Disclosure focus
Energy consumption outside the organization occurs in upstream and downstream activities associated with the organization’s operations. It is not defined solely by whether energy is consumed away from the organization’s physical sites. For example, energy used by an owned or controlled vehicle can fall within Disclosure 302-1 even when the vehicle operates off-site.
When compiling the disclosure, exclude all energy consumption reported under Disclosure 302-1. Assess potential upstream and downstream activities systematically using documented relevance criteria, including their contribution to anticipated energy consumption, reduction potential, climate-related risks, stakeholder relevance, outsourcing and sector significance.
GRI recommends listing energy consumption with a breakdown by upstream and downstream categories and activities. The categories can be aligned with the GHG Protocol Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard.
Activity data used for Scope 3 calculations can support the disclosure, but GRI 302-2 reports energy rather than GHG emissions. Use energy-content or activity-to-energy conversion factors and report the result in joules or multiples, not tonnes of CO₂e.
This LRA educational guidance supports disclosure preparation. For the exact requirements, always refer to the official Global Reporting Initiative source.
Prepare
What to collect before drafting
Tick each field as the evidence lands. Owners are the teams that usually hold the source files.
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GRI 302-1 reconciliation
Sustainability / EnergyEnergy streams excluded because they are already reported within the organization.
Evidence GRI 302-1 workbook and boundary mapping.
Watch for The published response for gri 302-1 reconciliation is incomplete or does not match the supporting records.
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Upstream and downstream screening
Sustainability ReportingFull assessment of potential value-chain categories and activities.
Evidence Category screening and significance assessment.
Watch for The published response for upstream and downstream screening is incomplete or does not match the supporting records.
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External energy consumption
Category data ownersEnergy in GJ/TJ for each included activity and the consolidated total.
Evidence Supplier records, models and source data.
Watch for The published response for external energy consumption is incomplete or does not match the supporting records.
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Value-chain category
Sustainability ReportingApplicable upstream or downstream category.
Evidence GHG Protocol category mapping.
Watch for The published response for value-chain category is incomplete or does not match the supporting records.
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Relevance criteria
Sustainability / RiskWhy an activity is included or excluded.
Evidence Significance methodology and approval record.
Watch for The published response for relevance criteria is incomplete or does not match the supporting records.
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Activity data
Procurement / Logistics / Product teamsDistance, fuel, electricity, production, sales, use-phase or treatment data.
Evidence Operational system exports.
Watch for The published response for activity data is incomplete or does not match the supporting records.
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Primary or estimated data
Data ownersData-quality classification and primary-data coverage.
Evidence Supplier files and estimation register.
Watch for The published response for primary or estimated data is incomplete or does not match the supporting records.
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Calculation method
Data Analytics / SustainabilityMethod, assumptions, allocation and calculation tool.
Evidence Methodology document and model.
Watch for The published response for calculation method is incomplete or does not match the supporting records.
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Conversion factors
Sustainability / EnergyEnergy factors, source, version and period.
Evidence Factor library and official sources.
Watch for The published response for conversion factors is incomplete or does not match the supporting records.
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Category total
Sustainability ReportingEnergy consumption by upstream or downstream category.
Evidence Calculation workbook.
Watch for The published response for category total is incomplete or does not match the supporting records.
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Consolidated total
Sustainability ReportingTotal energy consumption outside the organization.
Evidence Category reconciliation.
Watch for The published response for consolidated total is incomplete or does not match the supporting records.
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Renewable/non-renewable split
Energy / SuppliersOptional under GRI 302-2; useful for transition to GRI 103.
Evidence Energy-source classification.
Watch for The published response for renewable/non-renewable split is incomplete or does not match the supporting records.
Before you start
- Disclosure 302-2 requires an organization to report energy consumption outside the organization in joules or multiples, together with the standards, methodologies, assumptions and calculation tools used and the sources of the conversion factors.
- Apply Disclosure 302-2 when the related topic is material and this disclosure is relevant to the organisation's impacts, or when an applicable GRI Sector Standard identifies it for reporting.
- Have the supporting records and the final response been reconciled?
How to prepare it
Request the data
Request the disclosure evidence
Translate the disclosure into an internal business question — then adapt it to your organisation's own language.
Provide the reporting-period records and reconciliations for Disclosure 302-2: GRI 302-1 reconciliation; Upstream and downstream screening; External energy consumption; Value-chain category; Relevance criteria; Activity data; Primary or estimated data; Calculation method; Conversion factors; Category total; Consolidated total; Renewable/non-renewable split. Include scope, definitions, methods, assumptions, limitations, owners and approvals.
Use the organisation's own role and document names, but preserve the defined GRI terms and the scope described above.
Better request
Provide the reporting-period records and reconciliations for Disclosure 302-2: GRI 302-1 reconciliation; Upstream and downstream screening; External energy consumption; Value-chain category; Relevance criteria; Activity data; Primary or estimated data; Calculation method; Conversion factors; Category total; Consolidated total; Renewable/non-renewable split. Include scope, definitions, methods, assumptions, limitations, owners and approvals.
Draft your disclosure
Notes that turn data into a disclosure
LRA training templates — adapt them to your organisation, and check the official source before sign-off.
Method note
Activity data used for Scope 3 calculations can support the disclosure, but GRI 302-2 reports energy rather than GHG emissions. Use energy-content or activity-to-energy conversion factors and report the result in joules or multiples, not tonnes of CO₂e.
Context note
Keep mandatory Requirements, GRI recommendations and additional LRA preparation controls clearly distinguished. Use a GRI 1 reason for omission where an applicable requirement cannot be reported.
Download Centre
Preparation tools & forms
Download preparation tools for GRI 302-2 with free verified email access for 24 hours. Source-report links remain public.
Check
For each claim, check the evidence
GRI 302-1 reconciliation is reported accurately and completely.
Risk The response omits, misclassifies or overstates gri 302-1 reconciliation.
Evidence to check GRI 302-1 workbook and boundary mapping.
Upstream and downstream screening is reported accurately and completely.
Risk The response omits, misclassifies or overstates upstream and downstream screening.
Evidence to check Category screening and significance assessment.
External energy consumption is reported accurately and completely.
Risk The response omits, misclassifies or overstates external energy consumption.
Evidence to check Supplier records, models and source data.
Value-chain category is reported accurately and completely.
Risk The response omits, misclassifies or overstates value-chain category.
Evidence to check GHG Protocol category mapping.
Relevance criteria is reported accurately and completely.
Risk The response omits, misclassifies or overstates relevance criteria.
Evidence to check Significance methodology and approval record.
Activity data is reported accurately and completely.
Risk The response omits, misclassifies or overstates activity data.
Evidence to check Operational system exports.
Primary or estimated data is reported accurately and completely.
Risk The response omits, misclassifies or overstates primary or estimated data.
Evidence to check Supplier files and estimation register.
Calculation method is reported accurately and completely.
Risk The response omits, misclassifies or overstates calculation method.
Evidence to check Methodology document and model.
Conversion factors is reported accurately and completely.
Risk The response omits, misclassifies or overstates conversion factors.
Evidence to check Factor library and official sources.
Category total is reported accurately and completely.
Risk The response omits, misclassifies or overstates category total.
Evidence to check Calculation workbook.
Consolidated total is reported accurately and completely.
Risk The response omits, misclassifies or overstates consolidated total.
Evidence to check Category reconciliation.
Renewable/non-renewable split is reported accurately and completely.
Risk The response omits, misclassifies or overstates renewable/non-renewable split.
Evidence to check Energy-source classification.
Evidence pack to prepare
Common reporting gaps
- Reporting Scope 3 GHG emissions instead of energy consumption outside the organisation.
- Defining outside the organisation only by physical location.
- Using internal labels in place of the defined GRI terms.
- Leaving a required preparation field unsupported by traceable evidence.
- Treating GRI recommendations as mandatory requirements or mandatory requirements as optional.
- Publishing estimates, exclusions or partial scope without methods, assumptions and the applicable reason for omission.
Real reports
How 3 companies report it
Examples of full and partial reporting practice. These are evidence-led reviews, not exact disclosure templates to copy.
Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais - CEMIG
PartialSQM / Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile
PartialAbertis
Partial| Field | Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais - CEMIG | SQM / Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile | Abertis |
|---|---|---|---|
| External energy use | Not found | Not found | Not found |
| Calculation basis | Not found | Not found | Not found |
| Conversion factor source | Not found | Not found | Not found |
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Advice, not assurance
Framework references
Relevant GRI requirements and related disclosures
GRI
GRI 302-2
within GRI 302: Energy
Guides that settle this question
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