Emissions accounted for in this category are released during the generation processes of the electricity your organisation purchases. The use of that electricity can vary, for example, from operating general office appliances to fuelling electric vehicles (both fully electric vehicles/BEV and hybrid vehicles/PHEV).
There are five Purchased Electricity calculation methods to choose from:
Electricity consumption uses your electricity consumption or your electric vehicle consumption. (This calculation method is recommended for both facility electricity consumption and electric vehicle electricity consumption as it provides the most accurate results).
Electric vehicles: Distance driven | Average electricity consumption uses the average electricity consumption of your electric vehicles and the distance driven. Only applicable for electric vehicle data.
Electric vehicles: Distance uses distance driven and vehicle type (e.g. van, truck, motorcycle, bike, car) as well as fuel type (i.e. electricity). Only applicable for electric vehicle data.
Electric vehicles: Distance and mass transported uses distance driven and vehicle type (e.g. van, truck) as well as mass transported. This calculation method is suited for data related to the transportation of goods. Only applicable for company-operated electric vehicle data.
Bring Your Own Emissions allows you to upload your own pre-calculated emissions to the Plan A platform. For more information, see here.
To get the most accurate emissions calculations for hybrid vehicles (PHEV) you still need to review and potentially calculate Mobile combustion emissions based on fuel consumed.
Step-by-step: Format Actual electricity consumption data (Recommended)
Step-by-step: Format Actual electricity consumption data (Recommended)
There are several ways to enter your data. Regardless of which method you choose, you must include all required information to ensure accurate emissions calculations. Below, we’ve listed the key data points you need to include. The column order doesn't matter as long as all required data is included.
Column A: start_date
The first date of your data period.
The suggested date format is YYYY-MM-DD, but check the Accepted Formats article to see a full list of formats you can use.
This field is mandatory.
Column B: end_date
The last date of your data period. It can be the same as the start date if you are entering data for just one day.
The suggested date format is YYYY-MM-DD, but check the Accepted Formats article to see a full list of formats you can use.
This field is mandatory.
Column C: location
The ISO-3166 alpha-2 code of the country where the purchased electricity has been consumed (e.g., DE).
If your facility is located in a state within the United States of America, you can enter a state-specific country code in the location column. For example, for a facility located in New York, the code is US-NY. See the full list of codes here.
This field is mandatory.
Column D: facility_name
The facility that the respective emissions should be allocated to.
Make sure to apply exactly the same names you set here to all the other templates asking for a "facility_name" input.
Column E: value
Electricity consumption of your facility, appliances and/or electric vehicles in the selected units.
Numbers should be formatted using numeric values only and using a dot as the decimal separator (e.g. 25634.20).
This field is mandatory.
Column F: value.unit
Select the units for electricity consumption:
kWh (kilowatt hour)
MWh (megawatt hour)
GJ (gigajoule)
toe (tonne of oil equivalent)
This field is mandatory
Column G: contractual_instrument
Entering a contractual instrument clarifies your energy use, environmental impact, and helps determine the relevant location- and market-based emissions. This information is also essential for CSRD reporting.
Choose from:
renewable energy certificate
on-site renewable
supplier specific emission factor
N/A (if none of these apply)
This field is mandatory.
Column H: source_of_energy
The 'source of energy' field indicates how your energy was generated.
Choose from:
fossil
renewable
nuclear
unknown
This field is mandatory.
Only select 'renewable' if you have a contractual instrument (i.e. renewable energy certificate, on-site renewable, or supplier specific emission factor).
Column I: fuel_mix
If 'fossil' is selected in the source_of_energy column, you can further break down the type of fossil fuel used.
Choose from:
natural gas
coal and coal products
crude oil and petroleum products
other fossil fuels
This column is optional.
Column J: market_based_emission_factor
Please enter the market-based emission factor provided by your energy supplier in gCO2e/kWh.
The input should be formatted with a dot as the decimal separator (e.g., 0.45).
If your energy consumption is split among multiple energy sources, apply the market-based emission factor to all relevant rows for that period.
Only enter a market-based emission factor if you have a supplier-specific emission factor. You should leave this field blank if you do not have a market-based emission factor.
According to the GHG Protocol, both market-based and location-based emissions must be reported under Scope 2.
If you have selected N/A as a contractual_instrument, the system will default to residual mix (if available) or location-based calculations for market-based emissions.
Optional tags
As always, you can add optional columns for company specific tags.
In the example below, the custom tag for "Source" has been included.
Learn more about how tags work: Tag Your Data.
Step-by-step: Format BYOE
Step-by-step: Format BYOE
There are several ways to enter your data. Regardless of which method you choose, you must include all required information to ensure accurate emissions calculations. Below, we’ve listed the key data points you need to include. The column order doesn't matter as long as all required data is included.
Column A: start_date
The first day of your data period.
The suggested date format is YYYY-MM-DD, but check the Accepted Formats article to see a full list of formats you can use.
This field is mandatory.
Column B: end_date
The last day of your data period. It can be the same as the start date if you are entering data for just one day.
The suggested date format is YYYY-MM-DD, but check the Accepted Formats article to see a full list of formats you can use.
This field is mandatory.
Column C: location
The ISO-3166 alpha-2 code of the country where the emissions occurred (e.g., DE).
This field is mandatory.
Column D: facility_name
The facility that the respective emissions should be allocated to.
Make sure to apply exactly the same names you set here to all the other templates asking for a "facility_name" input.
Column E: value
Your own emissions in kg CO₂e.
Numbers should be formatted using numeric values only and using a dot as the decimal separator (e.g. 25634.20).
This field is mandatory.
Column F: calculation_approach
In this field you can indicate if the emissions you are bringing to the Plan A platform were calculated using location-based or market-based approach. If you have emissions data using both approaches please ensure the time range, location and facility inputs are the same across both rows.
If market-based emissions are not provided, the system will default to showing location-based emissions for both market-based and location-based emissions.
If location-based emissions are not provided, the system will use National Average data to calculate your location-based emissions.
This field is mandatory.
Optional tags
As always, you can add optional columns for company specific tags.
Learn more about how tags work: Tag Your Data.
Reminder: It is not Plan A’s responsibility to ensure the calculation of those 3rd parties are in accordance with the GHG Protocol. There is no verification or validation of BOYE emissions through Plan A.
Please note that when Bring Your Own Emissions is used to upload Purchased Electricity data, the Plan A Sustainability Platform cannot automatically calculate emissions for Fuel- and Energy-Related Activities (Scope 3). If you use Bring Your Emissions for this category, you will, therefore, also need to do the same for Fuel- and Energy-Related Activities.
Step-by-step: Upload Electric vehicles: Distance driven | Average electricity consumption
Step-by-step: Upload Electric vehicles: Distance driven | Average electricity consumption
There are several ways to enter your data. Regardless of which method you choose, you must include all required information to ensure accurate emissions calculations. Below, we’ve listed the key data points you need to include. The column order doesn't matter as long as all required data is included.
Column A: start_date
The first day of your data period.
The suggested date format is YYYY-MM-DD, but check the Accepted Formats article to see a full list of formats you can use.
This field is mandatory.
Column B: end_date
The last day of your data period.
The suggested date format is YYYY-MM-DD, but check the Accepted Formats article to see a full list of formats you can use.
It can be the same as the start date if you are entering data for just one day.
This field is mandatory.
Column C: location
The ISO-3166 alpha-2 code of the country where the purchased electricity has been consumed (e.g., DE).
If your facility is located in a state within the United States of America, you can enter a state-specific country code in the location column. For example, for a facility located in New York, the code is US-NY. See the full list of codes here.
This field is mandatory.
Column D: facility_name
The facility that the respective emissions should be allocated to.
Make sure to apply exactly the same names you set in ‘Organisational Data’.
Column E: value
Distance driven: the distance driven in the selected unit by the electric vehicle (BEVs, PHEVs) in the give time period.
Numbers should be formatted using numeric values only and using a dot as the decimal separator (e.g. 25634.20).
This field is mandatory.
Column F: value.unit
Select the unit for distance driven:
km (kilometre)
mi (mile)
This field is mandatory.
Column G: vehicle_efficiency
Average electricity consumptions: Provide the average electricity consumption of your electric vehicles (BEVs, PHEVs) in the selected efficiency metric.
Format: Numbers using periods as decimal separators.
This field is mandatory.
Column H: vehicle_efficiency.unit
Select the units for the vehicle efficiency:
kWh/100km (kilowatt-hour per 100km)
mi/kWh (miles per kilowatt-hour)
km/GJ (kilometres per Gigajoule)
This field is mandatory.
Column I: contractual_instrument
Entering a contractual instrument clarifies your energy use, environmental impact, and helps determine the relevant location- and market-based emissions. This information is also essential for CSRD reporting.
Choose from:
renewable energy certificate
on-site renewable
supplier specific emission factor
N/A (if none of these apply)
This field is mandatory.
Column J: source_of_energy
The 'source of energy' field indicates how your energy was generated.
Choose from:
fossil
renewable
nuclear
unknown
This field is mandatory.
Only select 'renewable' if you have a contractual instrument (i.e. renewable energy certificate, on-site renewable, or supplier specific emission factor).
Column K: fuel_mix
If 'fossil' is selected in the source_of_energy column, you can further break down the type of fossil fuel used.
Choose from:
natural gas
coal and coal products
crude oil and petroleum products
other fossil fuels
This column is optional.
Column L: market_based_emission_factor
Please enter the market-based emission factor provided by your energy supplier in gCO2e/kWh.
The input should be formatted with a dot as the decimal separator (e.g., 0.45).
If your energy consumption is split among multiple energy sources, apply the market-based emission factor to all relevant rows for that period.
Only enter a market-based emission factor if you have a supplier-specific emission factor. You should leave this field blank if you do not have a market-based emission factor.
According to the GHG Protocol, both market-based and location-based emissions must be reported under Scope 2.
If you have selected N/A as a contractual_instrument, the system will default to residual mix (if available) or location-based calculations for market-based emissions.
Optional tags
As always, you can add optional columns for company specific tags.
Learn more about how tags work: Tag Your Data.
Step-by-step: Upload Electric vehicles: Distance
Step-by-step: Upload Electric vehicles: Distance
There are several ways to enter your data. Regardless of which method you choose, you must include all required information to ensure accurate emissions calculations. Below, we’ve listed the key data points you need to include. The column order doesn't matter as long as all required data is included.
Column A: start_date
The first day of your data period.
The suggested date format is YYYY-MM-DD, but check the Accepted Formats article to see a full list of formats you can use.
This field is mandatory.
Column B: end_date
The last day of your data period.
The suggested date format is YYYY-MM-DD, but check the Accepted Formats article to see a full list of formats you can use.
It can be the same as the start date if you are entering data for just one day.
This field is mandatory.
Column C: location
The ISO-3166 alpha-2 code of the country where the purchased electricity has been consumed (e.g., DE).
If your facility is located in a state within the United States of America, you can enter a state-specific country code in the location column. For example, for a facility located in New York, the code is US-NY. See the full list of codes here.
This field is mandatory.
Column D: facility_name
The facility that the respective emissions should be allocated to.
Make sure to apply exactly the same names you set in ‘Organisational Data’.
Column E: value
Distance driven: the distance driven in the selected units by the electric vehicle (BEVs, PHEVs).
Numbers should be formatted using numeric values only and using a dot as the decimal separator (e.g. 25634.20).
This field is mandatory.
Column F: value.unit
Select the unit for distance driven:
km (kilometre)
mi (mile)
This field is mandatory.
Column G: fuel_type
The type of fuel used.
As you are documenting emissions from electric vehicles please select ‘electricity’ as your fuel type.
This field is mandatory.
Column H: vehicle_type
The type of electric vehicle used.
Choose from:
van
truck
motorcycle
bike
car
Note: The vehicle type "van" corresponds to Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV), "truck" to Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV).
This field is mandatory.
Column I: contractual_instrument
Entering a contractual instrument clarifies your energy use, environmental impact, and helps determine the relevant location- and market-based emissions. This information is also essential for CSRD reporting.
Choose from:
renewable energy certificate
on-site renewable
supplier specific emission factor
N/A (if none of these apply)
This field is mandatory.
Column J: source_of_energy
The 'source of energy' field indicates how your energy was generated.
Choose from:
fossil
renewable
nuclear
unknown
This field is mandatory.
Only select 'renewable' if you have a contractual instrument (i.e. renewable energy certificate, on-site renewable, or supplier specific emission factor).
Column K: fuel_mix
If 'fossil' is selected in the source_of_energy column, you can further break down the type of fossil fuel used.
Choose from:
natural gas
coal and coal products
crude oil and petroleum products
other fossil fuels
This column is optional.
Column L: market_based_emission_factor
Please enter the market-based emission factor provided by your energy supplier in gCO2e/kWh.
The input should be formatted with a dot as the decimal separator (e.g., 0.45).
If your energy consumption is split among multiple energy sources, apply the market-based emission factor to all relevant rows for that period.
Only enter a market-based emission factor if you have a supplier-specific emission factor. You should leave this field blank if you do not have a market-based emission factor.
According to the GHG Protocol, both market-based and location-based emissions must be reported under Scope 2.
If you have selected N/A as a contractual_instrument, the system will default to residual mix (if available) or location-based calculations for market-based emissions.
Optional tags
As always, you can add optional columns for company specific tags.
Learn more about how tags work: Tag Your Data.
Step-by-step: Upload Electric vehicles: Distance and mass transported
Step-by-step: Upload Electric vehicles: Distance and mass transported
There are several ways to enter your data. Regardless of which method you choose, you must include all required information to ensure accurate emissions calculations. Below, we’ve listed the key data points you need to include. The column order doesn't matter as long as all required data is included.
Column A: start_date
The first day of your data period.
The suggested date format is YYYY-MM-DD, but check the Accepted Formats article to see a full list of formats you can use.
This field is mandatory.
Column B: end_date
The last day of your data period.
The suggested date format is YYYY-MM-DD, but check the Accepted Formats article to see a full list of formats you can use.
It can be the same as the start date if you are entering data for just one day.
This field is mandatory.
Column C: location
The ISO-3166 alpha-2 code of the country where the purchased electricity has been consumed (e.g., DE).
If your facility is located in a state within the United States of America, you can enter a state-specific country code in the location column. For example, for a facility located in New York, the code is US-NY. See the full list of codes here.
This field is mandatory.
Column D: facility_name
The facility that the respective emissions should be allocated to.
Make sure to apply exactly the same names you set in ‘Organisational Data’.
Column E: value
Distance driven: the distance driven by the electric vehicle (BEVs, PHEVs).
Numbers should be formatted using numeric values only and using a dot as the decimal separator (e.g. 25634.20).
This field is mandatory.
Column F: value.unit
Select the unit for distance driven:
km (kilometre)
mi (mile)
This field is mandatory.
Column G: fuel_type
The type of fuel used.
As you are documenting emissions from electric vehicles please select ‘electricity’ as your fuel type.
This field is mandatory.
Column H: vehicle_type
The type of electric vehicle used.
Choose from:
van
truck
Note: The vehicle type "van" corresponds to Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV), "truck" to Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV).
This field is mandatory.
Column I: mass
The mass transported in the selected units for the indicated timeframe.
Numbers should be formatted using numeric values only and using a dot as the decimal separator (e.g. 25634.20).
This field is mandatory.
Column J: mass.unit
Select the unit for mass transported:
kg (kilogram)
lb (pound)
t (metric tonne = 1000 kgs)
ton (short ton = 2000 lbs)
This field is mandatory.
Column K: contractual_instrument
Entering a contractual instrument clarifies your energy use, environmental impact, and helps determine the relevant location- and market-based emissions. This information is also essential for CSRD reporting.
Choose from:
renewable energy certificate
on-site renewable
supplier specific emission factor
N/A (if none of these apply)
This field is mandatory.
Column L: source_of_energy
The 'source of energy' field indicates how your energy was generated.
Choose from:
fossil
renewable
nuclear
unknown
This field is mandatory.
Only select 'renewable' if you have a contractual instrument (i.e. renewable energy certificate, on-site renewable, or supplier specific emission factor).
Column M: fuel_mix
If 'fossil' is selected in the source_of_energy column, you can further break down the type of fossil fuel used.
Choose from:
natural gas
coal and coal products
crude oil and petroleum products
other fossil fuels
This column is optional.
Column N: market_based_emission_factor
Please enter the market-based emission factor provided by your energy supplier in gCO2e/kWh.
The input should be formatted with a dot as the decimal separator (e.g., 0.45).
If your energy consumption is split among multiple energy sources, apply the market-based emission factor to all relevant rows for that period.
Only enter a market-based emission factor if you have a supplier-specific emission factor. You should leave this field blank if you do not have a market-based emission factor.
According to the GHG Protocol, both market-based and location-based emissions must be reported under Scope 2.
If you have selected N/A as a contractual_instrument, the system will default to residual mix (if available) or location-based calculations for market-based emissions.
Optional tags
As always, you can add optional columns for company specific tags.
Learn more about how tags work: Tag Your Data.