Cambio's platform calculates energy, then derives emissions and intensity metrics from those calculations. Calculations are based on available metered, reported, or modeled data and standardized emission factors. Where data is incomplete, Cambio applies its estimation methodology. No manual adjustments are applied unless explicitly stated.
GHG emissions are calculated using the formula: GHG Emissions (tCO₂e) = Activity Data (energy consumed, in standardised units) × Emission Factor (tCO₂e per unit of energy). Where utility data is reported in non-standard units (e.g., therms, CCF, gallons, pounds of steam, ton-hours), Cambio applies standardised unit conversion factors to normalise activity data into the units required by the applicable emission factor prior to calculation. Emission factors are sourced from government-published or recognised authoritative sources, matched to the consumption year wherever possible, and reviewed annually against source-specific cutoff dates.
All Global Warming Potential (GWP) values apply the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5, 2014) 100-year time horizon, consistent with the GHG Protocol and the GWP values embedded in Cambio’s primary Scope 1 source (EPA ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager): CO₂ = 1, CH₄ = 28, N₂O = 265. These GWP values are applied consistently across all scopes and all emission factor sources. Cambio acknowledges that the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6, 2021) publishes updated GWP values; AR5 is retained for consistency with the GWP basis embedded in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and other primary emission factor sources, and this election is reviewed annually and revisited when those sources adopt AR6.
Scope 2 emissions are reported using both location-based and market-based approaches where applicable. Where offsite renewable energy instruments have been added in the platform, market-based emissions will be calculated using those instruments; otherwise, location-based emission factors will be used. These instruments are only applied when a property has actual meter data. No estimated meter data is considered. In order to apply offsite renewable energy instruments, the following information must be included: type, start and end date, coverage type, coverage amount, owner type and meter allocation scope.
Emission Factor Sources
The following tables document the emission factor sources applied to client portfolios for the reporting year. Cambio maintains an extensive library of emission and conversion factors beyond those listed here, and can accommodate additional geographies or client-specific requirements where a reputable published source is provided by the client or identified by Cambio. Cambio applies the most recent published edition of each source available at the time of calculation, matched to the consumption year where publication schedules allow, and reviews all sources annually. Client-specific geographies and factor elections are documented as part of the tailored client engagement.
Location-Based Emission Factor Sources:
Geography | Energy Type & Source |
Australia | Electricity (grid): Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), National Greenhouse Accounts Factors, applied at the regional (state/territory) level |
European Union (Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France) | Electricity (grid): European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), GHG Emission Factors for Electricity Consumption |
United Kingdom | Electricity (grid): UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Greenhouse Gas Reporting: Conversion Factors |
Japan | Electricity (grid), fuels (natural gas, diesel, fuel oil, propane), district energy (hot water, steam, chilled water): Japan Ministry of the Environment (MOE), referenced via the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) |
United States | Electricity (grid): U.S. EPA eGRID, applied at the eGRID subregion level matched to property zip code |
Global (all geographies) | Fuels (natural gas) and district energy (hot water, chilled water): U.S. EPA / ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Technical Reference |
Canada | Electricity (grid) and fuels: Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), National Inventory Report emission factors |
South Korea | Electricity (grid): Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Research Center of Korea (GIR) |
Market-Based Emission Factor Sources:
Geography | Source |
United States | Green-e®, Residual Mix Emission Rates, applied at the eGRID subregion level |
European Union (Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France) | Association of Issuing Bodies (AIB), Residual Mix Factors |
United Kingdom | Association of Issuing Bodies (AIB), Residual Mix Factors |
Australia | Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), National Greenhouse Accounts Factors, applied at the national level |
Emission Factor Update Policy
Treatment of CH4 and N2O in Market-Based Emission Factors
For US market-based calculations, CO2e is constructed from CO2 (Green-e Adjusted System Mix) combined with CH4 and N2O (eGRID subregion factors) using IPCC AR5 GWPs (CH4=28, N2O=265).
For EU and UK market-based calculations, Cambio uses AIB European Residual Mix CO2 Direct values and applies a small, conservative fixed supplement (5 gCO2e/kWh) to account for CH4 and N2O, which AIB no longer publishes separately. This treatment is consistent with established carbon accounting practice. Supporting derivation is available on request.
For Australian market-based calculations, DCCEEW National Greenhouse Accounts Factors publish full CO2e values inclusive of CH4 and N2O. No supplemental factors are required.
We also apply year-match and complete an annual review of emission sources:
Year-Matching Rule: Cambio applies the emission factor edition that corresponds to the year energy was consumed, wherever source publication schedules allow. When a matching edition is not yet available, the most recently published edition is applied as a temporary fallback. This is consistent with EPA guidance and standard GHG Protocol practice.
Annual Review: Emission factor sources are reviewed annually.
Restatement Policy: Cambio reviews historical figures when a new emission factor edition is published. Prior-year figures are restated only if the change from the updated edition shifts total reported emissions by more than 5% (materiality threshold). Changes below this threshold are documented as reviewed but not restated. When restatement is warranted, the client is notified before any change is applied in the platform, and a before-and-after comparison showing original figures, revised figures, the absolute and percentage change, and the reason for the restatement is provided. This process reflects routine methodology maintenance and is not an error correction unless a data error is the identified trigger.
Emission Calculation Allocations
Scope 1 | Cambio’s platform calculates Scope 1 emissions at the property level in landlord controlled areas (direct emissions from fuel combustion or other on-site sources) using available metered, reported, or modeled data and standardized emission factors. |
Scope 2 - Location-based | Cambio’s platform calculates indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heating, or cooling in landlord-controlled areas using average grid emission factors for the property's location using available metered, reported, or modeled data. |
Scope 2 - Market-based | Cambio’s platform uses market-based methodology where electricity covered by landlord-procured renewable instruments is assigned the appropriate market-based emissions factor for that instrument, while uncovered electricity uses residual carbon factor or location-based factor. The calculation replaces location-based electricity emissions in Scope 2 with market-based electricity emissions. The platform tracks both solar and wind energy generated and consumed by the building, as well as energy generated and exported back to the grid.
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Scope 3 | Cambio’s calculation includes electricity, fuels, or district energy consumed by tenants in spaces not controlled by the landlord (e.g., tenant units). Where properties lack complete data coverage for tenant-controlled areas, Cambio estimates the missing consumption data. |
Scope 3 - Category 13 | Cambio’s platform calculates emissions associated with tenant-controlled areas (downstream leased assets) using available metered, reported, or modeled data and standardized emission factors. Includes electricity, fuels, or district energy consumed by tenants in leasable units not under landlord operational control.
Where properties have actual meter data and where tenants retain the associated renewable energy attributes either from tenant-purchased or landlord-purchased renewable energy attributes, electricity consumption is assigned a zero emission factor; where attributes are not retained, applicable grid emission factors are applied. Renewable energy attributes are applied to actual metered consumption only and never to estimated consumption; no manual adjustments are made to metered values. Missing tenant energy data is otherwise estimated in accordance with Cambio’s estimation methodology.
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Total Emissions - Location Based | Cambio takes the sum of Scope 1, Scope 2 (location-based), and Scope 3 emissions for the property during the reporting period. |
Total Emissions - Market Based | Cambio takes the sum of Scope 1, Scope 2 (market-based), and Scope 3 emissions for the property during the specified reporting period.
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Carbon Intensity - Location Based | Cambio takes total location-based emissions (tCO₂e) divided by total building area (square feet and square meters depending on chosen unit of measure). Cambio calculates annualized carbon intensity per month then provides a simple average over a given period. Area includes all spaces with a meter assigned as of the end date selected, and all active units when estimation is enabled. On-site solar and wind generation consumed on site carries zero emissions and is therefore not assigned grid emission factors. |
Carbon Intensity - Market Based | Cambio takes total market-based emissions (tCO₂e) divided by total building area (square feet). Cambio calculates annualized carbon intensity per month then provides a simple average over a given period. Square footage includes all units with a meter assigned as of the end date selected. On-site solar and wind generation consumed by the building is tracked where metered or estimated, conditional on being identified at the property during onboarding, and is reported at zero emissions under the market-based method where the associated renewable attributes are retained (residual mix factor where they are sold), consistent with the Scope 2 market-based treatment above. Energy exported back to the grid is recorded separately and is not counted as consumption or netted against reported emissions. |
Carbon Offsets and Removals
Carbon offsets and removals are not applied to reduce reported gross emissions in this inventory. Gross Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions are reported separately from any offsetting instruments. Where a client purchases and retires carbon offset certificates, these are documented in the client addendum and may be disclosed as a separate line item; they are never netted against gross emissions. Renewable energy instruments (e.g., RECs, PPAs, green tariffs) are treated under the market-based Scope 2 methodology described in this document and are distinct from offsets.