Carbon calculator
The MacKay Carbon Calculator provides a model of the UK energy system that allows you to explore pathways to decarbonisation, including net zero by 2050.
Using the MacKay Carbon Calculator, you can create pathways to find out how we might reduce the UK鈥檚 greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 and beyond. You choose your 鈥榣evels of ambition鈥� for decarbonising different parts of the energy system, and the calculator then shows how your choices affect UK emissions expressed as 鈥榗arbon dioxide equivalent鈥� (CO2e).
Its purpose is to help everyone engage in the debate. It also allows government to explore how its plans support the path to net zero.
The calculator is named in honour of the late Sir David MacKay who was the driving force behind the first UK 2050 calculator:
The MacKay Carbon Calculator
There are 2 online versions of the calculator, a universal version called My2050 and the more detailed MacKay Carbon Calculator version.
- open
- open the
Both versions contain levers of decarbonisation:
- 15 in My2050
- 45 in the MacKay Carbon Calculator
Select your level of ambition of decarbonisation effort using the levers, ranging from Level 1 - minimal effort, to Level 4 - maximum effort. Popup descriptions explain what the levels represent in terms of behavioural change or infrastructure investment.
The calculator results are based on scientific data. This Excel spreadsheet provides more information about the model used by the online versions of the calculator:
The levels of ambition
The levels of ambition are based on views expressed by over 100 expert stakeholders, including academics, non-government organisations, industry bodies, operators and consultants. They don鈥檛 reflect government policy but can be used to represent policy.
Teacher resources
Teacher resources for and the , developed with the Royal Geographical Society, are available on the RGS website.
Resources for My2050 (Key Stage 3), created by EngineeringUK, are available from .
The project
The MacKay Carbon Calculator project is a collaborative project between the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and 4 main partners, , , and .
Contact us
If you have any comments or questions, please contact [email protected].
Updates to this page
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Added link to new teacher resources for My2050 (Key Stage 3).
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Added MacKay Carbon Calculator user guide.
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First published.