Purpose of this article
This article guides you through setting up roadmap inputs, interpreting projected performance against decarbonisation pathways, and understanding the financial implications of your portfolio's transition strategy.
When to use the Roadmap Tool
Use the Roadmap Tool when you need to:
- Assess long-term alignment with decarbonisation pathways (such as CRREM)
- Model the impact of efficiency measures on future performance
- Quantify transition risk in financial terms
- Plan capital allocation for decarbonisation initiatives
- Evaluate the effect of acquisitions and disposals on portfolio alignment
- Communicate strategy and progress to internal and external stakeholders
Don't use the Roadmap Tool for:
- Current performance monitoring → Use Analytics Portal dashboards
- Historical data entry → Use Data Collection Portal consumption tools
- Immediate compliance reporting → Use Reports
How the Roadmap Tool works
The Roadmap Tool connects historical performance, planned actions, and future pathways into a single view. Here's the complete workflow:
- Define inputs — Add measures, acquisitions, disposals, and pathway targets in the Data Collection Portal
- Scaler calculates projections — Combines historical data with future scenarios to project performance through 2050
- View and interpret results — Analyze alignment, risk, and financial exposure in the Analytics Portal
- Export audit trail — Download detailed calculations for documentation and assurance
Key methodology note: GFA vs GIA in CRREM assessments
CRREM pathways are formally defined using Gross Internal Area (GIA), which represents usable internal floor area. However, GIA data is often unavailable or inconsistently reported across portfolios.
Scaler uses Gross Floor Area (GFA) for CRREM-related calculations because:
- GFA is more widely available across assets and regions
- GFA is commonly used in ESG reporting frameworks (including GRESB)
- Using GFA reduces the need for assumptions or estimated conversions
- Consistent area definitions improve comparability across portfolios
Using GFA instead of GIA may result in slightly different absolute intensity values, but it does not change the underlying trajectory or interpretation of pathway alignment when applied consistently.
This approach prioritizes transparency, consistency across assets, and practical usability for portfolio-level analysis.
Setting up your roadmap inputs (Data Collection Portal)
Navigation: Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Roadmap Measures
This section covers everything you need to configure before viewing roadmap results.
Roadmap Measures
Roadmap measures represent planned future actions that affect energy use or emissions, such as retrofits, system upgrades, or efficiency improvements.
Measures model how asset performance changes over time and how those changes affect pathway alignment.
Where measures are managed
- Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Roadmap Measures
- Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Asset list → edit → Roadmap Measures
How measures work
- Measures take effect from their defined start year
- Their impact is reflected in future energy and emissions projections
- Only measures with an active
Statusare included in roadmap calculations
Watch: Adding roadmap measures
Adding measures manually
When adding a measure, provide:
- Measure name and type — Describes the action (e.g., window replacement, heat pump installation)
- Start year — When the measure takes effect in projections
- Impact estimates — Expected reduction in energy use or emissions
- Cost details — Capital expenditure and estimated payback period
- Status — Must be set to active for the measure to affect projections
AI-powered measure suggestions
Scaler can automatically identify and recommend potential efficiency or decarbonisation measures based on your asset data.
Navigation: Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Roadmaps → Add measure → AI Measure Suggestion button
What it analyzes
- Energy, fuel, and heating consumption
- Solar production
- Building age and type
- Location and climate zone
- Historical roadmap measures
What it recommends
- Suggested measures with estimated EUI or GHG reduction
- Indicative cost and payback estimates
- Alternative options (e.g., insulation, heat pumps, window replacement)
How to use AI suggestions
- Review suggested measures for your asset
- Apply suggestions directly to the roadmap
- Create a group of measures for coordinated implementation
- Generate a carbon-saving measure
- Request partner advisory support for validation or deeper analysis
Limitation
AI suggestions do not account for values entered under Average vacancy rate. Suggestions are based on total asset consumption and do not adjust for occupancy levels. This is because Average vacancy rate reflects historical occupancy, while roadmap measures apply to forward-looking consumption projections across multiple years. Scaler does not currently support entering annual occupancy estimates to influence measure impact calculations.
Acquisitions
Acquisitions represent assets that enter the portfolio in future years.
Use acquisitions to:
- Model expected portfolio growth
- Test alternative expansion scenarios
- Understand how new assets affect long-term alignment
From the acquisition year onward, the asset is included in:
- Portfolio totals
- Roadmap projections
- Pathway comparisons
Disposals
Disposals represent assets that leave the portfolio.
From the disposal year onward (entered as a Sell measure), the asset is excluded from:
- Portfolio-level roadmap calculations
- Aggregate performance metrics
- Pathway alignment assessments
Use disposals to:
- Model portfolio optimization strategies
- Assess the impact of divestment on alignment
- Test different disposal timing scenarios
Pathway targets
Pathway targets define the desired threshold for performance over time, typically from a base year through 2050.
Pathways can be:
- Predefined (e.g., CRREM 1.5°C pathways), or
- Custom (user-defined reduction trajectories)
Where to configure pathway targets
Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Targets & Benchmarks
The selected pathway provides the reference line against which roadmap performance is evaluated. Your projected performance is compared to this pathway annually to assess alignment and calculate misalignment.
Understanding your roadmap results (Analytics Portal)
Navigation: Analytics Portal → Roadmap
Once inputs are configured, the Analytics Portal displays projected performance, alignment trends, and financial implications.
Portfolio vs asset view
The Roadmap Tool can be viewed at two levels:
Portfolio roadmap
- Shows aggregate performance, alignment, and risk across the entire portfolio
- Useful for executive-level discussions and strategic overviews
- Helps identify systemic trends and portfolio-wide risks
Asset roadmap
- Shows asset-specific performance, pathways, and the impact of individual measures
- Useful for operational planning and targeted interventions
- Helps identify which assets drive misalignment
Switching between these views helps identify both portfolio-wide trends and asset-level drivers.
Accessing and exporting data
As you analyze roadmap results, you have multiple ways to access and export the underlying data.
Show underlying data (chart-level export)
Below most charts, you'll find a Show underlying data heading with a dropdown arrow. Expand this to view the data in table format, including:
- Metric name
- Year-by-year values
- All data points used to generate the chart
This is useful for viewing underlying values directly in the platform without needing to export the Roadmap audit spreadsheet
Roadmap Audit (chart-level export)
At chart level level, you can download a Roadmap Audit Excel file containing detailed calculations and assumptions.
See this article for more detailed information about this download.
Navigation: Analytics Portal → Roadmap Analysis →choose chart
What the audit export contains
- Transparency into underlying calculations
- Visibility into assumptions and inputs (grid factors, measure impacts, pathway targets)
- Year-by-year breakdown of projections
- Asset-level and portfolio-level data
When to use the audit export
- External review and assurance processes
- Documentation for sustainability reports
- Internal validation of methodology
- Sharing detailed calculations with stakeholders
What it's useful for
- Supporting audit and assurance workflows
- Explaining calculation methodology to third parties
- Troubleshooting unexpected results
- Maintaining documentation trails for compliance
Overview tab
The Overview tab provides a high-level view of your portfolio's roadmap performance through 2050.
What it shows
- Portfolio-level roadmap charts through 2050
- Scaler aggregate pathways, derived from CRREM location-property-type pathways and GFA-weighted by portfolio composition
- Projected alignment or misalignment trends
- Key risk indicators and financial exposure
How to read the charts
Projected trend line — Shows your portfolio's expected future performance based on:
- Historical baseline (most recent year of data)
- Grid decarbonisation assumptions
- Planned roadmap measures
- Acquisitions and disposals
Pathway reference line — Shows the target performance threshold defined by your selected pathway (e.g., CRREM 1.5°C)
Misalignment — The gap between your projected performance and the pathway:
- Aligned — Projected performance meets or exceeds the pathway target
- Above the pathway — Projected performance exceeds the target threshold (misaligned)
- Below the pathway — Projected performance is better than required (performing ahead of target)
Tip: Filters can be used to adjust which assets are included in the projected roadmap trend, but the aggregate pathway remains based on the entire portfolio.
Financial charts
The financial charts translate performance and misalignment into financial terms, helping you quantify the cost implications of different decarbonisation strategies.
Transition Risk Exposure (%)
What it shows: Portfolio-level transition risk according to GFA and GAV, based on the aggregate CRREM 1.5°C pathway by EU and GHG intensity.
What it supports: Understanding which portion of your portfolio faces the greatest climate transition risk.
How to use it: Identify high-risk assets or regions that may require priority action or capital allocation.
Planned capital investments by year
What it shows: Visualizes planned CapEx across your portfolio by year and measure type.
What it supports: Capital allocation planning and budgeting for decarbonisation initiatives.
How to use it: Assess whether planned investments align with financial capacity and strategic priorities. Identify years with concentrated spending that may require adjustment.
Cumulative CapEx & emissions savings
What it shows: The cumulative capital expenditure and associated emissions reductions over time.
What it supports: ROI assessment and cost-benefit analysis of decarbonisation measures.
How to use it: Evaluate whether planned measures deliver sufficient emissions reductions relative to investment. Compare alternative measure scenarios.
Annual cost exposure from emissions misalignment
What it shows: The estimated annual financial exposure when actual or projected GHG emissions exceed pathway-aligned emissions limits.
What it calculates: Based on:
- The gap between projected emissions and the selected pathway
- Client-entered carbon price
- The portfolio's active floor area and emissions intensity
What it supports: Quantifying transition risk in financial terms for strategic planning and risk assessment.
How to use it:
- Identify years where misalignment becomes materially significant
- Prioritize measures or capital investments to reduce future cost exposure
- Support investment committee discussions with concrete financial implications
Important: This is a scenario-based estimate, not an accounting cost, and is intended for strategic planning and risk assessment, not statutory financial reporting.
These financial charts are commonly used for:
- Investment committee discussions
- Prioritizing measures and capital allocation
- Comparing alternative roadmap scenarios
- Communicating financial implications to senior stakeholders
Energy and GHG emissions tabs
The Energy and GHG tabs provide detailed views of intensity trends and pathway alignment.
What these tabs show
- Intensity trends over time (energy use intensity and GHG intensity)
- Performance by location-property type groupings
- Projected performance against selected pathways
- Net Zero Scores indicating relative pathway alignment
How they differ from the Overview tab
- More granular breakdown by property type and location
- Focus on intensity metrics rather than aggregate totals
- Detailed pathway comparisons for specific asset groups
When to use these tabs
- When you need to understand performance drivers by property type or region
- When comparing alignment across different asset categories
- When explaining intensity trends to technical stakeholders
Important notes
- Projections are anchored to the most recent year with data (as defined by client)
- Net Zero Scores provide a relative indication of pathway alignment, not an absolute measure
Key concepts and methodology
These concepts are essential for interpreting roadmap results correctly.
Understanding misalignment
Misalignment describes the relationship between your projected performance and the selected pathway.
- Aligned — Your projected performance meets the pathway threshold
- Above the pathway — Your projected emissions or energy intensity exceeds the pathway limit (indicating transition risk)
- Below the pathway — Your projected performance is better than required (performing ahead of the target)
Misalignment is evaluated annually and can change over time as measures take effect, assets are acquired or disposed of, or grid decarbonisation assumptions evolve.
How projections are calculated
Scaler builds roadmap projections using:
Historical baseline
- Most recent year of available data (as defined by client)
- Recorded energy consumption and emissions
- Calculated intensity metrics
Future scenario inputs
- CRREM grid-decarbonisation assumptions
- Planned roadmap measures and their start years
- Acquisitions and disposals
- Client-defined pathway targets
Projections are calculated annually through 2050 and compared against the pathway to assess alignment over time.
Scenario-based estimates vs accounting costs
The financial charts in the Roadmap Tool provide scenario-based estimates for strategic planning purposes.
These are NOT:
- Accounting costs for financial statements
- Regulatory compliance figures
- Audited financial data
These ARE:
- Strategic planning tools
- Risk assessment indicators
- Decision-support metrics for capital allocation
Always clarify this distinction when presenting roadmap financial data to finance teams or external auditors.
Troubleshooting & common mistakes
Historical data not appearing → Confirm that Meter start date is set earlier than or equal to the oldest historical data point you uploaded.
Measures not reflected in projections → Verify that measures have an active Status and a defined start year. Inactive measures are excluded from calculations.
Missing meters after integration → Check that every meter from your third-party export has a corresponding meter created in Scaler. Compare your original export with the meters in Scaler to identify gaps.
Duplicate or conflicting data → Ensure that meter IDs are unique and that no two meters share the same external ID mapping.
AI suggestions seem inaccurate → Remember that AI suggestions do not account for Average vacancy rate. Suggestions are based on total asset consumption regardless of occupancy levels.
Projected trend line looks flat despite measures → Verify that measure start years are within the projection period and that impact estimates (EUI or GHG reduction) are properly entered.