Scope 2 emissions
Scope 2 emissions are the indirect greenhouse gas emissions from the energy a company purchases — electricity, heat, steam and cooling. The emissions happen at the power station, but they are attributed to the organisation that consumes the energy.
Estimate your footprint freeThe three scopes at a glance
- • On-site fuel
- • Company vehicles
- • Refrigerants
- • Purchased electricity
- • Heat / steam
- • Cooling
- • Purchased goods
- • Business travel
- • Waste
Examples of Scope 2 emissions
- Purchased grid electricity for offices, stores and factories
- Purchased district heating
- Purchased steam for industrial processes
- Purchased cooling / chilled water
How to calculate Scope 2
Multiply your purchased energy (kWh) by the relevant grid emission factor. Because grids differ by country and year, Scope 2 is highly location-dependent — use a location-based factor for your market, or a market-based factor if you buy specific clean energy.
Frequently asked questions
Is purchased electricity Scope 2?
Yes. Electricity you buy from the grid is the classic Scope 2 emission — indirect, because it is generated off-site, but attributed to you as the consumer.
What is the difference between location-based and market-based Scope 2?
Location-based uses the average grid factor for your region. Market-based reflects the specific energy you contractually buy (e.g. renewable tariffs or guarantees of origin). The GHG Protocol asks for both where possible.