Energy Attribute Certificates are an effective instrument to reduce reported market-based Scope 2 emissions from purchased electricity, heating and cooling.
9 December 2025
As the year draws to a close, organisations face mounting pressure to demonstrate measurable reductions in operational emissions. Energy Attribute Certificates (known by different names in various geographies, such as REGOs, GOs, REC, iRECs, etc) offer a practical, streamlined solution for decarbonising electricity consumption without costly infrastructure changes.
For businesses managing complex portfolios, EACs provide a best practice approach to reducing reported Scope 2 emissions while aligning with global standards such as the GHG Protocol, CSRD, and RE100.
Electricity cannot be labelled as renewable once it enters the grid. EACs bridge this gap by tracking each megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable electricity from generation to consumption. Purchasing EACs transfers the environmental attributes of renewable energy to your organisation, enabling verifiable claims such as “100% renewable electricity.” Without EACs, such claims lack credibility and risk reputational damage.
EACs are issued when renewable electricity enters the grid and are cancelled when a consumer claims them. They can be bundled with electricity or purchased separately (unbundled). Each certificate includes key attributes: production date, location, technology type, and device age. These details ensure traceability and compliance with standards. For global portfolios, systems such as Guarantees of Origin (Europe), RECs (North America), and iRECs (international markets) provide flexibility across diverse geographies.
Many organisations aim to close their annual carbon accounts with strong performance against Scope 2 reduction targets. EACs allow businesses to achieve market-based zero emissions for electricity consumption, ensuring compliance with voluntary initiatives and mandatory frameworks. Securing EACs before year-end enables companies to report progress and communicate achievements to stakeholders confidently.
Beyond compliance, EACs accelerate the global energy transition. By creating demand for renewable energy projects, EACs reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute indirectly to biodiversity protection by promoting a cleaner, lower-carbon grid. Procurement strategies that prioritise local EAC sourcing amplify these benefits by driving regional decarbonisation and supporting community-level renewable investments.
Discover how Anthesis can support your organisation with EACs and help you embed them within your decarbonisation strategy.
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