Electricity Emissions Insights #1: Regional vs. national electricity data insights - how to reduce emissions with accurate data.

Most companies calculate their electricity footprint based on annual averages provided by their energy distributors, using country-level carbon data. However, this generalization fails to capture the real environmental impact of electricity being consumed. The use of granular data—i.e. of local values—provides a more precise and accurate representation of the emissions associated with electricity generation and consumption in the specific region(s) where companies operate.

Fluctuations in emissions can be as high as 10x between regions of the same country, or even within the same region at different times. For instance, in January 2025, we could see how Zürich had a 2.2x higher carbon footprint (from electricity consumption) compared to Valais. When we zoom in, as shown below, we can see Zürich had an electricity footprint 8x higher than in Valais for 3 hours in a row. This insight can be smartly used by companies operating in real-time in Valais to bring their overall footprint down and save operational costs.

Before diving into why regional data give more transparency than national values, let’s break down the basics.

What is the “electricity footprint” and why is it important for companies to reduce it?

The electricity footprint refers to the total environmental emissions associated with the production or consumption of electricity. In other words, it represents the equivalent CO? emissions produced every time a company consumes electricity. This footprint varies based on several factors, such as the electricity source utilized (e.g. solar, wind, nuclear, etc), the geographical location, the weather conditions, and the time of day. For example, in 2024, a company based in Zürich had a 2x higher electricity carbon footprint profile than another company in Valais.

By understanding their electricity footprint, companies can gain insights into how electricity usage contributes to their overall carbon emissions released into the environment and make data-driven decisions to reduce them.

Common methods for tracking electricity footprint and why national-level data has traditionally been used.

Historically, companies have relied on national annual averages to measure their electricity footprint, regardless of the region in which they operate. These national averages are based on annual electricity emissions that fail to capture potential variations throughout the year and across different regions within a country.

Why has this become the norm??

Some years ago, electricity production was primarily based on fossil fuels, and therefore, there was little variation in the type of energy production across regions. However, nowadays, different regions can have differences in the energy mix they use.

Production was also centralized, with most electricity production coming from a limited number of sources. With the increased penetration of renewable energy, this has changed. Energy production is now more decentralized and highly variable, often influenced by weather conditions.

To illustrate the importance of using regional carbon data when measuring a company’s electricity footprint, let’s consider two scenarios:

Scenario 1: Comparing two Swiss regions (Valais and Zürich) with the national values during the same period

In this scenario, two companies operate in different regions of Switzerland—Valais and Zürich—and aim to simultaneously trace the impact of their electricity consumption. If both companies rely on the commonly used national average values, they would report identical emissions. However, this is not the real picture. The company operating in Valais has an electricity footprint more than three times lower than the reported national average, while Zürich's footprint is three times higher than the annual average.

By using region-specific electricity data points, both companies can accurately report their real environmental impact and gain a better understanding of their real electricity footprint. On top of that, the company operating in Valais can take advantage of the real-time data insights to lower their real footprint and reduce operational costs.

Scenario 2: Comparing one region (e.g. Valais) across two different days

In this scenario, a company operating in Valais compares its electricity footprint on two days in a row. Using the national average value, the reported footprint remains static, failing to show the actual changes in emissions. However, by using local electricity data insights for real-time operations, the company can reduce its overall footprint, bringing operational costs down.?

These examples demonstrate how relying on national annual averages can impact the true environmental footprint of a company. Using granular, regional data allows companies to accurately measure their footprint and identify opportunities for reducing their emissions and operational costs.

How Emissium Can Help

Emissium provides regional data for over 2,000 locations, all around Europe. We empower companies to move beyond outdated national averages by delivering precise, region-specific electricity data, in real-time. You can access granular information about electricity emissions in the exact regions where your company operates, with accuracy down to 15-minute intervals.

This level of detail not only helps you precisely track your electricity footprint but also enables you to make data-driven decisions to reduce your environmental impact and enhance the credibility of your sustainability reporting—all while aligning with European climate goals and saving costs.

Interested in having the most accurate electricity data insights in the market? Schedule a call today to have early access to our data.