GHG Emission Factors Reference

Quick reference for Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emission factors per GHG Protocol

⚡ Scope 2: Purchased Electricity

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🔵 Location-Based Method

Reflects average emissions intensity of the physical grid where electricity is consumed.

  • Default method for Scope 2 reporting
  • Use when no contractual instruments exist
  • Required for dual reporting under GHG Protocol
Source: EPA eGRID (total output emission rates)

🟠 Market-Based Method

Reflects emissions from electricity purposefully chosen through contracts.

  • Use supplier-specific factors if available
  • RECs/PPAs: use contract emission factor (often zero)
  • No contracts: use residual mix as default
Source: Green-e Residual Mix (adjusted system mix)

🔥 Scope 1: Stationary Combustion

Fuel Type CO₂ Factor CH₄ Factor N₂O Factor Total CO₂e
Natural Gas 53.06 kg/MMBtu 1.0 g/MMBtu 0.10 g/MMBtu 53.11 kg/MMBtu
Calculation: CO₂e = CO₂ + (CH₄ × 28) + (N₂O × 265) using AR5 GWPs
53.06 + (0.001 × 28) + (0.0001 × 265) = 53.11 kg CO₂e/MMBtu

Source: EPA Emission Factors Hub (Jan 2025), Table 1 - Stationary Combustion
Coal Type Heat Content CO₂ Factor Total CO₂e
Anthracite 25.09 MMBtu/ton 103.69 kg/MMBtu 104.46 kg/MMBtu
Bituminous 24.93 MMBtu/ton 93.28 kg/MMBtu 94.01 kg/MMBtu
Sub-bituminous 17.25 MMBtu/ton 97.17 kg/MMBtu 97.91 kg/MMBtu
Lignite 14.21 MMBtu/ton 97.72 kg/MMBtu 98.46 kg/MMBtu
Mixed (Commercial) 21.39 MMBtu/ton 94.27 kg/MMBtu 95.00 kg/MMBtu
Mixed (Industrial) 22.35 MMBtu/ton 94.67 kg/MMBtu 95.41 kg/MMBtu
CH₄ & N₂O for all coal types: 11 g CH₄/MMBtu, 1.6 g N₂O/MMBtu
Adds 0.73 kg CO₂e/MMBtu to CO₂ factor for total CO₂e.

Source: EPA Emission Factors Hub (Jan 2025), Table 1
Fuel Type Heat Content CO₂ Factor Total CO₂e
Distillate Fuel Oil No. 1 0.139 MMBtu/gal 10.18 kg/gal 10.21 kg/gal
Distillate Fuel Oil No. 2
(Heating Oil / Diesel)		 0.138 MMBtu/gal 10.21 kg/gal 10.24 kg/gal
Distillate Fuel Oil No. 4 0.146 MMBtu/gal 10.96 kg/gal 10.99 kg/gal
Residual Fuel Oil No. 5 0.140 MMBtu/gal 10.21 kg/gal 10.24 kg/gal
Residual Fuel Oil No. 6
(Bunker C / Heavy Fuel Oil)		 0.150 MMBtu/gal 11.27 kg/gal 11.31 kg/gal
Kerosene 0.135 MMBtu/gal 10.15 kg/gal 10.18 kg/gal
CH₄ & N₂O for petroleum products: 3.0 g CH₄/MMBtu, 0.6 g N₂O/MMBtu
CO₂e includes ~0.03 kg/gal from CH₄ and N₂O.

Source: EPA Emission Factors Hub (Jan 2025), Table 1
Fuel Type Unit CO₂ Factor Total CO₂e
Propane (LPG) gallon 5.72 kg/gal 5.74 kg/gal
Propane Gas scf 0.155 kg/scf 0.157 kg/scf
Motor Gasoline gallon 8.78 kg/gal 8.81 kg/gal
Diesel Fuel gallon 10.21 kg/gal 10.24 kg/gal
Wood / Wood Residuals MMBtu 93.80 kg/MMBtu Biogenic*
*Biogenic CO₂: Emissions from biomass combustion are reported separately per GHG Protocol. The CO₂ is considered biogenic (carbon-neutral in the short carbon cycle), but CH₄ and N₂O should still be included in Scope 1 totals.

Source: EPA Emission Factors Hub (Jan 2025), Table 1

📊 Quick Reference: Common Factors

Fuel / Source Factor Unit Common Use Case
Natural Gas 53.11 kg CO₂e/MMBtu Boilers, furnaces, water heaters
Fuel Oil No. 2 10.24 kg CO₂e/gallon Heating oil, diesel generators
Fuel Oil No. 6 11.31 kg CO₂e/gallon Industrial boilers, ships
Propane (LPG) 5.74 kg CO₂e/gallon Heating, backup generators
Bituminous Coal 94.01 kg CO₂e/MMBtu Industrial processes
Purchased Steam 66.40 kg CO₂e/MMBtu District steam (assumes NG @ 80% eff.)

Data Sources: EPA eGRID (Map: 2021 data; Scope 1: 2023 data) • EPA Emission Factors Hub (Jan 2025) • Green-e Residual Mix (Dec 2024)

GWPs: IPCC AR5 (CH₄ = 28, N₂O = 265) • CO₂e includes CO₂ + CH₄ + N₂O