Fuel consumption from renewable sources G4 EN3 b Methodology

In 2018, the GRI G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines were superseded by the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI standards). This is the methodology for G4-EN3-e which has been superseded by GRI 302-1-b - the current GRI 302-1-e metric can be found here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-EN3 - 'Energy consumption within the organization'.

Energy consumption has a direct effect on operational costs and can increase exposure to fluctuations in energy supply and prices. The environmental footprint of an organization is shaped in part by its choice of energy sources. Changes in the balance of these sources can indicate the organization’s efforts to minimize its environmental impacts.

Renewable energy sources are energy sources that are capable of being replenished in a short time through ecological cycles. These include:

  • Geothermal

  • Wind

  • Solar

  • Hydro

  • Biomass

The consumption of purchased electricity, heating, cooling, and steam contributes to an organization’s energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions, which are reported in Indicator G4-EN16.

Methodology

This metric is looking for the total amount of fuel consumption from renewable sources in gigajoules that the company is responsible for?

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-EN3 or EN3, fuel consumption or renewable sources

  • 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 total fuel consumption from non-renewable sources (in gigajoules) - G4-EN3-b:

  • ​Identify the types of energy (fuel, electricity, heating, cooling, and steam) consumed within the organization.

  • Identify the amount of energy (fuel, electricity, heating, cooling, and steam) consumed within the organization, in joules or multiples.

  • When reporting self-generated energy consumption, the organizations does not double-count fuel consumption. For example, if an organization generates electricity from coal and then consumes the generated electricity, the energy consumption is counted once under the fuel consumption.

  • Energy may be purchased from sources external to the organization or produced by the organization itself (self-generated). Only energy consumed by entities owned or controlled by the organization is expected to be reported in this Indicator.

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

  • G4-EN3-f: ​Standards, methodologies, and assumptions used.

  • G4-EN3-g:​ The source of the conversion factors used.