--- title: Location-Based vs Market-Based Emissions | Scope 2 Guide description: Compare location-based and market-based Scope 2 emissions reporting, and learn where energy attribute certificates fit in renewable electricity claims. --- Scope 2 reporting guide # Location-based vs market-based emissions: how Scope 2 reporting methods differ. Location-based and market-based emissions are two Scope 2 reporting methods for purchased electricity. GreenPowerHub fits where market-based reporting questions turn into renewable electricity certificate coverage, sourcing, RFQ, and documentation workflows. [Open Scope 2 guide](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/scope-2?hsLang=en) [Compare buying paths](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/buy-energy-attribute-certificates?hsLang=en) 60+ countries supported across certificate markets. Scope 2 methods **From reporting method to certificate sourcing criteria** Location-based **Average grid emissions factors for consumed electricity** Market-based **Contractual instruments and supplier-specific information where suitable** GPH fit **Certificate markets, EAC sourcing, RFQs, and trade documentation** Choose your next step ## Which Scope 2 question are you trying to answer? Use this page to separate the reporting concept from the procurement workflow that may follow. Reporting context ### Understand the Scope 2 boundary Use the Scope 2 guide when the question is about purchased electricity, reporting boundaries, and certificate sourcing requirements. [Open Scope 2 guide](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/scope-2?hsLang=en) Certificate instruments ### Learn what EACs are Use the EAC guide when the question is about certificate systems, attributes, and market terminology. [Open EAC guide](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/energy-attribute-certificates?hsLang=en) Buying workflow ### Move into certificate sourcing Use the buying page when you know the country, volume, and certificate criteria that need supplier quotes or available purchase options. [Compare buying paths](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/buy-energy-attribute-certificates?hsLang=en) Public GreenPowerHub metrics Used by buyers, sustainability teams, traders, utilities, and service providers working across renewable certificate markets. **60+** Countries supported across certificate markets **700+** Companies registered **100+ TWh** Energy certificates traded Method difference ## Location-based and market-based reporting answer different Scope 2 questions. Location-based reporting reflects the average emissions intensity of the grids where electricity consumption occurs. It helps companies understand the grid mix associated with their operational footprint. Market-based reporting reflects contractual instruments and supplier-specific information where those instruments meet the relevant guidance. Renewable electricity certificates are one possible contractual instrument in many markets. GreenPowerHub should be used when the market-based discussion becomes a sourcing question: which country, which certificate system, which volume, which vintage, and which documentation route. [Check certificate markets](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/platform/certificate-markets?hsLang=en) [Open I-REC Scope 2 guide](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/i-rec-scope-2-reporting?hsLang=en) ### Questions before sourcing - Which facilities and countries are in the Scope 2 boundary - Whether both location-based and market-based results are needed - Which certificate systems are available for each country - Consumption year, production year, and vintage expectations - Contractual instrument quality and documentation needs - Internal review of claims before public disclosure GreenPowerHub workflow ## Connect market-based Scope 2 questions to sourcing criteria. The reporting method is only the start. Procurement teams still need market coverage, certificate criteria, comparable supplier responses, and documentation. 1. 1 **Define the footprint** Identify the countries, facilities, and electricity consumption that sit inside the relevant reporting boundary. 2. 2 **Check market fit** Review available certificate systems and whether the market can support the intended sourcing route. 3. 3 **Structure the request** Turn country, volume, year, technology, delivery, and documentation needs into comparable supplier criteria. 4. 4 **Review claims separately** Keep final accounting, disclosure, and assurance decisions separate from the certificate sourcing workflow. Related pages ## Keep reporting context and certificate sourcing connected. Use these pages when the Scope 2 discussion moves from method definitions into certificate markets and buyer workflows. Scope 2 ### Scope 2 emissions Use this for the broader purchased electricity and renewable sourcing workflow. [Open Scope 2 guide](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/scope-2?hsLang=en) International ### I-REC Scope 2 reporting Use this when I-REC markets are relevant to market-based Scope 2 questions. [Open I-REC Scope 2](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/i-rec-scope-2-reporting?hsLang=en) EACs ### Energy attribute certificates Use this for certificate terminology, market systems, and attributes. [Open EAC guide](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/energy-attribute-certificates?hsLang=en) Buying ### Buy energy attribute certificates Use this when certificate criteria are ready for a buying workflow. [Compare buying paths](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/buy-energy-attribute-certificates?hsLang=en) Careful positioning ## EAC sourcing can support market-based reporting, but sourcing is not accounting. Renewable electricity certificates can support market-based Scope 2 reporting when the certificate attributes, geography, timing, claim, and documentation fit the relevant guidance. GreenPowerHub helps with the certificate market side of the work: coverage, RFQ, marketplace context, supplier engagement, and trade documentation. It does not replace carbon accounting, assurance, or final disclosure review. Public copy should avoid saying that any certificate automatically reduces emissions or fits every reporting claim. [Scope 2 emissions guide](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/scope-2?hsLang=en) [Buy EACs](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/buy-energy-attribute-certificates?hsLang=en) [GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance](https://ghgprotocol.org/scope-2-guidance) FAQ ## Location-based and market-based emissions questions ### Method basics What is the difference between location-based and market-based emissions? Location-based emissions use average grid emissions factors for consumed electricity. Market-based emissions reflect contractual instruments and supplier-specific information where they meet the relevant guidance. Are location-based and market-based emissions both Scope 2? Yes. They are both Scope 2 reporting methods for purchased electricity and other purchased energy, but they answer different questions about the electricity footprint and contractual instruments. ### Certificate sourcing Where do energy attribute certificates fit? Energy attribute certificates can be market-based contractual instruments when their attributes, geography, timing, claim, and documentation fit the relevant reporting guidance. Can GreenPowerHub calculate my Scope 2 emissions? No. GreenPowerHub is positioned around renewable electricity certificate sourcing workflows, not carbon accounting software. It helps teams move from certificate criteria to market coverage, RFQ, Marketplace, and trade documentation. Official sources ## References for standards, reporting, and market context. [Scope 2 Guidance **GHG Protocol** ](https://ghgprotocol.org/scope-2-guidance) [Energy Attribute Certificates **US EPA** ](https://www.epa.gov/green-power-markets/energy-attribute-certificates-eacs) [Greenhouse Gas Protocol **GHG Protocol** ](https://ghgprotocol.org/) Next step ## Turn market-based Scope 2 needs into certificate criteria. When the reporting boundary is clear, use certificate market coverage and GreenPowerHub buying paths to move from method questions into practical renewable electricity sourcing. [Compare buying paths](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/buy-energy-attribute-certificates?hsLang=en) [Check certificate markets](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/platform/certificate-markets?hsLang=en)