The electricity emissions factor is the link between electricity sector and carbon emissions. At present, China uses electricity emissions factors in five application scenarios: greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory compilation, national and local statistical accounting, sector and enterprise accounting, product carbon footprint accounting, and voluntary emissions reduction accounting. This paper introduces the development history and current situation of five application scenarios, and introduces the current use of electricity emissions factors. Based on the global and China's emissions reduction trends, this paper raises four principles, and puts forward short-, medium- and long-term policy suggestions for the development of electricity emissions factors.