Originally developed for the United Kingdom by the UK Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC), the 2050 Pathway Calculators are a suite of tools that let users create their own energy pathway for a given country. The calculator allows users to consider the choices and trade-offs nations face. They covers all parts of the economy and all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The models are rooted in scientific and engineering realities, looking at what is thought to be physically and technically possible in each sector.

This 2050 Calculator: how to guide provides a brief overview of how the more detailed Excel-based 2050 Calculator spreadsheet works and answers some of the key questions that users may have with regard to using this spreadsheet tool. This guide includes:

• Information on how to make a pathway in the spreadsheet;
• a series of summary schematics that set out the broad ways in which certain outputs (emissions, energy supply, energy demand, costs, air pollution emissions and land use) are produced by the Calculator; and
• answers to some commonly asked questions about the Calculator spreadsheet, with questions grouped by broad categories. These frequently asked questions provide specific detail on the input assumptions, methodology and outputs of the 2050 Calculator spreadsheet.