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SEI working paper

Consumption Compass 2.0: a summary of methods and data used

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SEI working paper

Consumption Compass 2.0: a summary of methods and data used

The Consumption Compass tool helps municipalities in Sweden estimate and manage household consumption-based emissions. The tool is developed by SEI and aims to promote sustainable consumption practices at the local level, based on robust methods and data that are summarized in this paper.

Katarina Axelsson, Peter Robert Walke, Derik Broekhoff, Ansel Cheng-Wei Yu, Karin André / Published on 16 May 2025

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Citation

Axelsson, K., Walke P., Broekhoff, D., Yu, A.C. & André K. (2025). Consumption Compass 2.0: a summary of methods and data used. SEI Working Paper, Stockholm Environment Institute, Stockholm. https://doi.org/10.51414/sei2025.025

The method summary provides an overview of the methodological approaches behind the Consumption Compass, making complex data and methodologies accessible to non-experts. It outlines how different datasets are utilized, the calculations performed, and the principles guiding the estimation of consumption-based emissions.

The summary is intended to inform municipal planners, policymakers and stakeholders and assist them in understanding and using the tool effectively in their strategic planning. The Consumption Compass utilizes a variety of datasets to provide a comprehensive analysis of emissions. It focuses on estimating emissions at a high spatial resolution through a hybrid approach, breaking down consumption into Demographic Statistical Areas (DeSO), thus enabling detailed insights into emissions linked to specific regions. The tool assesses both direct emissions, which occur during the use of products, and indirect emissions that arise throughout the supply chain. It also addresses challenges such as data gaps and limitations in capturing the full impact of certain consumption behaviours.

By empowering municipalities with this information, the Consumption Compass helps local authorities plan strategies to mitigate climate impacts, supporting Sweden’s broader climate goals while fostering community discussions around sustainability and resource equity.

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SEI authors

Katarina Axelsson
Katarina Axelsson

Senior Policy Fellow

SEI Headquarters

Peter Robert Walke

Expert (Climate Systems and Energy Policy Unit)

SEI Tallinn

Derik Broekhoff

Senior Scientist

SEI US

Ansel Cheng-Wei Yu

Junior Expert (Climate Systems and Energy Policy Unit)

SEI Tallinn

Karin André
Karin André

Team Leader: Cities, Communities and Consumption; Senior Research Fellow

SEI Headquarters