The dashboard can be used by selecting one of two sector categorisations: the EUTL sectors based on the EUTL main activities, or a custom version developed by Sandbag. In the Sandbag categorisation, the power and heat sectors are separated, and the iron and steel sector has been enhanced to include installations from other sectors within the steel value chain. Based on the chosen categorisation, the charts will automatically update, displaying the historical evolution of CO2 emissions, the distribution of installations across Europe, and detailed sector-level insights on emissions and free allowances. Additional filters can be applied to further refine the data by subsector, providing a more specific view of the selected sector. More information about these categorisations is provided within the dashboard.

Most of the data used in the dashboard is sourced from the European Union Transaction Log (EUTL). However, the way sectors and subsectors are defined varies depending on the categorisation. For Sandbag sectors, subsectors generally align with NACE categories where available, based on the main activity of the installation. For example, an installation containing both BF-BOF and a coke oven might be classified solely as “BF-BOF.” NACE data are further supplemented by information from various sources, including the EUTL, JRC Open Power Plants Database (JRC-PPDB), and company websites. In contrast, for EUTL sectors, subsectors are directly based on the “Main Activity” field from the EUTL data.