system and method for use of carbon emissions in characterizing driver performance and using such characterization to determine a profile/score associated with a particular insured. The profile/score can then be used to determine an insurance premium for the insured. In accordance with an embodiment, a driver can use a portable device equipped with a data collection and assessment environment, including one or more data collection devices that can be used to capture data and information or otherwise measure the carbon emissions associated with a vehicle. A framework (system) can receive information about the driver's driving profile, and use this information either to determine an insurance quote, or act as a broker/aggregator in inviting other insurance providers to offer an insurance quote, or usage based insurance quote (UBI).