What is the difference between Scopes 1, 2, and 3?

Scopes 1, 2, and 3 refer to the different categories of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. These scopes help organisations classify and measure their emissions to get a complete picture of their carbon footprint.

Scope 1: Direct Emissions

Scope 1 emissions come directly from sources owned or controlled by an organisation. These are on-site emissions from operations, facilities, or equipment.

Examples include:

• Fuel combustion in company-owned vehicles or machinery.
• On-site natural gas or oil consumption for heating or industrial processes.
• Emissions from on-site chemical reactions, such as manufacturing processes.

Scope 2: Indirect Emissions from Purchased Energy

Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy consumed by the organisation. While the emissions are produced at the power plant, they are considered the responsibility of the organisation that consumes the energy.

Examples include:

• Electricity, heating, and cooling purchased from utility companies.
• Emissions from power plants generating the electricity used by offices, factories, or retail locations.

Scope 3: Other Indirect Emissions

Scope 3 emissions include all other indirect emissions that occur in an organisation’s value chain, both upstream (before reaching the organisation) and downstream (after the product or service has been delivered). Scope 3 typically represents the largest portion of an organisation’s carbon footprint.

Examples include:

• Emissions from the production and transportation of goods and services purchased by the organisation.
• Employee commuting and business travel.
• Transportation and distribution of products to customers.
• The use and disposal of products sold by the organisation.