Understanding Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions
If you’re starting to think about your organisation’s carbon footprint, it’s likely you’ve come across Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
To benchmark where your business stands, you’ll need to measure its carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions and compile the data into a report for comparison against previous baselines and agreed reduction targets.
The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol is one universally recognised standard, which also provides carbon-reporting guidance, tools, and training for organisations. Under the protocol, Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions) are classified as Scope 1, 2, or 3.
As your partner in carbon-reduction strategy, we’ve defined here exactly what each scope is and how you can best start reducing them.
Scope 1
Direct emissions from activities owned or controlled by your organisation
that release emissions straight into the atmosphere.
Examples of Scope 1 emissions include:
- Fuel combustion from vehicles, boilers, and other stationary sources
- Fugitive emissions from industrial processes, such as leaks from equipment and pipelines
- Process emissions from chemical reactions, such as the production of cement or steel
Scope 2
Emissions released into the atmosphere associated with your consumption of
electricity, heat and cooling. While these emissions occur outside your boundaries, you’re still indirectly responsible for them by buying and using the energy.
Examples of Scope 2 emissions include:
- Purchased electricity
- Purchased steam
- Purchased heating
- Purchased cooling
Scope 3
Emissions resulting from any activities that you don’t own or control. Despite these emissions taking place outside of your premises, they’re still linked to your activities and how carbon is consumed across your supply chain.
Scope 3 emissions are the most complex to measure and manage, as they typically involve a range of activities and stakeholders. They often make up the largest share of an organisation’s carbon footprint, presenting both challenges and opportunities.
Examples include:
- Purchased goods and services
- Transportation and distribution
- Waste disposal
- Business travel and employee commuting
- Leased assets
- Investments
Why are Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions important?
Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions provide a comprehensive view of an organisation's GHG footprint. This benchmarked overview is becoming increasingly essential to reassure stakeholders, and to unite investors, customers, employees and suppliers in making sustainability-minded decisions and acting to reduce emissions.
How to reduce your emissions
There are several ways to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the most common include:
Scope 1 emissions
- Reducing fuel consumption
- Investing in renewable energy
- Capturing and using fugitive emissions (leaks and other abnormal releases of gases or vapours)
Scope 2 emissions
- Using more efficient energy sources
- Purchasing renewable energy
- Improving energy efficiency
- Investing in on-site renewable energy generation
Scope 3 emissions
- Working with suppliers to reduce their emissions
- Choosing more sustainable transportation and distribution options
- Reducing waste
- Encouraging employees to reduce their commute emissions
Implementing these can help your organisation reduce its GHG footprint, mitigate climate change, and save money on energy costs.
Acting to reduce emissions isn’t enough on its own. You’ll also need to be logging and tracking them to understand the impact they’re having on your organisation’s carbon footprint. Carbon reporting software such as our Pulse Net Zero platform makes it easy to monitor and document your carbon-reduction journey.
Understanding the types of emissions and their sources is key to developing effective strategies for reducing your organisation’s overall carbon footprint and working towards your net zero goal. Not sure where to start? Backed by more than 100 years of energy expertise, our team of Net Zero Analysts and Consultant Engineers provides expert energy advice. Just ask.
Want to know more about how carbon reporting can help your organisation to thrive? Download your free guide here.