Fees, Payment #### 2.1 Fees; Payment Terms Customer agrees to pay to C.Scale the fees for each of the Services that Customer purchases or uses in accordance with the pricing and payment terms set forth in the Order, as may be updated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The fee structure, billing frequency, and payment terms applicable to BPM Partners may differ from those applicable to AECO Users, as specified in the applicable Order. Unless otherwise expressly set forth in an Order, all recurring fees for Services subscriptions will be billed to Customer in advance. Unless otherwise expressly set forth in an Order, Customer's Services subscription will continue and automatically renew on a recurring basis at regular intervals in accordance with Customer's elections at the time of sign up or in the applicable Order, unless and until Customer terminates Customer's subscription in accordance with Section 3, or Customer's Account is otherwise suspended or terminated pursuant to this Agreement. The applicable subscription fees for any Renewal Subscription Terms (defined below) will be charged at C.Scale's then-current list price, until the subscription or this Agreement terminates in accordance with this Agreement. C.Scale reserves the right to change the terms, including pricing, for subscriptions to the Services from time to time in accordance with Section 7.4. If Customer does not agree with such changes, Customer may terminate Customer's subscription to the Services as set forth in Section 7.4. C.Scale will use commercially reasonable efforts to notify Customer of these changes, including by sending a notice to an email address associated with Customer's Account. C.Scale will not be able to notify Customer of any changes in applicable taxes in advance. #### 2.2 Payment Method Customer will be billed for all amounts due under this Agreement using the payment method provided by Customer to C.Scale's third party payment processor at the time of sign-up; provided however, that Customer may update its payment method by contacting C.Scale Support at [hi@cscale.io](mailto:hi@cscale.io). Customer acknowledges that C.Scale's current payment processor is Stripe, Inc. and Customer agrees to be bound by Stripe's Privacy Policy (currently accessible at [https://stripe.com/us/privacy](https://stripe.com/us/privacy)) and its Terms of Service (currently accessible at [https://stripe.com/ssa](https://stripe.com/ssa)) and hereby consents and authorizes C.Scale and Stripe to share any information and payment instructions provided with one or more payment providers to the minimum extent required to complete the transactions. Customer must provide current, complete, and accurate information for Customer's billing Account and promptly update all information to keep Customer's billing Account current, complete, and accurate. Fees paid by Customer are non-refundable, except as provided in this Agreement or when required by law. In the event of a failed attempt to charge to Customer's credit card (e.g., if Customer's credit card has expired), C.Scale reserves the right to retry billing Customer's credit card. In the event that Customer or C.Scale (through our payment service providers) update Customer's credit card information to remedy a change in validity or expiration date, C.Scale may automatically resume billing Customer for its paid subscription to the Services. C.Scale may suspend or cancel Customer's access to the Services if C.Scale remains unable to successfully charge the credit card information associated with Customer's Account. Additionally, C.Scale may charge Customer interest on overdue fees at the rate of 1.5% per month (or the highest rate permitted by law, if less) on the amount overdue. #### 2.3 Automatic Renewal Customer must terminate any automatically renewing subscription to the applicable Services at least five (5) days before it renews in accordance with this Agreement in order to avoid billing of the recurring subscription fees to Customer. By choosing an automatically renewing subscription plan, Customer acknowledges that it has a recurring payment feature and Customer accepts responsibility for all recurring charges prior to termination. If there are no valid payment methods on file for Customer, C.Scale may send Customer invoices for any amounts due, and Customer will pay such invoices within thirty (30) days of Customer's receipt thereof. #### 2.4 Taxes Prices do not include, and Customer must pay or reimburse C.Scale for, all federal, state, local, sales, use, value added, excise, or other taxes, fees, or duties arising out of this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (other than taxes based on C.Scale's net income). If C.Scale has a legal obligation to pay or collect sales tax for which Customer is responsible, C.Scale will calculate the sales tax based upon the billing information it has about Customer and charge Customer that amount (which, if Customer's billing information is incomplete or inaccurate, may be the highest prevailing rate then in effect), unless Customer timely provides C.Scale with a valid tax exemption certificate acceptable to the appropriate taxing authority. *** ### 3. Term and Termination #### 3.1 Term This Agreement will start on the effective date of Customer's first Order and, unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Agreement, will continue until all Orders hereunder have expired or been terminated for ninety (90) days. Additionally, in the event that all Orders have expired or terminated, either party may terminate this Agreement upon written notice to the other party. #### 3.2 Subscription Term; Automatic Renewal The duration of Customer's initial subscription term for each Order will be as set forth in such Order ("Initial Subscription Term"), and, unless otherwise indicated in the Order, shall automatically renew on a recurring basis for additional subscription periods of the same duration as the Initial Subscription Term (as applicable, a "Renewal Subscription Term") until terminated or cancelled by Customer or C.Scale as set forth below. The Initial Subscription Term of an Order, together with any applicable Renewal Subscription Term(s) for such Order, are collectively, the "Subscription Term." #### 3.3 Termination of Recurring Subscriptions Unless otherwise set forth in an Order, either party may cancel any automatically renewing subscription(s) under this Agreement by providing the other party with at least five (5) days' notice of its intent to terminate prior to the end of the then-current Subscription Term. Customer should send notices of termination to [hi@cscale.io](mailto:hi@cscale.io). If Customer cancels or C.Scale terminates a subscription as set forth above, then Customer will continue to have access to the applicable Services until completion of Customer's then-current Subscription Term (or, if terminated within five (5) days of renewal, completion of the next Renewal Subscription Term), provided that Customer has timely paid all applicable fees and remains in compliance with the terms of this Agreement. #### 3.4 Termination for Cause C.Scale may terminate this Agreement and/or any applicable Order, in whole or in part, by written notice if Customer fails to pay within ten (10) days after notice of nonpayment for any amounts owed to C.Scale. Additionally, either party may terminate this Agreement and all Orders in the event that: (i) the other party is in material breach of this Agreement, which is not cured within thirty (30) days after written notice of such breach, or (ii) the other party files for or is adjudicated bankrupt or suffers any other analogous event. #### 3.5 Effect of Termination Upon the effective date of expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason: (i) all outstanding Orders and access to C.Scale Technology will automatically terminate, and (ii) all outstanding payment obligations of Customer become due and payable immediately. All definitions and the following provisions will survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason: 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2, 3.5, 3.6 and 4 through 7. #### 3.6 Delinquent Accounts; Suspension C.Scale reserves the right to suspend, terminate, or downgrade any or all of the Services, in its sole discretion, if any amount under an Order is due but unpaid until such time as all amounts due under this Agreement are paid in full. In addition to the amount due for the Services, Customer will be charged with fees or charges that are incidental to any chargebacks or collection of any such unpaid amounts including collection fees. Additionally, C.Scale reserves the right to suspend Customer and/or its Authorized Users' access to the Services or any portion thereof at any time: (i) in the event that C.Scale suspects that Customer or any of its Authorized Users is using the Services in violation of this Agreement, (ii) as described in C.Scale's Intellectual Property Policy, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "IP Policy"), or (iii) if C.Scale otherwise believes such action is reasonable to comply with any applicable law, regulation or court order. *** ### 4. License; Ownership #### 4.1 License from Customer As between the parties, Customer retains its ownership of all right, title and interest in and to any content, materials, or data that is uploaded, transmitted or otherwise provided to the Services by or on behalf of, or at the direction of, Customer or its Authorized Users, including Customer Data (collectively, the "Customer Content"), provided that C.Scale is hereby granted a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, fully paid-up, transferable, sublicensable, irrevocable, right and license to: 1. use, copy, reproduce, modify, adapt, prepare derivative works from, translate, distribute, perform, and display the Customer Content (in whole or in part) (a) for the purposes of operating and providing the Services to Customer and Customer's Authorized Users, (b) and on a de-identified, aggregated basis ("Aggregate Data"), to provide, improve, and enhance Services and for research and development of C.Scale's other products and services; and (c) to train C.Scale's AI algorithms and systems and machine learning models (collectively, "Models"), provided, however, if Customer is an enterprise Customer with a subscription to the Services, Customer may opt-out of using such Aggregate Data to train Models within Customer's enterprise account; and 2. collect, access, process, and analyze log and other data related to the Services and the provision, use and performance and various aspects of the Services and related systems technologies and use such data to troubleshoot, improve and enhance the Services, and for other development, diagnostic, security and corrective purposes. Customer hereby irrevocably waives (and agrees to cause to be waived) any claims and assertions of moral rights or attribution with respect to the Customer Content. Customer may not represent or imply to others that the Customer Content is in any way provided, sponsored or endorsed by C.Scale. Although C.Scale has no obligation to monitor Customer's use of the Services, C.Scale may do so and may prohibit any use of the Services it believes may be (or is alleged to be) in violation of this Agreement, applicable laws, or any acceptable use policies identified in the Services or any Documentation thereto. #### 4.2 Customer Content Restrictions; Acceptable Use Policy This section, and Customer's use restrictions and obligations therein, is herein referred to as the acceptable use policy ("Acceptable Use Policy"). The Customer Content made accessible on the Services, including but not limited to any data, models, content, text, and other materials that are collected, uploaded to, or otherwise provided to the Services by or on behalf of Customer or its Authorized Users are the sole responsibility of Customer. This means that: (a) Customer, and not C.Scale, is solely responsible for all Customer Content that is accessible through the Services, including its accuracy, completeness, and suitability, and (b) other third party users, and not C.Scale, are solely responsible for any content, materials or data that is uploaded, transmitted or otherwise provided to the Services by or on behalf of, or at the direction of, such third party users ("Third Party Content"). Customer acknowledges that C.Scale has no obligation to pre-screen Customer Content or Third Party Content, although C.Scale reserves the right in its sole discretion to pre-screen, refuse or remove any Customer Content or Third Party Content from the Services, including if C.Scale believes it violates this Agreement or is otherwise objectionable. Since C.Scale does not control Customer Content or Third Party Content, Customer acknowledges and agrees that C.Scale is not responsible for any Customer Content or Third Party Content, whether provided by Customer, its Authorized Users, or by third party users. C.Scale makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, currency, suitability, appropriateness, or quality of any Customer Content or Third Party Content. Customer further agrees, represents, and warrants that: 1. the Customer Content will not contain any content or material that is illegal, or include any content and material that violates, infringes, or misappropriates any third party's intellectual property rights, constitutes an invasion of privacy or misappropriation of publicity rights, or otherwise violates C.Scale's IP Policy, 2. Customer and its Authorized Users will not use the Services or transmit Customer Content in a manner that is or could be harassing, abusive, tortious, threatening, harmful, harmful to minors in any way, invasive of another's privacy, vulgar, defamatory, false, intentionally misleading, trade libelous, indecent, pornographic, obscene, patently offensive, promotes racism, bigotry, hatred, or physical harm of any kind against any group or individual, 3. the Customer Content will not contain any computer code, programs, or programming devices that are designed to disrupt, modify, access, delete, damage, deactivate, disable, harm, or otherwise impede in any manner, the operation of the Services or any other associated software, firmware, hardware, computer system, or network (including, without limitation, "Trojan horses," "viruses," "worms," "time bombs," "time locks," "devices," "traps," "access codes," or "drop dead" or "trap door" devices) or any other harmful, malicious, or hidden procedures, routines or mechanisms that would cause the Services to cease functioning or to damage or corrupt data, storage media, programs, equipment, or communications, or otherwise interfere with operation, 4. Customer and its Authorized Users will not send through the Services unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, junk mail, spam, chain letters, pyramid schemes, or any other form of duplicative or unsolicited messages, whether commercial or otherwise, 5. Customer and its Authorized Users will not use the Services to harvest, collect, gather or assemble information or data regarding third party users, including e-mail addresses, without their consent, 6. Customer and its Authorized Users will not interfere with, disrupt, or create an undue burden on servers or networks connected to the Services, or violate the regulations, policies or procedures of such networks, 7. Customer and its Authorized Users will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Services (or to other computer systems or networks connected to or used together with the Services), whether through password mining or any other means, 8. Customer and its Authorized Users will not harass or interfere with any third party users' use and enjoyment of the Services, 9. Customer and its Authorized Users will not use software or automated agents or scripts to produce multiple Accounts on the Services, or to generate automated searches, requests, or queries to (or to strip, scrape, or mine data from) the Services, 10. Customer and its Authorized Users will not provide or make accessible on the Services any Customer Content that is otherwise objectionable to C.Scale in its sole discretion, 11. Customer and Authorized Users will not provide any Customer Content that contains Sensitive Information to the Services. As used herein, "Sensitive Information" means: (A) individually identifiable health information or protected health information as those terms are defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA") and its implementing regulations, (B) credit, debit or other payment card data subject to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard ("PCI DSS"), (C) Social Security numbers, Social Insurance numbers, passport numbers, driver's license numbers or other government-issued identification numbers, or (D) financial account numbers. Customer acknowledges that C.Scale is not a business associate (as that term is defined under HIPAA) or a payment card processor. Customer acknowledges that the Services are not designed to be HIPAA compliant. C.Scale reserves the right (but has no obligation) to review, refuse and/or remove any Customer Content in its sole discretion, and to investigate and/or take appropriate action against Customer in C.Scale's sole discretion if Customer violates the Acceptable Use Policy or any other provision of this Agreement or otherwise creates liability for C.Scale or any other person. Such appropriate action may include removing or modifying the Customer Content, terminating the Account in accordance with this Agreement, and/or reporting Customer or its Authorized Users to law enforcement authorities. #### 4.3 Other Users Customer's interactions with third party users of the Services are solely between Customer and such third party users. Customer agrees that C.Scale will not be responsible for any loss or damage incurred as the result of any such interactions. If there is a dispute between Customer and any third party user, C.Scale is under no obligation to become involved. #### 4.4 Data Privacy and Security If Customer is using the Services through an individual account, rather than through an enterprise account (as an Authorized User), Customer acknowledges that C.Scale will use Customer Data in accordance with the Privacy Policy. C.Scale will process Customer Content only as is reasonably necessary to provide the Services and as otherwise set forth in the Agreement. C.Scale will implement and maintain commercially reasonable technical and organizational measures designed to protect Customer Content against accidental, unauthorized, or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, or disclosure. Customer shall ensure (and is solely responsible for ensuring) that it has given such notices to and obtained such consents and permissions from all relevant third parties (including, without limitation, Authorized Users), and has reserved all rights, in each case, as may be required under applicable law or otherwise for C.Scale to process Customer Content to provide the Services as contemplated by the Agreement. #### 4.5 Platform Data Sharing The Services operate as a design platform for AECO Users, allowing them to connect with BPM Partners. In connection with this functionality, C.Scale may share certain categories of data with BPM Partners as described below: **(a) User Data.** No user data is shared with BPM Partners absent an affirmative action by the AECO User. Certain user data is shared with a BPM Partner only when an AECO User opts into sharing data with a BPM Partner, such as when indicating an interest in a BPM Partner's products or services (e.g., initiating a direct chat with a BPM representative). Upon such action, the BPM Partner will receive the AECO User's name and affiliation. **(b) Firmographic Data.** No individual project data is revealed through firmographic data. Aggregated, non-project-specific data about each AECO User's firm, such as company profile and project summary statistics, is made available to BPM Partners to provide market context. **(c) Project Data.** Project-level data, including approximate location, project name, approximate size, and use category, is shared with BPM Partners. An AECO User may designate a project name as "Confidential," in which case C.Scale will replace the project name with a generic label (e.g., "Confidential Project") before sharing with BPM Partners; provided, however, that all other project data will continue to be shared notwithstanding such designation. #### 4.6 BPM Partner Use Restrictions BPM Partners shall comply with the following restrictions on the use of data received through the Services: **(a) User Data.** BPM Partners may use AECO User contact information received pursuant to Section 4.5(a) solely to respond to the AECO User's inquiry and for ongoing business communications related to the products or services in which the AECO User expressed interest. BPM Partners may add AECO User contact information to their customer relationship management systems; provided, however, BPM Partners must promptly honor any opt-out request from an AECO User and must comply with all applicable anti-spam and data protection laws. **(b) Firmographic and Project Data.** BPM Partners may use firmographic data and project data received pursuant to Sections 4.5(b) and 4.5(c) for internal purposes, including sales engagement, market analysis, and product development, and may share such data within their organization. BPM Partners shall not re-sell, sublicense, or distribute firmographic data or project data to any third party outside of their organization. BPM Partners must respect the "Confidential" project name designation described in Section 4.5(c) and shall not attempt to identify or reverse-engineer the identity of any project designated as "Confidential." #### 4.7 User Credential Storage Customer acknowledges that all personally identifiable information is stored exclusively in C.Scale's third-party authentication provider (currently Clerk) and is not replicated in any other C.Scale database. #### 4.8 Customer Content Data Storage Customer acknowledges that C.Scale does not offer a back-up or archiving of the Services and any Customer Content therein, and that Customer assumes all risks associated with access and use of the Customer Content with the Services. For clarity, C.Scale is not obligated to backup or store any of the Customer Content. C.Scale expressly disclaims all other obligations with respect to storage of such Customer Content. Without limiting the foregoing, C.Scale reserves the right to delete any and all Customer Content in its discretion in the event that Customer terminates its subscription to the Services. #### 4.9 Ownership Except for the limited rights granted in this Agreement, C.Scale hereby retains all right, title and interest, including all intellectual property rights, in and to the C.Scale Technology. **ALL RIGHTS NOT EXPRESSLY GRANTED HEREUNDER ARE RESERVED BY C.SCALE.** #### 4.10 Feedback Customer hereby grants to C.Scale and its affiliates a worldwide, irrevocable, perpetual, sublicensable, royalty-free right and license to use, modify, transmit, reproduce, make derivative works of, disclose and exploit without restriction all feedback and suggestions provided by Customer and its Authorized Users (collectively, "Feedback"), including, without limitation, any information about operating results, known or suspected bugs, errors or compatibility problems, suggested modifications, and user-desired features, regarding the C.Scale Technology or any portion thereof. *** ### 5. Indemnification Customer shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless C.Scale and its officers, directors, employees, consultants, affiliates, subsidiaries and agents (collectively, the "C.Scale Entities") from and against any third party claim, loss, or damage (including reasonable attorney's fees), arising out of or relating to: 1. an allegation that the use by or on behalf of C.Scale in accordance with this Agreement of any of the Customer Content or Third Party Services infringes or misappropriates any third party's rights or violates applicable laws, 2. the use of the Services in combination with material, content, software, technology, products, data or services not developed and provided by C.Scale, including without limitation the Third Party Services, Third Party Content, and Customer Content, 3. Customer's or its Authorized Users' failure to use the Services in accordance with this Agreement or otherwise comply with the terms of this Agreement, 4. any Customer Content, or 5. Customer's violation or alleged violation of Sections 1.4, 1.5 or 1.6 or the Acceptable Use Policy found in Section 4.2. C.Scale will provide Customer with: (a) prompt written notice of; (b) control over the defense and settlement of; and (c) all information and assistance reasonably requested by Customer in connection with the defense or settlement of, any such claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, C.Scale will at all times have the option to participate in any matter or litigation, including but not limited to participation through counsel of its own selection, if desired, the hiring of such separate counsel being at C.Scale's own expense. *** ### 6. Warranties; Disclaimer; Limitation of Liability #### 6.1 Customer Warranties Customer represents, warrants, and covenants that it has and will maintain during the term of the Agreement all necessary right, title, interest, authorizations, and permissions to: (i) grant rights to, access, provide, provide access to, or request C.Scale access, disclose, or submit, any Customer Content and/or Feedback, and (ii) access and permit C.Scale to access on Customer's behalf any Third Party Services and Customer Content, as applicable. #### 6.2 Disclaimer TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW AND EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT: (i) THE C.SCALE TECHNOLOGY AND ANY OTHER MATERIALS AND CONTENT MADE AVAILABLE BY C.SCALE OR THROUGH THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND ON AN "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS; (ii) THE C.SCALE ENTITIES DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, STATUTORY OR IMPLIED, RELATING TO THE C.SCALE TECHNOLOGY AND ANY OTHER MATERIALS AND CONTENT MADE AVAILABLE BY C.SCALE OR THROUGH THE SERVICES, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, NON-INFRINGEMENT, LOSS OF DATA, ACCURACY OF RESULTS, OR ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING, USAGE, TRADE OR RELIANCE. THE C.SCALE ENTITIES DO NOT WARRANT ANY THIRD PARTY CONTENT OR FUNCTIONALITY. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE C.SCALE ENTITIES DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE C.SCALE TECHNOLOGY AND ANY OTHER MATERIALS, RECOMMENDATIONS OR CONTENT MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE C.SCALE TECHNOLOGY (INCLUDING THE SERVICES) WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR FREE OF ERRORS, VIRUSES, OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS, AND DO NOT WARRANT THAT ANY OF THOSE ISSUES WILL BE CORRECTED. NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED BY CUSTOMER OR ITS AUTHORIZED USERS FROM THE C.SCALE TECHNOLOGY (INCLUDING THE SERVICES) WILL CREATE ANY WARRANTY THAT IS NOT EXPRESSLY STATED IN THIS AGREEMENT. AS BETWEEN THE PARTIES, CUSTOMER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWING AND DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT, OR HOW TO, USE ANY REPORTS, CONTENT, MATERIALS OR DATA THAT IS MADE AVAILABLE VIA THE SERVICES. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, AS BETWEEN THE PARTIES, CUSTOMER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR, AND C.SCALE WILL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR, ANY DECISIONS MADE BY CUSTOMER BASED UPON ANY REPORTS, CONTENT, MATERIALS OR DATA THAT IS PROVIDED BY THE SERVICES, INCLUDING ANY DECISIONS MADE WITH RESPECT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE MATTERS, REGARDLESS OF ANY RESULTS OR REPORTS GENERATED BY THE SERVICES. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE C.SCALE ENTITIES ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE THAT MAY RESULT FROM CUSTOMER'S OR ITS AUTHORIZED USERS' USE OF OR ACCESS TO THE C.SCALE TECHNOLOGY OR ANY OTHER REPORTS, MATERIALS, DATA OR CONTENT THAT IS MADE AVAILABLE BY C.SCALE OR THROUGH THE SERVICES. CUSTOMER UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT CUSTOMER'S AND ITS AUTHORIZED USERS' USE OF THE C.SCALE TECHNOLOGY (INCLUDING THE SERVICES) AND ANY REPORTS, CONTENT, DATA OR MATERIALS THAT ARE ACCESSED, DOWNLOADED, OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED FROM C.SCALE OR THROUGH THE C.SCALE TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY THIRD PARTY SERVICES, IS AT CUSTOMER'S OWN DISCRETION AND RISK, AND THAT, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE C.SCALE ENTITIES ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY FRAUD LOSSES OR FOR ANY DAMAGE TO CUSTOMER'S PROPERTY, INCLUDING ANY THIRD PARTY SERVICES USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE C.SCALE TECHNOLOGY OR ANY LOSS OF DATA OR CUSTOMER CONTENT. THE C.SCALE TECHNOLOGY IS NOT FAULT-TOLERANT AND IS NOT DESIGNED, MANUFACTURED OR INTENDED FOR USE AS ON-LINE CONTROL EQUIPMENT IN HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS REQUIRING FAIL-SAFE PERFORMANCE, SUCH AS IN THE OPERATION OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES, AIRCRAFT NAVIGATION OR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, DIRECT LIFE SUPPORT MACHINES, OR WEAPONS SYSTEMS, IN WHICH THE FAILURE OF THE C.SCALE TECHNOLOGY COULD LEAD DIRECTLY TO DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR SEVERE PHYSICAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE. THE C.SCALE ENTITIES SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR SUCH ACTIVITIES. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE C.SCALE ENTITIES DO NOT DISCLAIM ANY WARRANTY OR OTHER RIGHT THAT THE C.SCALE ENTITIES ARE PROHIBITED FROM DISCLAIMING UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. #### 6.3 Limitation of Liability TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL THE C.SCALE ENTITIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, TREBLE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF BUSINESS, REVENUE, PROFITS, GOODWILL, DATA OR OTHER ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, HOWEVER CAUSED AND WHETHER BASED ON BREACH OF CONTRACT, BREACH OF WARRANTY, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), PRODUCT LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL THE C.SCALE ENTITIES' TOTAL LIABILITY (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS' FEES) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT EXCEED THE AMOUNT PAID BY CUSTOMER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT DURING THE 12-MONTH PERIOD PRIOR TO THE DATE THE CLAIM AROSE. EXCEPT FOR ANY ACTION BY C.SCALE FOR NON-PAYMENT, NEITHER PARTY MAY BRING ANY ACTION, REGARDLESS OF FORM, ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT MORE THAN TWELVE (12) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE THE CLAIM AROSE. EACH PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT THAT PROVIDES FOR A LIMITATION OF LIABILITY, DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES, OR EXCLUSION OF DAMAGES IS INTENDED TO AND DOES ALLOCATE THE RISKS BETWEEN THE PARTIES UNDER THESE TERMS. THIS ALLOCATION IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF THE BASIS OF THE BARGAIN BETWEEN THE PARTIES. EACH OF THESE PROVISIONS IS SEVERABLE AND INDEPENDENT OF ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF THESE TERMS. THESE LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY LIMITED OR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. *** ### 7. General Provisions #### 7.1 Assignment Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, neither party may assign this Agreement, or any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the other party, except that C.Scale may assign this Agreement without the written consent of Customer as part of the conversion to a corporation or other corporate reorganization, upon a change of control, consolidation, merger, reincorporation, sale of all or substantially all of its assets related to this Agreement or a similar transaction or series of transactions. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns. #### 7.2 Force Majeure Neither party will be liable for any failure or delay in its performance under this Agreement due to any cause beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation an act of war, terrorism, act of God, earthquake, flood, embargo, riot, sabotage, labor shortage or dispute, governmental act or failure of the Internet. The delayed party shall give the other party notice of such cause and shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to correct such failure or delay in performance. #### 7.3 Governing Law; Jurisdiction and Venue This Agreement and any action related thereto will be governed and interpreted by and under the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to any conflicts of laws principles that require the application of the law of a different jurisdiction. Customer hereby expressly consents to the personal jurisdiction and venue in the state and federal courts for San Francisco, California for any lawsuit filed there against Customer by C.Scale arising from or related to this Agreement. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods does not apply to this Agreement. #### 7.4 Modifications to this Agreement C.Scale may modify this Agreement from time to time by giving notice to Customer through C.Scale's online user interfaces, by sending Customer an email to an e-mail address associated with Customer's Account, by prominently posting notice of the changes on the Services, or in any other manner permitted by this Agreement. In the event that the last e-mail address that Customer has provided is not valid, or for any reason is not capable of delivering to Customer the notice described above, C.Scale's dispatch of the e-mail containing such notice will nonetheless constitute effective notice of the changes to this Agreement described in the notice. Unless a shorter period is specified by C.Scale (e.g., due to changes in the law or exigent circumstances), the modifications become effective upon renewal of Customer's current Subscription Term or entry into a new Order. If C.Scale specifies that the modifications to this Agreement will take effect prior to Customer's next renewal or Order and Customer notifies C.Scale in writing at [hi@cscale.io](mailto:hi@cscale.io) of Customer's objection to the modifications within thirty (30) days after the date of such notice, C.Scale (at its option and as Customer's exclusive remedy) will either: (i) permit Customer to continue under the existing version of the Agreement until expiration of the then-current Subscription Term (after which time the modified Agreement will go into effect), or (ii) allow Customer to terminate this Agreement and receive a pro-rata refund of any pre-paid Services subscription fees allocable to the terminated portion of the applicable Subscription Term. Customer may be required to click to accept or otherwise agree to the modified Agreement in order to continue using the Services, and, in any event, continued use of the Services after the modified version of this Agreement becomes effective will constitute Customer's acceptance of such modified version. #### 7.5 Export Controls; Government Rights Customer agrees that Customer will not, and will ensure that its Authorized Users will not, directly or indirectly, export or re-export, or knowingly permit the export or re-export of, the C.Scale Technology or any technical information about the C.Scale Technology to any country for which such export or re-export is restricted by any applicable U.S. regulation or statute, without the prior written consent, if required, of the Bureau of Export Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce, or such other government entity as may have jurisdiction over such export or re-export. Customer hereby represents and warrants that: (i) Customer is not located in a country that is subject to a U.S. Government embargo, or that has been designated by the U.S. Government as a "terrorist supporting" country, and (ii) Customer is not listed on any U.S. Government list of prohibited or restricted parties. The C.Scale Technology is deemed to be "commercial computer software" and "commercial computer software documentation," respectively, pursuant to DFAR Section 227.7202 and FAR Section 12.212, as applicable. Any use, modification, reproduction, release, performance, display or disclosure of the software and accompanying documentation by the U.S. Government shall be governed solely by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and shall be prohibited except to the extent expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement. #### 7.6 Miscellaneous This Agreement (together with the Orders) is the sole agreement of the parties concerning the subject matter hereof, and it supersedes all prior agreements and understandings with respect to said subject matter. In the event of any conflict between the terms of an Order and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement will apply unless the Order expressly indicates that a provision of the Order should supersede contrary language in the Agreement. No terms of any purchase order, acknowledgement or other form provided by Customer will modify this Agreement, regardless of any failure of C.Scale to object to such terms. Any ambiguity in this Agreement shall be interpreted equitably without regard to which party drafted hereof. Except as set forth in Section 7.4, this Agreement may only be amended by a writing signed by both parties. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts. The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience and are not intended to affect the interpretation of this Agreement. Any required notice shall be given in writing by customary means with receipt confirmed. Notices to Customer shall be sent to the address set forth on the Order. Notices to C.Scale shall be given to [hi@cscale.io](mailto:hi@cscale.io). Notices will be deemed to have been given at the time of actual delivery in person, one (1) day after delivery to an overnight courier service, or three (3) days after deposit in the mail. The relationship between the parties shall be that of independent contractors. C.Scale may use subcontractors. Waiver of any term of this Agreement or forbearance to enforce any term by either party shall not constitute a waiver as to any subsequent breach or failure of the same term or a waiver of any other term of this Agreement. Any provision found to be unlawful, unenforceable or void shall be severed from the remainder of this Agreement, and the Agreement will continue in full force and effect without said provision. *** ### Exhibit A: Intellectual Property Policy It is C.Scale's policy to terminate Account privileges of any user who repeatedly infringes copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights upon prompt notification to C.Scale by the respective intellectual property owner or their legal agent. Without limiting the foregoing, if you believe that the content of any material uploaded or posted onto the Services infringes your intellectual property rights, please provide C.Scale's designated intellectual property agent with the following information: 1. an electronic or physical signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property right, 2. a description of the copyrighted work, trademark, or other intellectual property right that you claim has been infringed, 3. a description of the location on the Services of the material that you claim is infringing, 4. your address, telephone number, and email address, 5. a written statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property right owner, its agent or the law, and 6. a statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the above information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property right owner or authorized to act on the copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property right owner's behalf. Please note that, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 512(f), any misrepresentation of material fact (falsities) in a written notification automatically subjects the complaining party to liability for any damages, costs and attorney's fees incurred by us in connection with the written notification and allegation of copyright infringement. **Designated Copyright Agent for C.Scale** Jack Rusk \ Climate Scale Inc.\ 636 Lyon St.\ San Francisco, CA 94117\ jack@cscale.io --- ## Privacy Policy Source: https://docs.cscale.io/resources/privacy-policy.md Last updated: July 19, 2026 ## Privacy Policy This Privacy Policy describes how Climate Scale Inc. ("C.Scale", "we", "us" or "our") processes personal information that we collect through our digital or online properties or services that link to this Privacy Policy (including as applicable, our website and social media pages) as well as our marketing activities, live events, and other activities described in this Privacy Policy (collectively, the "Service"). C.Scale may provide additional or supplemental privacy policies to individuals for specific products or services that we offer at the time we collect personal information. C.Scale is a platform for climate-positive design and material specification. It is used by organizations in the architecture, engineering, construction and operations ("AECO") to perform impact assessments and create specifications, and is used by building product manufacturers ("BPM Partners") to market their product's performance and understand the market demand and specification patterns for more sustainable materials. Design activity by AECO users may function as a lead generation signal for BPM Partners. This Privacy Policy does not apply to information that we process on behalf of our business customers while providing services to them. Our use of information that we process on behalf of our business customers may be governed by our agreements with such customers. If you have concerns regarding your personal information that we process on behalf of a business customer, please direct your concerns to that customer. ### Index * [Personal information we collect](#personal-information-we-collect) * [Tracking technologies](#tracking-technologies) * [How we use your personal information](#how-we-use-your-personal-information) * [How we share your personal information](#how-we-share-your-personal-information) * [Your choices](#your-choices) * [Other sites and services](#other-sites-and-services) * [Security](#security) * [International data transfers](#international-data-transfer) * [Children](#children) * [Changes to this Privacy Policy](#changes-to-this-privacy-policy) * [How to contact us](#how-to-contact-us) ### Personal information we collect **Information you provide to us.** Personal information you may provide to us through the Service or otherwise includes: * **Contact data**, such as your first and last name, salutation, email address, billing and mailing addresses, professional title and company name, and phone number. * **Demographic data**, such as your city, state, country of residence, and postal code. * **Profile data**, such as the username and password that you may set to establish an online account on the Service and any other information that you add to your account profile. * **Communications data** based on our exchanges with you, including when you contact us through the Service, social media, or otherwise. * **Transactional data**, such as information relating to or needed to complete your orders on or through the Service, including order numbers and transaction history. * **Marketing data**, such as your preferences for receiving our marketing communications and details about your engagement with them. * **Payment data** needed to complete transactions, including payment card information or bank account number. * **Other data** not specifically listed here, including data inferred or derived from the categories listed in this section, which we will use as described in this Privacy Policy or as otherwise disclosed at the time of collection. **Third-party sources.** We may combine personal information we receive from you with personal information falling within one of the categories identified above that we obtain from other sources, such as: * **Public sources**, such as government agencies, public records, social media platforms, and other publicly available sources. * **Partners**, such as marketing partners and event co-sponsors. * **Service providers** that provide services on our behalf or help us operate the Service or our business. **Automatic data collection.** We, our service providers, and our business partners may automatically log information about you, your computer or mobile device, and your interaction over time with the Service, our communications and other online services, such as: * **Device data**, such as your internet protocol (IP) address, browser type and version, time zone setting and location, browser plug-in types and versions, operating system and platform and other technology on the devices you use to access the Service. * **Online activity data**, such as pages or screens you viewed, how long you spent on a page or screen, the website you visited before browsing to the Service, navigation paths between pages or screens, information about your activity on a page or screen, access times and duration of access, and whether you have opened our emails or clicked links within them. * **Location data** when you authorize the Service to access your device's location. * **Communication interaction data** such as your interactions with our email or other communications (e.g., whether you open and/or forward emails) – we may do this through use of pixel tags (which are also known as clear GIFs), which may be embedded invisibly in our emails. For more information concerning our automatic collection of data, please see the [Tracking technologies](#tracking-technologies) section below. **Data about others.** We may offer features that help users invite their contacts to use the Service, and we may collect contact details about these invitees so we can deliver their invitations. Please do not refer someone to us or share their contact details with us unless you have their permission to do so. ### Tracking technologies **Cookies and similar technologies.** Some of the automatic collection described above is facilitated by the following technologies: * **Cookies**, which are small text files that websites store on user devices and that allow web servers to record users' web browsing activities and remember their submissions, preferences, and login status as they navigate a site. Cookies used on our sites include both "session cookies" that are deleted when a session ends, "persistent cookies" that remain longer, "first party" cookies that we place and "third party" cookies that our third-party business partners and service providers place. * **Local storage technologies**, like HTML5, that provide cookie-equivalent functionality but can store larger amounts of data on your device outside of your browser in connection with specific applications. * **Web beacons**, also known as pixel tags or clear GIFs, which are used to demonstrate that a webpage or email was accessed or opened, or that certain content was viewed or clicked. For information concerning your choices with respect to the use of tracking technologies, see the [Your choices](#your-choices) section, below. ### How we use your personal information We may use your personal information for the following purposes or as otherwise described at the time of collection: **Service delivery and operations.** We may use your personal information to: * provide and operate the Service; * enable security features of the Service; * establish and maintain your user profile on the Service; * facilitate your invitations to contacts who you want to invite to join the Service; * communicate with you about the Service, including by sending Service-related announcements, updates, security alerts, and support and administrative messages; * communicate with you about events, contests or surveys in which you participate; * provide support for the Service, and respond to your requests, questions and feedback. **Service personalization**, which may include using your personal information to: * understand your needs and interests; * personalize your experience with the Service and our Service-related communications; and * remember your selections and preferences as you navigate webpages. **Research and development.** We may use your personal information for research and development purposes, including to analyze and improve the Service and our business. As part of these activities, we may create aggregated, de-identified or other anonymous data from personal information we collect. We make personal information into anonymous or de-identified data by removing information that makes the data personally identifiable to you. We may use this anonymous or de-identified data and share it with third parties for our lawful business purposes, including to analyze and improve the Service and promote our business. **Service improvement and analytics.** We may use your personal information to analyze your usage of the Service, improve the Service, improve the rest of our business, help us understand user activity on the Service, including which pages are most and least visited and how visitors move around the Service, as well as user interactions with our emails, and to develop new products and services. For example, we use Google Analytics for this purpose. **Marketing.** We and our service providers may collect and use your personal information for direct marketing communications and may personalize these messages based on your needs and interests. You may opt out of our marketing communications as described in the [Opt-out of communications](#your-choices) section below. **Platform data sharing.** We may use your personal information to facilitate connections between AECO users and BPM Partners on the platform. This includes facilitating communication between you and BPM Partners when you express interest in their products, and enabling BPM Partners to understand market context relevant to your inquiries. **Compliance and protection.** We may use your personal information to: * comply with applicable laws, lawful requests, and legal process, such as to respond to subpoenas, investigations or requests from government authorities; * protect our, your or others' rights, privacy, safety or property (including by making and defending legal claims); * audit our internal processes for compliance with legal and contractual requirements or our internal policies; * enforce the terms and conditions that govern the Service; and * prevent, identify, investigate and deter fraudulent, harmful, unauthorized, unethical or illegal activity, including cyberattacks and identity theft. **Data sharing in the context of corporate events.** We may share certain personal information in the context of actual or prospective corporate events – for more information, see [How we share your personal information](#how-we-share-your-personal-information), below. **To create aggregated, de-identified and/or anonymized data.** We may create aggregated, de-identified and/or anonymized data from your personal information and other individuals whose personal information we collect. We make personal information into de-identified and/or anonymized data by removing information that makes the data identifiable to you. We may use this aggregated, de-identified and/or anonymized data and share it with third parties for our lawful business purposes, including to analyze and improve the Service and promote our business. **Further uses.** In some cases, we may use your personal information for further uses, in which case we will ask for your consent to use of your personal information for those further purposes if they are not compatible with the initial purpose for which information was collected. ### How we share your personal information We may share your personal information with the following parties and as otherwise described in this Privacy Policy, in other applicable notices, or at the time of collection. * **Affiliates.** Our corporate parent, subsidiaries, and affiliates. * **Service providers.** Third parties that provide services on our behalf or help us operate the Service or our business (such as hosting, information technology, customer support, online chat functionality providers, email delivery, marketing, consumer research and website analytics). * **Payment processors.** Any payment card information you use to make a purchase on the Service is collected and processed directly by our payment processors, such as Stripe. Stripe may use your payment data in accordance with its privacy policy, [https://stripe.com/privacy](https://stripe.com/privacy). * **Third parties designated by you.** We may share your personal information with third parties where you have instructed us or provided your consent to do so. * **Partners.** Third parties with whom we partner, including parties with whom we co-sponsor events or promotions, with whom we jointly offer products or services, or whose products or services may be of interest to you. * **Building Product Manufacturers (BPM Partners).** We may share your name and email address with a BPM Partner only when you take explicit action, such as initiating a direct chat or requesting product information. * **Professional advisors.** Professional advisors, such as lawyers, auditors, bankers and insurers, where necessary in the course of the professional services that they render to us. * **Authorities and others.** Law enforcement, government authorities, and private parties, as we believe in good faith to be necessary or appropriate for the Compliance and protection purposes described above. * **Business transferees.** We may disclose personal information in the context of actual or prospective business transactions (e.g., investments in C.Scale, financing of C.Scale, public stock offerings, or the sale, transfer or merger of all or part of our business, assets or shares), for example, we may need to share certain personal information with prospective counterparties and their advisers. We may also disclose your personal information to an acquirer, successor, or assignee of C.Scale as part of any merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or similar transaction, and/or in the event of an insolvency, bankruptcy, or receivership in which personal information is transferred to one or more third parties as one of our business assets. ### Your choices In this section, we describe the choices available to you. **Access or update your information.** If you have registered for an account with us through the Service, you may review and update certain account information by logging into the account and navigating to the "Manage account" page. **Opt-out of communications.** You may opt out of marketing-related emails by following the opt-out or unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of the email, or by contacting us. Please note that if you choose to opt out of marketing-related emails, you may continue to receive service-related and other non-marketing emails. **Opt-out of BPM communications.** If you receive communications from a BPM Partner as a result of your interactions on the platform, you may opt out of further BPM Partner communications by following the opt-out instructions provided in the communication or by contacting us. **Blocking images/clear GIFs.** Most browsers and devices allow you to configure your device to prevent images from loading. To do this, follow the instructions in your particular browser or device settings. **Do Not Track.** Some Internet browsers may be configured to send "Do Not Track" signals to the online services that you visit. We currently do not respond to "Do Not Track" signals. To find out more about "Do Not Track," please visit [http://www.allaboutdnt.com](http://www.allaboutdnt.com/). **Declining to provide information.** We need to collect personal information to provide certain services. If you do not provide the information we identify as required or mandatory, we may not be able to provide those services. ### Other sites and services The Service may contain links to websites, mobile applications, and other online services operated by third parties. In addition, our content may be integrated into web pages or other online services that are not associated with us. These links and integrations are not an endorsement of, or representation that we are affiliated with, any third party. We do not control websites, mobile applications or online services operated by third parties, and we are not responsible for their actions. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of the other websites, mobile applications and online services you use. ### Security We employ a number of technical, organizational and physical safeguards designed to protect the personal information we collect. However, security risk is inherent in all internet and information technologies and we cannot guarantee the security of your personal information. Your user account credentials are stored in our third-party authentication provider, currently Clerk ([https://clerk.com/legal/privacy](https://clerk.com/legal/privacy)). These credentials are not replicated across other C.Scale databases. Clerk's collection and use of your information is governed by Clerk's privacy policy. ### International data transfer We are headquartered in the United States and may use service providers that operate in other countries. Your personal information may be transferred to the United States or other locations where privacy laws may not be as protective as those in your state, province, or country. ### Children The Service is not intended for use by anyone under 18 years of age. If you are a parent or guardian of a child from whom you believe we have collected personal information in a manner prohibited by law, please contact us. If we learn that we have collected personal information through the Service from a child without the consent of the child's parent or guardian as required by law, we will comply with applicable legal requirements to delete the information. ### Changes to this Privacy Policy We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time. If we make material changes to this Privacy Policy, we will notify you by updating the date of this Privacy Policy and posting it on the Service or other appropriate means. Any modifications to this Privacy Policy will be effective upon our posting the modified version (or as otherwise indicated at the time of posting). In all cases, your use of the Service after the effective date of any modified Privacy Policy indicates your acknowledging that the modified Privacy Policy applies to your interactions with the Service and our business. ### How to contact us * **Email:** privacypolicy@cscale.io * **Mail:** Climate Scale Inc., 636 Lyon St., San Francisco, CA 94117