For businesses trying to reduce their overall carbon footprint, electricity is only part of the equation. Many facilities—especially in industrial, healthcare, and institutional sectors—also rely on natural gas for heating, boilers, or manufacturing processes.
EFECs (Emission-Free Energy Certificates) are typically used to offset electricity-related emissions (Scope 2), but can they also help with natural gas-related carbon emissions?

Energy is no longer just a cost—it’s a carbon risk, a brand signal, and an ESG performance metric. For businesses aiming to decarbonize quickly and affordably, Emission-Free Energy Certificates (EFECs) offer a strategic advantage.
In this post, we’ll explore why EFECs are more than just a green solution—they’re a smart investment in your company’s financial, environmental, and reputational future.

If your organization is working toward decarbonization, one of the first places to start is Scope 2 emissions—the indirect emissions from the electricity, heating, and cooling you purchase.
While Scope 1 emissions (from owned vehicles or combustion on-site) are highly specific to operations, and Scope 3 (value chain emissions) can be hard to control, Scope 2 is measurable, reportable, and actionable.

As companies accelerate their decarbonization efforts, clean energy procurement tools have moved to the center of the conversation. Two common certificate-based options—EFECs and RECs—can both help organizations reduce Scope 2 emissions. But they work differently, support different types of generation, and carry unique strategic implications.

Every year, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, the Global Footprint Network
announces Earth Overshoot Day, the date when humanity’s demand for ecological
resources and services exceeds what the planet can regenerate in that year.

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore—it’s a boardroom imperative. As organizations face increasing pressure from regulators, customers, and investors to reduce carbon emissions, businesses are looking for energy solutions that are reliable, cost-effective, and ESG-compliant.
One powerful and underutilized tool is the Emission-Free Energy Certificate (EFEC).