Purpose of this article
This article explains how to configure location-based emission factors in Scaler, how they are applied across your portfolio, and how to use the Location-based Emission Factor Tool.
Location-based emission factors represent the average emissions intensity of the electricity grid or energy supply in a specific geographic region. Scaler provides a default, regularly updated emission factor set that enables consistent emissions calculations across global portfolios.
For detailed methodology on how emission factors are sourced, projected, and applied, see Location-based emission factor methodology.
For version history and dataset changes, see Location-based emission factor reference log.
Important context before you begin
Expand for details
Under the GHG Protocol, location-based and market-based are two methods for calculating Scope 2 emissions (purchased electricity, steam, heat, and cooling):
- Location-based: Uses grid-average emission factors for the region where energy is consumed
- Market-based: Uses supplier-specific contractual instruments (renewable tariffs, PPAs, Energy Attribute Certificates)
This article covers location-based emission factors. For market-based configuration, see Configuring market-based emission factors.
Scope 2 only — with one important clarification
While the terms "location-based" and "market-based" formally apply to Scope 2 emissions under the GHG Protocol, Scaler's Location-based Emission Factor Tool displays emission factors for all energy subcategories in your portfolio, including fuels (which contribute to Scope 1 or Scope 3 depending on control).
This tool structure does not change scope classifications — it simply provides a single interface for reviewing all default emission factors.
For scope classification details, see Understanding Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions in Scaler.
Automatic application
Scaler automatically applies location-based emission factors to all meters based on:
- Asset country
- Energy network (if assigned in Australia or United States)
- Meter subcategory and source
- Consumption year
No manual configuration is required unless you want to:
- Assign energy networks for regional accuracy
- Switch between CRREM and national datasets (Australia & United States only)
- Apply manual overrides
Overview of the workflow
To configure location-based emission factors:
- Ensure meters are set up correctly
- (Optional) Assign energy networks for regional factors (Australia & United States only)
- Review emission factors in the Emission Factor Tool
- (Optional) Choose between CRREM and national datasets (Australia & United States only)
- (Optional) Switch to manual emission factors
1. Ensure meters are set up correctly
Before reviewing or adjusting emission factors, verify that meters exist with the correct configuration.
Navigation: Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Asset List → select asset → Meters & Consumption
Each meter must have:
Subcategory(e.g., electricity, natural gas, district heating)
Source(e.g., green, grey, mix of green/grey)
Emission factor display requirements:
- Meters must exist in Data Collection Portal → Asset → Meters & Consumption
- Only energy types with active meters appear in the Emission Factor Tool
- Only countries where your portfolio has assets appear in the list
- Emission factor values display starting from the first year where consumption data exists
Tip
If you don't see expected countries or energy types in the Emission Factor Tool, verify that meters exist and have consumption data.
2. Assign energy networks for regional factors (Australia & United States only)
Expand for full details
For assets in Australia and the United States, Scaler can apply regional emission factors that better reflect the actual emissions intensity of the electricity grid serving a specific asset.
If no energy network is assigned, Scaler defaults to national-level emission factors.
Why energy networks matter
Regional factors improve accuracy for:
- Compliance reporting (e.g., Building Performance Standards)
- GRESB submissions
- Internal emissions tracking aligned with actual grid supply
How to assign energy networks
Single asset:
- Go to Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Asset List
- Click the edit (pencil) icon for the asset
- In Asset Details → Location, find
Energy network
- Select the correct network from the dropdown
- Save
The Energy network field only appears when Country is set to Australia or United States.
Bulk assignment:
- Go to Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Asset List
- Select relevant assets
- In the floating action bar at the bottom of your screen click Download
- In the download pop-up, select Custom Selection, then Select fields
- Search for
Energy networkin Asset Characteristics → Asset details
- Download the template
- In the
Energy networkcolumn, select the correct value
- Save and re-upload the spreadsheet
The dropdown only populates once Country is set to Australia or United States.
Scaler applies the appropriate regional emission factor automatically when the Energy network is populated.
Determining your region - Australia
Australia has two main wholesale electricity markets. Use the following regional boundary maps:
National Electricity Market (NEM) regional boundaries
Regions include:
- Queensland (QLD)
- New South Wales (NSW)
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
- Victoria (VIC)
- South Australia (SA)
- Tasmania (TAS)
Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) — SWIS and NWIS regions
Regions include:
North West Interconnected System (NWIS)
South West Interconnected System (SWIS)
Determining your region - United States
The U.S. EPA divides the country into 26 eGRID subregions based on electricity transmission networks. Use these tools to identify the correct subregion:
EPA Online Power Profiler
EPA Power Profiler Excel Tool
Download the "Excel version" from the EPA website. Enter ZIP codes on the Data Entry sheet to identify subregions. If multiple subregions are returned, use the online tool to select the correct utility.
EPA eGRID Maps
Important: If multiple subregions are returned, use the online tool to select the correct utility. The Excel tool does not prompt for utility selection if multiple options exist.
3. Review emission factors in the Emission Factor Tool
You can review which location-based emission factors Scaler applies by navigating to the Emission Factor Tool.
Navigation: Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Emission Factors
By default, portfolios use Scaler's default emission factor set, which combines:
- CRREM (electricity, district energy factors, natural gas)
- Australian National Greenhouse Accounts (Australian state-level factors)
- U.S. EPA eGRID (U.S. subregional factors)
- Energy Star Portfolio Manager (fuels, district hot water/chilled water)
For complete methodology, see Location-based emission factor methodology.
What the Emission Factor Tool shows
Only relevant countries and energy types appear, based on your meter setup:
Country— Countries where your portfolio has assets
Subcategory— Energy types with active meters
Year— Emission factor values starting from the first year where consumption data exists
- Emission factor value (kg CO₂e per kWh)
Reference— The dataset source
Visual cues:
- Blue outline → Value was manually edited
- Yellow outline → Emission factor is zero (intentional or unintentional)
Video: Setting up location-based emission factors
4. Choose between CRREM and national datasets (Australia & United States only)
Expand for full details
For Australia and the United States, a "gear" icon appears next to the country row in the Emission Factor Tool. This allows you to toggle between:
- CRREM values (global methodology)
- National database values (NGA for Australia, eGRID for United States)
When toggled:
The selection applies to all assets in that country.
If no energy network is selected for an asset, Scaler defaults to the national emission factor. This can be the national database average or the CRREM value.
Why you might choose one over the other
Use CRREM when:
- You need consistency across global portfolios
- You're using CRREM for stranding risk analysis or roadmapping
- You want forward-looking projections through 2050
Use national datasets when:
- You need regional accuracy (state/subregion-level factors)
- You're complying with local regulations that reference specific datasets
- You prefer nationally recognized emission factors
For methodology details, see Location-based emission factor methodology.
5. Switch to manual emission factors
At any time, you can override default emission factors by switching to manual mode.
When to use manual emission factors:
- Supplier-specific data for fuels with different composition (e.g., biogas blends)
- Alternative methodologies required by specific frameworks or auditors
- Correcting data quality issues in default datasets, e.g. specific district heating or cooling factors
Important: Fuels and manual overrides
Fuel emission factors should only be adjusted when actual fuel composition differs from standard values (e.g., biogas blends, alternative fuel mixes). Do not adjust fuel factors to reflect renewable energy purchases or carbon offsets — this does not apply to fuels in the same way as renewable electricity. For details, see Location-based emission factor methodology.
How to switch to manual mode:
- Open the dropdown at the top of the Emission Factor Tool
- Select
Manual
- Edit emission factor values directly in the table
- Update the
Referencefield to document the source
Critical: Update the Reference field
Always update the Reference field when manually editing emission factors. This maintains audit trail transparency and GHG Protocol compliance.
Automatic emission factor updates
When default datasets are updated, Scaler handles version management automatically.
How updates work:
- Scaler automatically updates the Default emission factor set when CRREM, NGA, or eGRID release new values
- Any portfolio using
Defaultimmediately receives new values
- Previous emission factor sets remain selectable in the dropdown for consistency
Update timing:
As a general rule, Scaler avoids updating default emission factors during active reporting seasons (January–July) to maintain consistency for organizations preparing sustainability reports, GRESB submissions, and compliance filings.
Updates are communicated to portfolio administrators ahead of time.
For complete version history, see Location-based emission factor reference log.
Download your emission factor table
Use the Download table button to export a spreadsheet containing:
- All countries relevant to your portfolio
- Year-by-year emission factors
- All references for auditing
This export is useful for:
- Sustainability audits
- Reporting documentation
- Annual methodology notes
- Sharing with external consultants
Troubleshooting & common mistakes
Problem: Energy network field doesn't appear
Cause: Asset Country is not set to Australia or United States.
Solution: Set Country first, then the Energy network field will populate.
Problem: Expected country or energy type doesn't appear in Emission Factor Tool
Cause: No meters exist for that country or energy type, or meters don't have consumption data.
Solution: Verify that meters are set up in Data Collection Portal → Asset → Meters & Consumption and have at least one year of consumption data.
Problem: Emission factor is zero (yellow outline)
Cause: Either intentionally set to zero, or data is missing for that year/region.
Solution: Review whether this is correct. If incorrect, check that the emission factor set includes values for that region and year, or switch to Manual to enter the correct value.
Problem: I want to use a previous emission factor set for consistency
Cause: Default set has been updated, but you need to maintain consistency with prior reporting.
Solution: Use the dropdown at the top of the Emission Factor Tool to select a previous emission factor set version. All historical sets remain available.
Problem: I adjusted a fuel emission factor but now I'm getting audit questions
Cause: Fuel emission factors should only be adjusted when actual fuel composition differs from standard values.
Solution: Review whether the adjustment is legitimate (e.g., biogas blend with verified composition). If not, revert to the default value. For guidance, see Location-based emission factor methodology — Why fuels appear in the Location-based Emission Factor Tool.
Additional resources
- Location-based emission factor methodology — Complete technical reference on sourcing, projections, and calculations
- Location-based emission factor reference log — Version history and dataset changes
- Understanding Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions in Scaler — Scope classification guidance
- Configuring market-based emission factors — Alternative Scope 2 accounting method
- EPA eGRID Power Profiler — Tool for determining U.S. eGRID subregions
- EPA eGRID Maps — U.S. subregion boundary maps
- CRREM website — Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor