GHG Protocol Alignment
Location-based emissions are calculated in accordance with the GHG Protocol using average emissions factors that reflect the emissions intensity of the physical energy supply at the location where consumption occurs.Performance Metrics
The following location-based emissions metrics are automatically calculated for the whole building any time data is updated for any applicable energy meter.| Whole Building Metric | Definition |
|---|---|
| Total (Location-based) Emissions | The sum of direct and indirect location-based emissions |
| Total (Location-based) Intensity | Total (Location-based) Emissions / Gross Floor Area |
| Indirect (Location-based) Emissions | Emissions from electricity and district energy sources |
| Direct Emissions | Emissions from fuels and energy sources burned onsite |
Emissions Factors
Abisko applies geographically appropriate, government-published emissions factors at the subregional, provincial/state, or national level, depending on data availability. Emissions factors are updated on an annual basis, following updates published by the U.S. EPA.North America
For U.S. properties, electricity-related emissions are calculated using U.S. EPA eGRID emissions factors, which represent grid-average emissions across 27 U.S. subregions. Emissions factors for non-electric energy subtypes (e.g. natural gas) are based on national average. For Canadian properties, emissions associated with electricity, natural gas, and district energy (steam, hot water, and chilled water) are calculated using U.S. EPA–published emissions factors at the provincial level. Emissions factors for all other direct fuel types are based on national averages.International
For properties located outside of North America, Abisko applies country-level emissions factors published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) for all energy subtypes, consistent with GHG Protocol guidance when subnational data is not available. Sources: IEAGreen Power
Section 6.4.1 of the GHG Protocol Scope 2 guidance states the following:Companies who are consuming energy directly from a generation facility that has sold certificates (either owned/operated equipment or a direct line) forfeit not only the right to claim those emissions in the market-based method but also the right to claim that emissions profile in the location-based method.To adhere to GHG Protocol guidance, electricity generated onsite and consumed for which the associated RECs are sold or arbitraged is treated as grid electricity when calculating location-based emissions. Furthermore, any electricity generated onsite and exported to the grid or purchased offsite does not impact location-based calculations.
Green Power Adjustments
Electricity generated onsite and consumed for which RECs are owned is counted as zero-emissions electricity. To reflect this onsite green power, total electricity consumption must be adjusted prior to calculating location-based emissions.- Total Electricity: Energy consumption associated with all onsite and grid electric meters, regardless of REC ownership status.
- Total Onsite Green Power: Electricity generated and used onsite for which RECs are owned.
LB-Adjusted Electricity: [Total Electricity] - [Onsite Green Power]
Methodology
1
All in-metric energy meters associated are collected
- Whole building performance metrics are driven by in-metric meters. Learn more.
2
Meter consumption is normalized into common units & calendar months
Consumption entries are broken down and reconstituted into monthly values for each meter.
Monthly and annual emissions are separately calculated for each meter.
3
Monthly consumption values are aggregated by energy subtype
Monthly consumption totals are calculated for each energy subtype by aggregating values across meters of the same subtype.
- e.g. total electricity consumption, total natural gas consumption
4
Electricity consumption totals are adjusted for green power
LB-Adjusted Electricity: [Total Electricity] - [Onsite Green Power]
- Click here to learn more about green power.
5
Emissions values are calculated for each energy subtype
- Emissions factors are determined by the energy subtype and property location
- Monthly energy values are multiplied by the appropriate emissions factor
6
Emissions values are aggregated by emissions type
Monthly emissions values are aggregated by emissions type to calculate direct, indirect and total location-based monthly emissions metrics.
7
Monthly emissions values are aggregated over rolling 12-month periods
Monthly values are rolled up to provide annual location-based emissions metrics for every possible 12-month reporting period.
Tracking Performance Metrics
Users can analyze location-based emissions across meters, properties and portfolios.Portfolio Level
- Portfolio → Portfolio Trends → Emissions
- Annual portfolio-level emissions metrics & trends (whole building)
- Portfolio → Property Trends → Emissions
- Annual property-level emissions metrics & trends (whole building)
- Portfolio → Goals → Emissions
- Annual property-level emissions metrics relative to reduction targets
- Portfolio → CRREM → Emissions
- Annual property and portfolio-level emissions trends relative to CRREM targets
Property Level
- Property → Performance → All Time Usage Trends Report
- Property-level report with monthly & annual emissions trends
- Property → Annual Trends
- Annual property-level emissions metrics & trends (whole building)
- Property → Meter Exploration → Emissions
- Monthly & annual meter-level emissions trends
- Property → CRREM → Emissions
- Annual property-level emissions trends relative to CRREM targets
EXCEL Reports
- Portfolio → Reports → Performance
- Portfolio Performance & Data Quality Report
- Investor Report (PDF Only)
- Portfolio → Reports → ESPM
- ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® - Multiyear Performance Report