What is the Fuel LCA Model under Canada's CFR?

The Fuel LCA Model is the OpenLCA-based tool used to calculate carbon intensity (CI) values under Canada's Clean Fuel Regulations. It quantifies greenhouse gas emissions across the full lifecycle of a fuel, expressed in gCO2e/MJ, from feedstock acquisition through final combustion.

What is the difference between cradle-to-gate and cradle-to-grave CI?

Cradle-to-gate CI covers lifecycle stages from feedstock production up to the production facility gate. Cradle-to-grave CI represents the full lifecycle, adding emissions from distribution and fuel combustion to the cradle-to-gate value.

What is the CI calculation formula in the Fuel LCA Model?

The formula is CI = CIf + CIp + CIcl + CIe + CItd + CIc, where CIf is feedstock extraction/production, CIp is production processes, CIcl is compression/liquefaction, CIe is electricity used during production, CItd is transportation/distribution (if ≥1,500km), and CIc is combustion/end-use emissions.

What are the three steps to model a fuel pathway in the Fuel LCA Model?

Step 1: Enter applicant data in the CFR Data Workbook using 24 months of primary operating data. Step 2: Fill the Allocation Matrix to partition emissions between fuel and co-products based on energy content (Higher Heating Value). Step 3: Model the pathway in OpenLCA by linking flows to emission factors from the ECCC Data Library.

What is the CI value timeline under the CFR — default, temporary, and permanent CI?

ECCC uses a phased CI approach. Phase 1: Default CI — a pre-calculated value provided by ECCC, used for the first 12 months of operation. Phase 2: Temporary CI — the applicant submits a CI value using a minimum of 3 months of operating data, valid for up to 24 months. Phase 3: Permanent CI — calculated using a full 24 months of primary operating data, this becomes the definitive CI score used for ongoing credit generation.

What is the Fuel LCA Model under Canada's CFR?

The Fuel LCA Model is the OpenLCA-based tool used to calculate carbon intensity (CI) values under Canada's Clean Fuel Regulations. It quantifies greenhouse gas emissions across the full lifecycle of a fuel, expressed in gCO2e/MJ, from feedstock acquisition through final combustion.

What is the difference between cradle-to-gate and cradle-to-grave CI?

Cradle-to-gate CI covers lifecycle stages from feedstock production up to the production facility gate. Cradle-to-grave CI represents the full lifecycle, adding emissions from distribution and fuel combustion to the cradle-to-gate value.

What is the CI calculation formula in the Fuel LCA Model?

The formula is CI = CIf + CIp + CIcl + CIe + CItd + CIc, where CIf is feedstock extraction/production, CIp is production processes, CIcl is compression/liquefaction, CIe is electricity used during production, CItd is transportation/distribution (if ≥1,500km), and CIc is combustion/end-use emissions.

What are the three steps to model a fuel pathway in the Fuel LCA Model?

Step 1: Enter applicant data in the CFR Data Workbook using 24 months of primary operating data. Step 2: Fill the Allocation Matrix to partition emissions between fuel and co-products based on energy content (Higher Heating Value). Step 3: Model the pathway in OpenLCA by linking flows to emission factors from the ECCC Data Library.

What is the CI value timeline under the CFR — default, temporary, and permanent CI?

ECCC uses a phased CI approach. Phase 1: Default CI — a pre-calculated value provided by ECCC, used for the first 12 months of operation. Phase 2: Temporary CI — the applicant submits a CI value using a minimum of 3 months of operating data, valid for up to 24 months. Phase 3: Permanent CI — calculated using a full 24 months of primary operating data, this becomes the definitive CI score used for ongoing credit generation.

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CFR Series • Technical

The Fuel LCA Model: How Carbon Intensity Is Calculated Under Canada's CFR

The methodology behind CI scoring — the single most impactful lever in CFR credit economics.

By Koorosh Behrang • March 2026 • 3 min read

gCO₂e/MJ

CI measurement unit

lifecycle emission components

step modelling process

In This Article

How the Model Works • CI Scopes • The CI Formula • 3-Step Modelling Process • CI Timeline • Data Sources

The Fuel LCA Model: How Carbon Intensity Is Calculated Under Canada's CFR — Climate Decode

Technical guide to the OpenLCA-based Fuel LCA Model used under Canada's Clean Fuel Regulations. CI calculated in gCO2e/MJ across full lifecycle. Two scopes: cradle-to-gate and cradle-to-grave. Formula: CI = CIf + CIp + CIcl + CIe + CItd + CIc. Three-step process: CFR Data Workbook (24-month data), Allocation Matrix (co-product energy content), OpenLCA modelling (ECCC Data Library emission factors). Data sources: applicant data, predefined ECCC factors, transferred CI values. By Koorosh Behrang, Climate Decode.

1	How the Fuel LCA Model Works

The Fuel LCA Model calculates carbon intensity (CI) by quantifying the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions released over the full lifecycle of a fuel, material input, or energy source, expressed in grams of CO₂e per megajoule (gCO₂e/MJ). This process involves assessing emissions across several interlinked stages, from feedstock acquisition to the final combustion of the fuel.

CI	Carbon Intensity (gCO₂e/MJ) The full lifecycle GHG emissions per unit of energy. This is the single most impactful metric in CFR credit economics — every gram of CI reduction translates directly into credit value.

2	Life Cycle Scopes

The model allows for the calculation of two distinct types of CI values, depending on the boundary of analysis.

Cradle-to-Gate

Covers all lifecycle stages from feedstock production up to the production facility gate.

Includes:

Feedstock extraction → Processing → Production

Cradle-to-Grave

Represents the full lifecycle, adding distribution and combustion to the cradle-to-gate value.

Includes:

Feedstock → Production → Distribution → Combustion

3	The CI Calculation Formula

For many pathways, the CI value is determined by summing the specific emissions associated with different lifecycle components:

CI = CI_f + CI_p + CI_cl + CI_e + CI_td + CI_c

Variable	Component	Description
CI_f	Feedstock	Emissions from feedstock extraction or production
CI_p	Production	Emissions from production processes, including transport of feedstocks and intermediaries
CI_cl	Compression / Liquefaction	Emissions from compression or liquefaction of the fuel
CI_e	Electricity	Additional emissions from electricity used during production
CI_td	Transport & Distribution	Emissions from T&D if total distance is at least 1,500 km
CI_c	Combustion	Emissions from combustion or end-use of the fuel

4	The Three-Step Modelling Process

The Fuel LCA Model utilises a structured approach to calculate CI values using the OpenLCA software.

Step 1: CFR Data Workbook

Data Collection

Applicants collect primary operating data — quantities of feedstock, fuel, and electricity used — over a 24-month period. This data is converted to standard temperature and pressure and used to calculate input/output flows for the pathway.

Step 2: Allocation Matrix

Co-Products

If a process produces multiple outputs (like ethanol and dried distiller's grains), the applicant must use an Allocation Matrix to partition the production emissions between the fuel and its co-products based on their energy content (Higher Heating Value).

Step 3: OpenLCA Modelling

Final CI Result

The quantified flows and allocation factors from the workbook are copied into the OpenLCA software, where they are linked to emission factors from the ECCC Data Library to generate the final CI result.

5	CI Value Timeline: Default to Permanent

ECCC provides a structured pathway for applicants to progress from a default CI value to a facility-specific permanent CI, reflecting increasing data availability over time.

Default CI

First 12 months

ECCC allows use of a pre-calculated default CI value while applicants collect initial operating data. No facility-specific modelling required yet.

Temporary CI

With 3+ months of data

Once at least 3 months of facility-specific operating data is available, applicants can apply for a temporary CI value. Valid for up to 24 months while full data is compiled.

Permanent CI

With 24 months of data

After collecting a full 24 months of operating data, the applicant submits for a permanent CI value — the definitive score used for ongoing credit creation.

This staged approach enables producers to begin generating credits immediately using default CI values while building toward a facility-specific permanent CI that reflects their actual operational performance. A lower permanent CI translates directly into greater credit value per unit of fuel supplied.

6	Data Sources and Parameters

The model relies on a mix of data sources to ensure accuracy across different pathway types.

Applicant Data

Primary data describing the specific facility's operation — feedstock quantities, energy inputs, production volumes collected over 24 months.

Predefined Data

Standard factors provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) for common inputs like fossil fuel combustion emission factors.

Transferred CI Values

Approved CI values for inputs produced by a third party — such as RNG used to make hydrogen at a different facility.

Need Help With CI Modelling?

Climate Decode supports fuel producers in navigating the Fuel LCA Model, optimising CI scores, and structuring credit creation applications for maximum value under the CFR.

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About the Author

Koorosh Behrang

Founder, Climate Decode

Founder of Climate Decode with more than 10 years of experience across decarbonization strategy, corporate sustainability, Net Zero target setting, and compliance carbon markets. His work centers on the interaction between decarbonization pathways and regulated carbon systems, translating that complexity into finance-grade insight for executive decision making.

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