CO2 emission scopes are categories defined to classify and manage the various sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with an organization’s activities. These scopes are established by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which provides a standardized framework for measuring and managing GHG emissions.
The three scopes are:
Scope 1: Direct Emissions
Scope 1 emissions are direct GHG emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the organization. These include:
- Fuel Combustion: Emissions from burning fossil fuels in company-owned or controlled assets such as boilers, furnaces, vehicles, and machinery.
- Process Emissions: Emissions released during industrial processes, such as chemical production, cement manufacturing, and steelmaking.
- Fugitive Emissions: Emissions that are not released through a confined air stream, such as leaks from equipment and refrigerants.
Scope 2: Indirect Emissions from Energy
Scope 2 emissions are indirect GHG emissions from the consumption of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling. Although these emissions occur at the facilities where the energy is generated, they are attributed to the organization that uses the energy.
- Purchased Electricity: Emissions from the generation of electricity purchased and consumed by the organization.
- Purchased Steam, Heating, and Cooling: Emissions from the generation of steam, heating, or cooling purchased and consumed by the organization.
Scope 3: Other Indirect Emissions
Scope 3 emissions are all other indirect emissions that occur in the value chain of the reporting company, both upstream and downstream. These are not owned or directly controlled by the organization but are a consequence of its activities. Scope 3 emissions are often the largest share of an organization’s total GHG emissions. They include:
- Purchased Goods and Services: Emissions from the production of goods and services that the organization purchases.
- Capital Goods: Emissions associated with the production of capital assets such as buildings, machinery, and vehicles.
- Fuel- and Energy-Related Activities: Emissions related to the production of fuels and energy purchased by the organization that are not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2.
- Transportation and Distribution: Emissions from the transportation and distribution of goods, both upstream (supplier to organization) and downstream (organization to customer).
- Waste Generated in Operations: Emissions from the disposal and treatment of waste generated by the organization’s operations.
- Business Travel: Emissions from employee business travel in vehicles not owned or controlled by the organization.
- Employee Commuting: Emissions from employees commuting to and from work.
- Leased Assets: Emissions from the operation of assets leased by the organization.
- Processing of Sold Products: Emissions from the processing of products sold by the organization.
- Use of Sold Products: Emissions from the use of products sold by the organization.
- End-of-Life Treatment of Sold Products: Emissions from the disposal and treatment of products sold by the organization.
- Franchises: Emissions from the operation of franchises.
- Investments: Emissions related to investments made by the organization.
Conclusion
Understanding and managing CO2 emission scopes is crucial for organizations aiming to reduce their carbon footprint and mitigate climate change. By categorizing emissions into Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3, organizations can better identify the sources of their emissions, develop strategies to reduce them, and track their progress over time. This comprehensive approach is essential for achieving sustainability goals and improving environmental performance.
