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 guideScope 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.
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.
Learn what EACs are
Use the EAC guide when the question is about certificate systems, attributes, and market terminology.
Open EAC guideMove 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 pathsPublic 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.
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
Define the footprint
Identify the countries, facilities, and electricity consumption that sit inside the relevant reporting boundary.
-
2
Check market fit
Review available certificate systems and whether the market can support the intended sourcing route.
-
3
Structure the request
Turn country, volume, year, technology, delivery, and documentation needs into comparable supplier criteria.
-
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 emissions
Use this for the broader purchased electricity and renewable sourcing workflow.
Open Scope 2 guideI-REC Scope 2 reporting
Use this when I-REC markets are relevant to market-based Scope 2 questions.
Open I-REC Scope 2Energy attribute certificates
Use this for certificate terminology, market systems, and attributes.
Open EAC guideBuy energy attribute certificates
Use this when certificate criteria are ready for a buying workflow.
Compare buying pathsCareful 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.
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.
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.