What Are
Scopes 1, 2, and 3?
In order to ensure carbon calculations are completed in the same way around the world, the Greenhouse Protocols were created, which split emissions into three scopes: Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3. These are detailed below. Currently, companies who are required to report emissions, only need to calculate Scope 1 and 2 emissions. However, in order to achieve Net Zero, Scope 3 emissions need to be accounted for, as they usually make up approximately 80% of a companies emissions.
Scope 1
Scope 1 relates to fuels burnt directly onsite, through the day to day running of the business. These include:
- Gases used in normal operations of the business e.g. welding gases, etc.
- Gases for heating systems
- Gases for air conditioning systems
- Mileage from company owned vehicles
Scope 2
Scope 2 relates to purchased electricity from the grid, for the running of the business. This is one of the easiest emissions to reduce, by switching to a Green Tarrif, where your supplier produces enough green energy to cover your annual usage.
Scope 3
Scope 3 includes all activities relating to the supply chain. It is split into 15 different groups covering all upstream and downstream processes of a business. These 15 sections are:
Upstream Emissions
- Section 1 - Purchased goods and services
- Section 2 - Capital goods
- Section 3 - Fuel/energy-related activities (not included in scope 1 or scope 2)
- Section 4 - Upstream transportation and distribution
- Section 5 - Waste generated in operations
- Section 6 - Business travel
- Section 7 - Staff commuting
- Section 8 - Upstream leased assets
Downstream Emissions
- Section 9 - Downstream transportation and distribution
- Section 10 - Processing of sold products
- Section 11 - Use of sold products
- Section 12 - End-of-life treatment of sold products
- Section 13 - Downstream leased assets
- Section 14 - Franchises
- Section 15 - Investments
If you would like any further information on any of these scopes, please feel free to contact us.