Scope 2 emissions — purchased electricity
carbon accounting for India.
Scope 2 emissions are indirect greenhouse gas emissions from purchased energy consumed by the company. For Indian manufacturing companies, purchased electricity is typically the dominant Scope 2 source — and the grid emission factor determines the accuracy of the entire Scope 2 figure.
Sustaineve applies CEA (Central Electricity Authority) grid emission factors for India — the authoritative source for Indian grid CO₂ intensity. National and state-level factors are used for location-based Scope 2 calculation. This is the correct methodology for BRSR Principal 6 disclosure and GHG Protocol Corporate Standard reporting.
India Grid Emission Factors
CEA 2023 · Location-based method · kgCO₂/kWh
Source: CEA CO₂ Baseline Database 2023. Values indicative — use CEA latest release for filing.
Scope 2 Categories
Four Scope 2 categories under GHG Protocol.
All four handled in Sustaineve. Electricity dominates for most manufacturing operations in India.
Purchased Electricity
Primary sourceHighest Scope 2 source for most manufacturing companies
Electricity purchased from the grid and consumed in manufacturing operations. For Indian companies, the CEA national or state-level grid emission factor applies (location-based method).
India context: CEA 2023 national average: 0.82 kgCO₂/kWh. State-wise factors available for more precise reporting.
Formula: kWh consumed × CEA grid factor (kgCO₂/kWh) ÷ 1000 = tCO₂e
Purchased Steam
Significant for process-heat intensive manufacturing
Steam purchased from an external supplier for heating, sterilisation, or process operations. Emission factor depends on the fuel source used by the steam supplier.
India context: Steam suppliers typically coal or gas-fired. Emission factor sourced from supplier or IPCC default for the fuel used.
Formula: GJ of steam × Emission factor (kgCO₂/GJ) ÷ 1000 = tCO₂e
Purchased Heat
Lower relevance in Indian manufacturing context
Heat energy purchased from an external district heating system or thermal energy supplier. Less common in Indian industrial operations.
India context: Apply supplier emission factor if available, or IPCC default for heat generation fuel.
Formula: GJ of heat × Emission factor (kgCO₂/GJ) ÷ 1000 = tCO₂e
Purchased Cooling
Lower relevance — industrial context
Chilled water or cooling energy purchased from an external supplier. Relevant for facilities with external cooling infrastructure.
India context: Typically low emission contribution in Indian industrial operations. Supplier factor or IPCC default applies.
Formula: GJ of cooling × Emission factor (kgCO₂/GJ) ÷ 1000 = tCO₂e
Calculation Methods
Location-based vs market-based Scope 2.
GHG Protocol requires both methods where market-based instruments exist. For BRSR in India, location-based is the standard.
Location-Based
Standard for India BRSRUses the average emission intensity of the grid where electricity is consumed. For India: CEA national average or state-level grid emission factor (kgCO₂/kWh).
- Directly reflects grid carbon intensity
- CEA-published factors accepted by BRSR auditors
- No contractual instruments required
- Standard approach for Indian operations
Formula: kWh × CEA factor (kgCO₂/kWh) ÷ 1000 = tCO₂e
Market-Based
For renewable energy claimsUses emission factors from contractual instruments — renewable energy certificates (RECs), power purchase agreements (PPAs) with generators, or supplier-specific emission rates.
- Allows renewable electricity claims
- Reflects actual energy procurement contracts
- Required for RE100 and SBTi reporting
- Residual mix factor applies without instruments
Formula: kWh × Contractual factor (kgCO₂/kWh) ÷ 1000 = tCO₂e
FAQ
Scope 2 emissions — common questions.
What are Scope 2 emissions?
Scope 2 emissions are indirect GHG emissions from purchased energy consumed by the company — electricity, steam, heat, and cooling. Under GHG Protocol, these emissions physically occur at the generation facility but are attributed to the consumer. For most Indian manufacturing companies, purchased electricity is the dominant Scope 2 source.
What is the India grid emission factor for Scope 2 electricity?
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) publishes India's national average grid emission factor annually. The 2023 national average is 0.82 kgCO₂/kWh (location-based method). CEA also publishes state-level factors for more precise reporting. Sustaineve applies CEA grid emission factors for all Indian Scope 2 electricity calculations.
What is the difference between location-based and market-based Scope 2?
Location-based uses the average grid emission factor where electricity is consumed — CEA national or state factor for India. Market-based uses emission factors from contractual instruments like renewable energy certificates or PPAs. GHG Protocol requires both where market-based instruments exist. For BRSR, location-based is the standard approach.
How is Scope 2 electricity calculated in tCO₂e?
Scope 2 electricity tCO₂e = Electricity consumed (kWh) × Grid emission factor (kgCO₂/kWh) ÷ 1000. Example using CEA 2023 national average: 1,000,000 kWh × 0.82 kgCO₂/kWh = 820,000 kgCO₂e = 820 tCO₂e. Sustaineve applies this automatically when electricity consumption is entered.
Scope 2 — India CEA factors applied correctly
See your Scope 2 inventory calculated for India.
CEA grid factors. Location-based and market-based. BRSR-ready output. 30-minute demo.