Resources Library – Prior FEM Resources Archive

faq

FAQ | FEM Carbon Emission Calculation Adjustments

  • Why did my 2017-2019 FEM data change?
    • We conduct technical audits to ensure data and calculations are consistent across our platform. During our most recent audit, we uncovered a few inconsistencies across FEM assessments for 2017-2019. For example, we fixed several greenhouse gas data calculations, such as rounding errors and bug fixes. As always, our policy is to alert users as soon as we make these improvements.
    • Higg is committed to providing up to date, quality data. By resolving this technical issue, we’re ensuring our users have accurate and consistent information across reporting years, including for historical reporting.
  • What kind of data alignments occurred?
    • Liquid Natural Gas: In 2017, users had five options to select from when reporting natural gas, including liquid natural gas. In 2020, we removed liquid natural gas, and then added it back in 2021.
    • Simplified Energy Sources: Over the years, questions on energy sources have been simplified. We’ve made sure these data sources are aligned and consistent over the years:
      • Biomass: 20+ sources now reduced to 3
      • Coal: 7 sources now reduced to 1
      • Fuel oils: 6 sources now reduced to 1
  • What bugs were fixed?
    • Biomass: Corrected heating values and emissions factors for biomass sources that had been consolidated in 2020 and 2021
    • Conversion factor: Corrected an error that occurred when converting joules to MJ
  • What new methodologies were adopted?
    • We’ve ensured our CO2e emission factors are consistent across all years and GHG sources based on EPA emission factors

     

  • I rely on my historical greenhouse gas data for reporting. What differences should I expect to see?
    • Note that 2020/2021 data is not changing. For the majority of brands, retailers, and manufacturers, your data will not change significantly.
    • At the time of calculating your greenhouse gas emissions, your company made the most informed decisions possible.
  • Where should I expect to see these changes across the Higg platform?
    • The changes to your historical greenhouse gas data will be reflected in your 2017-2019 Higg FEM data, which is located in the following places –
      • FEM Modules
      • FEM Dashboard
        • GHG totals occurring from
        • In your Performance Data CSV file
        • Bulk CSV download
        • In each FEM Assessment downloadable CSV
      • Higg Analytics charts (if you are an Expanded or Advanced user)
        • Sources of GHG Emissions
        • Sources of Energy

If you’d like to address this data reporting change in your future corporate reports, we’d suggest the following language. 

To help calculate our environmental impact, we use the Higg Facility Environmental Module, or Higg FEM. Recently, Higg made a few adjustments to make historic carbon emissions calculations more accurate. As a result, our previous data has shifted. 

  • Should I expect this to happen again?
    • As a technology company, we are committed to continually auditing and improving our data. We are also dedicated to transparently communicating issues and resolutions with our customers. You can expect us to let you know when problems arise, and how we’ve resolved them.

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FEM 2024 How to Higg Guide

Please note that this guidance applies only to Higg FEM 2024, and no assessments from previous years. The Higg FEM 2024 is available to purchase November 7th, 2024. Please direct your questions to our support team.

This document has been translated from the original English version. In cases where there are any discrepancies or differences in interpretation between this translation and the English version, the English version shall take precedence, and its content and meanings will be considered definitive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Higg FEM Reference Guide (PDF) – This is a reference guide for navigating Higg FEM data. It provides a technical, slightly narrative description of the Higg FEM data as well as reference documentation for all FEM questions (including tooltips, conditionalities, answer options, and points).

 

Appendix A. FEM Foundations

Download Appendix A to understand FEM Foundations and the questionset associated.

 

Download the FEM4.0 Technical Paper

 

Guidance FEM 2023 Data Exports

Download PDF guide on the different csv. files that you can download for individual FEMs or for accessing bulk data.

 

REFID Comparison

Review REFID changes from 2022 to 2023.

Data Dictionaries

Normal Data Dictionary – Look up characteristics such as description, inclusion in verification, question-type and applicability, of all FEM2023 questions (identifiable by their REFID). Use this file to guide you in using the Quantitative Impacts CSV and the Raw Response CSVs.

 

 

FEM Performance CSV Data Dictionary

Look up characteristics such as description and question-type of all calculated fields in the FEM Performance CSV file, identifiable by readable column names. Use this file to guide you in using the Performance CSV.

 

FEM Calculations and Methodology

 

 

 

FEM 2023 How to Higg Guide

FEM Content Guidance contains detailed guidance for each question of the Higg FEM 2023. For each question, you will be able to understand the intent of the question, related technical guidance and how this question will be verified.

 

Download FEM 2023 – How to Higg Guide – English

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEM 2022 How to Higg Guide – FEM Content Guidance contains detailed guidance for each question of the Higg FEM2022. For each question, you will be able to understand the intent of the question, related technical guidance and how this question will be verified.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEM 2021 How to Higg Guide – FEM Content Guidance contains detailed guidance for each question of the Higg FEM2021. For each question, you will be able to understand the intent of the question, related technical guidance and how this question will be verified.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEM 2020 How to Higg Guide – FEM Content Guidance contains detailed guidance for each question of the Higg FEM2020. For each question, you will be able to understand the intent of the question, related technical guidance and how this question will be verified.

FEM Performance Data CSV – The FEM Performance Data (CSV) features the key facility environmental performance data that Higg customers often want to feature in their internal reports and sustainability analyses.

 

FEM Units Conversions and Emissions Factors – For a complete list of unit conversions and emissions factors used in the Higg FEM please see the attached document below.

 

FEM Glossary – Learn key terms and phrases used in the FEM. Click here.

FEM Templates –

 

FEM Scoring Table and Applicability – This document dives deeper in FEM scoring, including the scoring table and additional information on applicability.