How new carbon accounting rules might impact corporate emissions reporting

As WRI progresses with the review of the current Scope 2 accounting standard, this report is the first ever to examine how global businesses procuring 100% renewable energy following these guidelines might not be reaching zero emissions if new rules are applied.

Did you know?

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The respondents in this study might be reporting less than half of their emissions using the current Scope 2 accounting principles compared to what would be reported using a more granular approach with more stringent time and location origin requirements.

‍42% of the respondents who claim zero market-based emissions using the current Scope 2 guidelines have not signed any electricity supply contract that can meet more granular requirements.

These findings do not discredit current commitments made by organizations. Achievements so far have helped develop a community of corporate energy buyers, enabling direct contracting of over 76,9 GW of clean energy capacity worldwide between 2010 and 2020. Instead, they provide insights on the impact that future guideline changes might entail for companies.

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