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Scope 2 emissions
Scope 2 emissions are related to energy procurement. Nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions can be traced to energy generation, we measured emissions from electricity generation using two methods – location-based emissions calculation and market-based emissions calculation. Since our energy provider, Seattle City Light, provides The Northwest School with net-zero electricity, under a market-based approach, there are no scope 2 emissions. Under a location-based approach, we use regional grid averages to determine emissions, using this method we find The Northwest School emitted 280 metric tons CO2e during the 2018-2019 school year. To evaluate the feasibility of a net-zero target without applying purchased offsets, we also estimated emissions from the 10% of non-renewable energy for which Seattle City Light purchases carbon offsets. Using the US grid average emissions factors to calculate a worst case scenario for supply side offset electricity we find Seattle City Light purchased offsets for ~41.4 metric tons CO2e emitted by The Northwest School during the 2018-2019 school year. Seattle City Light did not respond to requests for more detailed information on their offset purchasing.
The Best Approach
The previous inventory by Jena Utaski implicitly applied a market-based approach to claim zero scope 2 emissions. The market-based emissions approach reflects consumer choice in electricity supplier and provides an incentive to organizations to send a market signal to support renewable energy generation. The actual flow of electricity on the grid is more complex and a market-based approach does not necessarily represent the actual emissions produced through energy consumption by an organization. The location-based approach uses regional grid averages to include fossil fuel resources dispatched to maintain renewable resources and reflects the cumulative effect of the choices of energy providers in the Northwest region. For The Northwest School, a market-based approach is likely the best fit; however, it may de-incentivize energy efficiency improvements that support sustainable practices. A location-based accounting approach makes a strong argument that energy efficiency improvements matter and that on site solar investment could deliver relatively significant emissions reductions. The market-based approach reflects the choice to support renewable energy purchasing by Seattle City Light. Both approaches should be applied to future inventories, but purchasing offsets for electricity emissions when The Northwest School already pays for renewable energy makes little sense. For more information on scope 2 emissions accounting please visit the WRI scope 2 guidance page.
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