This metric is based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standard Guidelines. 

GRI 302 addresses the topic of energy. An organization can consume energy in various forms, such as fuel, electricity, heating, cooling or steam. Energy can be self-generated or purchased from external sources and it can come from renewable sources (such as wind, hydro or solar) or from non-renewable sources (such as coal, petroleum or natural gas).

Using energy more efficiently and opting for renewable energy sources is essential for combating climate change and for lowering an organization’s overall environmental footprint. The disclosures in this Standard can provide information about an organization’s impacts related to energy, and how it manages them.

Energy reduction - amount of energy no longer used or needed to carry out the same processes or tasks

Conservation and efficiency initiatives - organizational or technological modification that allows a defined process or task to be carried out using less energy

In 2018, the GRI G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines were superseded by the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI standards). For this metric, the code G4-EN6 is used in company reporting prior to 2018, and the new GRI 302-4 code used in reporting from 2018 onwards. The methodology for the former G4 standard for this metric can be found here.