Emission factors of energy carriers

Energy efficiency requirements for buildings have long taken into account not only the amount of purchased energy (ostoenergia) consumed but also which energy carrier the building uses. In 2013, buildings began to be required to have an energy performance certificate (energiatodistus) and to have their E-value (E-luku) calculated using specific energy carrier factors (energiamuotokertoimet). From 2018 the energy carrier factors were revised, and now, for new buildings whose building permit application has been filed on or after 1.1.2026, the greenhouse gas emissions of energy consumption are calculated as an essential part of the climate report (ilmastoselvitys) using new emission factors for energy carriers. An energy consultant has been required to hold a qualification to prepare energy certificates.

Emission factors of energy carriers 2025 (based on 2024 information)

The emission factors of energy carriers are listed in the construction emissions database on the CO2data website. The emission estimates for energy carriers are given for the hundred-year period 2020-2120.

Emission factor, kg CO₂e / kWh
Year	District heating	Electricity	District cooling	Biofuels	Fossil fuels
2020	0.147	0.153	0.042	0.027	0.306
2030	0.114	0.089	0.026	0.027	0.306
2040	0.082	0.059	0.018	0.027	0.306
2050	0.054	0.045	0.013	0.027	0.306
2060	0.029	0.034	0.01	0.027	0.306
2070	0.021	0.022	0.007	0.027	0.306
2080	0.015	0.015	0.005	0.027	0.306
2090	0.011	0.01	0.003	0.027	0.306
2100	0.008	0.007	0.002	0.027	0.306
2110	0.006	0.005	0.001	0.027	0.306
2120	0.004	0.003	0.001	0.027	0.306

Values between the given years are interpolated linearly. For example, the scenario value for 2024 can be calculated by taking the 2020 value and adding to it one tenth of the difference between the given values (2030 value – 2020 value) multiplied by the number of years from the start of the given period (2024 – 2020 = 4). If the 2020 value is 0.153 and the 2030 value is 0.089, the 2024 value is 0.153 + (0.089 – 0.153) / 10 * (2024 – 2020) = 0.127.

Source: https://co2data.fi/rakentaminen/

Energy carrier factors 2018

The energy carrier factors that entered into force in 2018 replaced the 2013 factors. The factors for district heating, electricity and district cooling were lowered compared with before.

District heating	Electricity	District cooling	Renewable fuels	Fossil fuels
0.5	1.2	0.28	0.5	1

Source: https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2017/20170788 (in Finnish)

Energy carrier factors 2013

The original energy carrier factors entered into force in 2013. The energy carrier factor for district heating was 0.7, for electricity 1.7, for district cooling 0.4, for renewable fuels 0.5 and for fossil fuels 1.

District heating	Electricity	District cooling	Renewable fuels	Fossil fuels
0.7	1.7	0.4	0.5	1

Source: https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2013/20130009 (in Finnish)