Data Quality

You can use the returned quality field to understand the accuracy of the API's response.

The quality field returned in responses throughout the API is a measure from 1 (best) to 5 (worst) of the data’s quality. This value is calculated using an approach based on the PEF Quality Rating, which is an emerging industry standard. You can use this field to understand the accuracy of the API’s response. The following table relates the value of quality to its meaning:

Data quality metric (quality)Meaning
1The data is of high quality. It is geographically, temporally, and technically representative.
2-4The data is of variable quality. It may be for a different geographical area, for a different time, or using unrepresentative technologies.
5The data is of low quality. It is not geographically, temporally, or technically representative.

We calculate the value using a combination of a few factors:

  • Geographical relevance - Is the disclosed carbon footprint valid in the requested region?
  • Temporal relevance - Is the disclosed carbon footprint valid in the requested time?
  • Technical relevance - Is the technology used to calculate the carbon footprint relevant to the request?

We’re working on adding more factors to ensure accurate quality reporting.

Examples

To better illustrate the quality metric, here are a few examples.

Your request is…DitchCarbon’s has data on….Quality (approximate)
Apple’s Emissions in the UKApple’s emissions in the UK1
Apple’s Emission in the USApple’s emissions in the UK2
Apple’s emissions in 2015Apple’s emissions in 20193
Bob’s fish and chips (small company with no published carbon footprint)Restaurants in the UK in 20184
Bob’s fish and chips in Australia in the year 2000Restaurants in the UK in 20185