Scope 1, 2, 3 Emissions Explained
The GHG Protocol categorizes corporate emissions into three scopes to ensure comprehensive carbon accounting. Understanding these categories is essential for accurate measurement, reporting, and reduction strategies.
Scope 1: Direct Emissions
Emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by your organization.
Examples Include:
- Company vehicles and fleet operations
- On-site fuel combustion (generators, boilers)
- Fugitive emissions from refrigeration and AC systems
- Manufacturing process emissions
Why it matters: Scope 1 emissions are directly controlled by your organization, making them the easiest to measure and often the first target for reduction initiatives.
Scope 2: Indirect Energy Emissions
Emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling.
Examples Include:
- Purchased electricity for offices and facilities
- District heating and cooling systems
- Purchased steam for industrial processes
Why it matters: While you don't directly produce these emissions, you can control them through energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy procurement.
Scope 3: Value Chain Emissions
All other indirect emissions in your value chain (often the largest category).
15 Categories Include:
Why it matters: Scope 3 often represents 70-90% of a company's total carbon footprint. While harder to measure, it's crucial for comprehensive climate action.
How ZeroCarbon Tech Helps
Our platform automates the complex process of measuring emissions across all three scopes:
- Automated Data Collection: Connect existing data sources or upload documents for instant calculation.
- Verified Emission Factors: Industry-specific factors aligned with GHG Protocol standards.
- Confidence Scoring: Transparent accuracy ratings show which data is verified vs. estimated.
- Compliance Reports: Generate audit-ready reports for BRSR, CDP, and other frameworks.
Important Disclaimer
This guide provides general information about emission scopes under the GHG Protocol. Actual measurements involve complex methodologies and assumptions. ZeroCarbon Tech provides estimates based on available data and industry standards. For regulatory compliance, we recommend working with certified carbon accounting professionals. Our platform includes confidence scoring to help you understand the accuracy of each calculation.
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