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Energy intensity (G4-EN5-a) Methodology

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In 2018, the GRI G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines were superseded by the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI standards). This is the methodology for G4-EN5 which has been superseded by GRI 302-3 - the current GRI 302-3 metric can be found here. 

About

​​This metric is based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 Guidelines. It covers one of the requirements of Indicator G4-EN5 - 'Energy intensity' 

wherein companies are encouraged to report the energy intensity ratio.

The intensity ratio defines an organization’s energy consumption in the context of an organization-specific metric. Intensity is calculated by dividing the absolute energy consumption (the numerator) by an organization-specific metric (the denominator).

Energy intensity expresses the energy required per unit of activity, output, or any other organization-specific metric. Intensity ratios are often referred to as normalized environmental impact data. Intensity ratios may include:

  • Product intensity (such as energy consumed per unit produced)
  • Service intensity (such as energy consumed per function or per service)
  • Sales intensity (such as energy consumed per monetary unit of sales)
In combination with an organization’s total energy consumption, reported in Indicators G4-EN3 and G4-EN4, energy intensity helps to contextualize the organization’s efficiency, including in relation to other organizations.

Methodology

​​This metric is looking for energy intensity:

For WikiRate researchers:

Companies who align reports to GRI’s Sustainability Reporting Standards often include a GRI Content Index or Annex where GRI disclosures, with GRI codes, are listed.

  • Use the GRI Index, CTRL F, Command F or search button on source preview to search for this index and metrics within the report

  • Use G4 codes, G3 codes or keywords to quickly find values, keeping in mind that some companies report on the metric using different terms, e.g. G4-EN5, EN5 or energy intensity

  • Always check the metric question and methodology for the unit of measure or currency - researchers may need to carry out calculations or conversions before entering the final metric value

  • Add comments documenting exactly where within the source you found the information (page number) and include details of simple or complex calculations or conversions made to determine the metric value

  • If you are unable to locate a metric value in a source you can search for additional sources where the data is available and add a new source

Further guidance on how to research values for GRI-based metrics is available here, including detailed guidance on adding, editing and checking metric values.

Global Reporting Initiative compliance guidance for companies:

To calculate the ratio of energy intensity - G4-EN5-a:

  • Intensity is calculated by dividing the absolute energy consumption (the numerator) by the organization-specific metric (the denominator).

  • Select an appropriate ratio denominator to represent the per-unit output, activity, or any other organization-specific metric.

  • Organizations may report several energy intensity ratios where this aids transparency or comparability.

Organizations may report the intensity of energy consumed within the organization or outside of it. If the ratio is calculated both for the energy consumed within the organization and outside of it, present such ratios separately.

Reporting on this Indicator should include the following contextual information as a comment to the metric value:

  • G4-EN5-b: Report the organization-specific metric (the ratio denominator) chosen to calculate the ratio.​

  • G4-EN5-c: Report the types of energy included in the intensity ratio: fuel, electricity, heating, cooling, steam, or all.​

  • G4-EN5-d: Report whether the ratio uses energy consumed within the organization, outside of it or both.