CDP asks if our emissions change is location-based or market-based. Which do we pick?
Pick one. CDP compares only one Scope 2 figure for the year-on-year change, in line with the GHG Protocol, but you must say which. Choose a single option because a market-based figure can mix both methods. The question only appears if you reported a market-based figure in 7.3.
Two answers, two headline percentages
The same year can show a small fall on one basis and a big fall on the other. 7.10.2 tells the reader which basis your change figures in 7.10 and 7.10.1 use.
The options
- Location-based
- Market-based
- Don't know
How to choose
- Use the basis you can support over both years with documents: grid factor and kWh for location-based, certificates or contracts for market-based.
- Select one option only. CDP explains that a market-based figure can combine location-based and market-based calculations if some operations have contractual instruments and others do not.
- Use the same basis in 7.10 and 7.10.1.
- Keep the same basis next year so the comparison holds.
When the question does not appear
It is shown only if you answered increased, decreased or remained the same in 7.10 and selected a market-based figure in 7.3.
Example with made-up numbers
- Location-based Scope 2: 500 t last year, 480 t this year. Change: minus 4.0%.
- Market-based Scope 2: 400 t last year, 330 t this year (certificates bought). Change: minus 17.5%.
- Whichever you choose, state it in 7.10.2 and use it for every row of 7.10.1.
Example only.
What Senseible does here
Senseible reports Scope 2 on both bases where you give it the certificate or contract data, and shows which kWh each figure rests on.
Sources: CDP, Full Corporate Questionnaire, Module 7 reporting guidance (April 2025), question 7.10.2
Last reviewed 2026-11-03. CDP updates its questionnaire and guidance every year; check the current version before answering.