C6. Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Code 8.0

Participants shall establish and report against an absolute corporate-wide greenhouse gas reduction goal. Energy consumption and all Scopes 1, 2, and significant categories of Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions shall be tracked, documented, and publicly reported. Participants shall look for methods to improve energy efficiency and to minimize their energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Elements to Demonstrate Compliance to RBA Code

1. Foundation

If responsibility for Green House Gas emissions is at the Corporate-level then a Corporate-level implementation should exist which includes:

• a. Documented corporate policy.
• b. Documented corporate processes and controls.
• c. Assigned responsibility
• d. Proof of implementation
  • i. Facility level implementation for Scope 1 and 2
  • ii. Significant categories of scope 3 GHG are determined through a materiality or similar process, documented and up-to-date
  • iii. Significant categories of scope 3 GHG are tracked, documented, and up-to-date
  • iv. Significant scope 3 categories must at least include category 1 (purchased goods and services)
• e. Absolute corporate-wide reduction target and performance are publicly reported at least annually

If there is no Corporate-level implementation, then there should be a full Facility-level implementation.

2. Policy

Ensure the facility environmental policy includes energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions elements including:

• a. Energy consumption and all Scopes 1, 2, and significant categories of Scope 3 Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are tracked, documented, and publicly reported, at least annually, against an absolute corporate-wide GHG reduction goal. (corporate level) or reported publicly against an absolute facility target (facility level)

3. Procedures & Practices

Procedures & Practices are in place such that: (facility level)

• a. Scope 1 and 2 comprehend / include:
  • i. Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas emissions are documented, consumption recorded and accurate by source and with a description of its boundary.
  • ii. The sources of electricity and other energy are documented, consumption recorded and accurate by source.
  • iii. On-site combustion: oil, coal, diesel, burning of waste, natural gas, propane, garbage, etc. are included.
  • iv. Renewable energy use – if the facility purchases renewable energy through their utility company.
  • v. Significant leakage of refrigerants (from HVAC units or other refrigeration equipment), or other GHG-generating production processes (CFCs and HFCs from solvents and foams, for example).
• b. Scope 3 comprehends / includes:
  • i. Significant Scope 3 GHG categories are determined through a materiality or similar process, documented and up to date.
  • ii. Amounts of significant Scope 3 categories are tracked, documented, and up to date.
• c. Significant Scope 3 categories must at least include Category 1 (purchased goods and services) and the assessment for significance and materiality should align with the GHG Protocol Scope 3 Standard, which provides criteria to identify relevant Scope 3 activities:
  • i. Size
  • ii. Influence
  • iii. Risk
  • iv. Stakeholders
  • v. Outsourcing
  • vi. Sector guidance
• d. Publicly report of corporate-wide GHG footprint includes:
  • i. Total Scopes 1 & 2 and relevant Scope 3 as a quantitative value of total emissions.
  • ii. A percentage (e.g., "90% of last year's emissions") is unacceptable.
  • iii. The value shall represent annual emissions.
• e. The absolute reduction goal must include:
  • i. Scopes and categories covered.
  • ii. Boundaries
  • iii. Base year and target year
  • iv. Target value and target type

Example: Our target to reduce the absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions from our global operations by 25,000 metric tons CO2e by 2030, compared to 2020, representing a 25 percent reduction

4. Controls & Monitoring

Controls & Monitoring should include:

• a. Process and administrative controls are in place and effective.
• b. Ensure that there is no significant energy consumption or GHG emissions at the facility that are not tracked and recorded.
• c. Engineering controls are used where appropriate.
• d. GHG engineering control examples
  • i. Building automation technology, programmable thermostats, lighting controls, or energy-efficient heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation technology.
  • ii. Use of on-site combustion or vehicles that are fuel efficient or use a less GHG-intensive source (e.g., natural gas, ethanol).
  • iii. Purchasing or installing on-site renewable energy.
  • iv. Use of highly efficient systems to absorb/treat cleaning agents.
  • v. Use of refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP) in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems.

5. Records

Records are maintained including:

• a. Copies of records of the total quantity of fuel combusted on-site (or easily extrapolated from fuel bills and other purchased fuel records)
• b. Purchased energy, electricity, steam, heating, and cooling records.
• c. Current and historic Scope 1, 2 and significant categories of Scope 3 data with calculations with associated assumptions

1.1.0 (2025-04-01)

Changed

• Policy reporting scope expanded for corporate vs facility level: Policy section now distinguishes between corporate-level reporting (against absolute corporate-wide target) and facility-level reporting (against absolute facility target).

Added

• Added corporate-level GHG implementation foundation section: New Foundation section establishing corporate-level GHG implementation requirements including documented policy, processes, assigned responsibility, proof of implementation for Scope 1/2/3, and public reporting of absolute reduction targets. Facility-level implementation applies when no corporate program exists.

1.0.0 (2024-01-01)

Changed

• Initial release for RBA Code of Conduct 8.0: Comprehensive criterion covering energy consumption tracking, GHG emissions reporting (Scope 1, 2, 3), reduction targets, and energy efficiency aligned with GHG Protocol, ISO 14064, ISO 50001, and TCFD requirements.