Navitas pioneers a new approach to measuring agent emissions
Navitas has introduced a new, more precise methodology for calculating emissions associated with our global education agent network – an important advancement in strengthening the accuracy of our Scope 3 emissions reporting.
As part of our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and improving the transparency of our impact, Navitas has been reviewing ways to refine how indirect emissions are measured. Agent‑related emissions form a significant component of Navitas’ Scope 3 inventory, yet were historically calculated using a spend‑based method that relied on commission and expenditure data rather than actual operational activity. This approach, while widely used, was found to substantially overestimate emissions.
Why a new calculation was needed
Spend‑based calculations can be useful when activity data is unavailable, but they often paint an inaccurate picture of carbon impacts. In the case of agent‑related emissions, internal analysis showed that relying on financial data overstated the environmental footprint of the activities involved.
Recognising the need for a more realistic approach, Navitas set out to create a calculation method tailored specifically to how agents operate in the international education sector. This required detailed consideration of different agency sizes, geographies, and modes of operation – factors that influence electricity use, energy sourcing, and student recruitment activity.
A bespoke methodology built for accuracy
Using a combination of agent‑provided data, regional electricity emissions factors, and benchmark studies, Navitas developed a new emissions calculation model that is both more accurate and more representative of real‑world conditions.
This model eliminates the inflation caused by spend‑based calculations and produces smoother, more consistent regional patterns.
Applying the new methodology resulted in an approximately 80% reduction in emissions previously attributed to agent activity, and contributed to a 29% reduction in total reported Scope 3 emissions for FY25.
These results provide far greater confidence in the accuracy of Navitas’ emissions reporting and create a more realistic baseline from which to plan future reductions.
The methodology currently focuses on electricity‑related emissions (Scope 2), which represent the most material and measurable component of agent operations. Future refinements will aim to incorporate additional activity data as reporting maturity increases across the agent network.
Setting a new benchmark for the sector
Because no industry standard exists for calculating emissions from international education agents, Navitas’ methodology represents an important sector‑leading step. By aligning emissions with real operational behaviour rather than financial proxies, Navitas is helping to set new expectations for transparency and accuracy in the sustainability practices of the global education sector.