Scope 2 GHG Emissions
Contents
Definition
Scope 2 GHG Emissions. Indirect GHG Emissions from the generation of purchased or acquired electricity, steam, heating, or cooling consumed by the reporting company or other entity. Scope 2 emissions physically occur at the facility where electricity is generated.[1]
Context
Scope 2 emissions represent one of the largest sources of GHG emissions globally and frequently the most significant opportunity to reduce these emissions.
The generation of electricity and heat now accounts for at least a third of global GHG emissions. Electricity consumers have significant opportunities to reduce those emissions by reducing electricity demand, and increasingly play a role in shifting energy supply to alternative low-carbon resources (See Sustainable Electricity)
- Scope 2 emissions physically occur at the facility where the electricity, steam, heating, or cooling is generated.
- Scope 2 GHG emissions will primarily be calculated from metered electricity consumption and supplier-specific, local grid, or other published emission factors.
Calculation Approach
Scope 2 GHG emissions will primarily be calculated from metered electricity consumption and supplier-specific, local grid, or other published emission factors.
Emissions from Transmission and Distribution Losses
Emissions from the generation of purchased electricity that is consumed during transmission and distribution are reported in scope 2 by the company that owns or controls the Transmission and Distribution (TD) operation. End consumers of the purchased electricity do not report indirect emissions associated with TD losses in scope 2 because they do not own or control the TD operation where the electricity is consumed (TD loss).
Specific Protocols
Corporate Protocol
To calculate scope 2 emissions, the Corporate Standard recommends multiplying activity data (MWhs of electricity consumption) by source and supplier-specific emission factors to arrive at the total GHG emissions impact of electricity use. Concrete methods:
City Protocol
GHG emissions occurring as a consequence of the use of grid-supplied electricity, heat, steam and/or cooling within the city boundary.[2]
