Clear answer, explained.
The GHG impact of energy audit recommendations depends on how much electricity is saved, which province the facility is in, and whether fuel-switching measures are included. Electricity savings reduce Scope 2 emissions — those from purchased electricity — at a rate determined by the provincial grid emission factor. Ontario's grid is relatively low-carbon (0.0634 kg CO₂e/kWh); Alberta's is significantly higher (0.55 kg CO₂e/kWh), meaning the same kWh saving delivers a larger GHG reduction in Alberta.
HVAC recommissioning, lighting retrofits, and controls optimisation reduce electricity consumption — each kWh saved translates directly to avoided grid emissions at the applicable provincial factor. Completed commercial projects have achieved GHG reductions of up to 38% through combined efficiency and solar generation measures.
For facilities with BEPS reporting obligations or ESG targets, the audit report documents the GHG baseline alongside the energy baseline — giving the sustainability team the starting point for emissions tracking and reduction reporting. Solar generation further reduces Scope 2 emissions by displacing grid purchases with zero-emission onsite generation.
What this means in practice.
- Ontario's grid emission factor is 0.0634 kg CO₂e/kWh — one of the lowest in Canada
- Alberta's grid factor is 0.55 kg CO₂e/kWh; Nova Scotia's is 0.68 — efficiency saves more GHG per kWh in these provinces
- Each 1,000 kWh saved in Ontario reduces GHG emissions by approximately 63.4 kg CO₂e
- Completed projects have achieved GHG reductions of up to 38% through combined efficiency and solar measures
- The audit report documents the GHG baseline alongside the energy baseline — supporting ESG and BEPS reporting
- Solar generation reduces Scope 2 emissions by displacing grid purchases with zero-emission onsite generation
Best-fit environments.
- Your facility has ESG reporting obligations and you need a documented GHG baseline and reduction roadmap
- You are subject to BEPS compliance and need to quantify GHG reduction alongside energy performance
- You are a sustainability manager preparing Scope 2 emission reduction targets for board approval
- You are evaluating whether efficiency or solar delivers the larger GHG reduction for your facility
