Breaking Down Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 Emissions

How organizations can do their part 

Organizations, consumers and investors are increasingly scrutinizing sustainability programs and looking for companies to rise to the challenge of reducing their impact on the environment. To become more sustainable, companies should start by understanding their current situation and start monitoring carbon emissions. To start, companies must classify their carbon footprint in three scopes.

Scope 1 Emissions: Direct Greenhouse (GHG) Emissions

Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from company-owned and controlled resources. In other words, emissions released into the atmosphere as a direct result of a set of activities at a firm level.

Scope 2 Emissions: Indirect Greenhouse (GHG) Emissions

Scope 2 emissions are indirect GHG emissions associated with the purchase of electricity, steam, heat, or cooling. Although the CO2e emissions result from an organisation’s activities, they occur at sources it doesn’t own or control.

Scope 3 Emissions: All Indirect Emissions