---
title: "Setting up carbon emission categories"
slug: "carbon-emission-categories"
updated: 2026-04-29T08:23:51Z
published: 2026-04-29T08:23:51Z
canonical: "help.cintra.co.uk/carbon-emission-categories"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cintra.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Setting up carbon emission categories

Before users can record CO2 emissions on their expense claims, you need to create the relevant categories and configure the Calculate CO2 setting on each one. The setup varies slightly depending on the emission type.

For more information on setting up categories in Capture Expense, see [Expense categories](/capture-expense/docs/categories-1).

### **Flights, hotels, and utilities**

For each emission type, create a category and select the corresponding CO2 option.

1. Go to **Setup > Categories**.
2. Click **+ Category**.
3. Enter a **Name,** e.g. *Flight* or *Hotel*.
4. Select *Variable Amount Only* as the **Configure Entry**. For Hotel and Utility categories, you may prefer **Quantity and Variable Rate** or **Quantity and Fixed Rate** instead.
5. Select **Distance Calculator**.
6. Select the relevant option from **Calculate CO2**: *Transport, Flight, Hotel,* or *Utility*.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/image(367).png)

1. Click **Save**.

Repeat for each emission type you need to track.

### **Public transport (train, ferry, bus)**

1. Go to **Setup > Categories**.
2. Click **+ Category**.
3. Enter a **Name,** e.g. *Train*.
4. Select *Variable Amount Only* as the **Configure Entry**.
5. Select **Distance Calculator**.
6. Select *Transport* from **Calculate CO2**.
7. Select the relevant **Transport Type** — Train, Ferry, or Bus. If detailed reporting is required, specify the type further using the **Type** dropdown.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/image(368).png)

1. Click **Save**.

**Vehicle mileage (car, van, motorbike)**

Vehicle mileage CO2 tracking requires a vehicle record to exist before the category can be configured. Complete both steps below for each vehicle type you need to track.

**Setting up the vehicle record**

1. Go to **Setup > Vehicles**.
2. Click **+ Vehicle**.
3. Ensure **Active** is selected.
4. Enter a **Description**, e.g. *Motorbike*.
5. Select *Use Approved Rates* to use HMRC rates.
6. Select the relevant **Transport Type** and, if detailed reporting is required, specify the vehicle type further using the **Type** dropdown.
7. Select the matching option from **Approved Vehicle Type**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/image(369).png)

1. Click **Save**.

**Creating the vehicle category**

1. Go to **Setup > Categories**.
2. Click **+ Category**.
3. Enter a **Name** matching the vehicle type, e.g. *Motorbike*.
4. Select *Vehicle Mileage* as the **Configure Entry**.
5. Select **Distance Calculator**.
6. Select **Transport** from **Calculate CO2**.
7. Select the matching **Transport Type** and **Type** to align with the vehicle record.
8. Click **Save**.

Repeat both steps for each vehicle type you need to track.