Configuring location-based emission factors

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.

To configure location-based emission factors:

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:

Emission factor display requirements:

Tip

If you don't see expected countries or energy types in the Emission Factor Tool, verify that meters exist and have consumption data.

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 — displayed in the platform dropdown as:

Default (Scaler emission factors: CRREM v2.07 + EPA + NGA + Canada National Inventory)

The label is shortened for readability. The underlying composition is:

Optional licensed source — IEA (Europe): Clients with an IEA license can select IEA as the source for individual European countries via the gear icon next to each country. IEA is not part of the default set — it is an alternative source that overrides CRREM for the selected country.

For complete methodology, see Location-based emission factor methodology.

Only relevant countries and energy types appear, based on your meter setup:

Visual cues:

Video: Setting up location-based emission factors

At any time, you can override default emission factors by switching to manual mode.

When to use manual emission 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:

Critical: Update the Reference field

Always update the Reference field when manually editing emission factors. This maintains audit trail transparency and GHG Protocol compliance.

When default datasets are updated, Scaler handles version management automatically.

How updates work:

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.

Use the Download table button to export a spreadsheet containing:

This export is useful for:

Problem: Energy network field doesn't appear

Cause: Asset Country is not set to Australia, Canada, 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.

Problem: Province-level Canadian factors are not applying despite State/province being filled in

Cause: Province-level factors in Canada are determined by the Energy network field, not State/province. These are separate fields.

Solution: Assign the correct province or territory in the Energy network field under Asset Details → Location.

Problem: Canadian provinces don't appear in the Energy network dropdown when bulk-uploading via the Scaler Spreadsheet

Cause: You're using a Scaler Spreadsheet template version earlier than v02.02. Canadian Energy Network values were added in v02.02.

Solution: Download a fresh spreadsheet template from the Asset List — it will be on the latest version with Canadian provinces and territories enabled.