What Are Scope 1, 2 & 3 Emissions And How Can You Manage Them [Carbon 101 Series]

We live in a global economy. Ammonia produced in Australia is shipped to China… it’s used to develop fertilizer that is sent to Brazil… end products are sent to farmers and agribusiness across Brazil and South America…

When it comes to goods and services, this exciting level of connectivity blurs lines between nation borders. Although this comes with advantages, it also makes solving issues such as climate change and supply-chain emissions a global problem — therefore, measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions requires an international, standardized system so that governments, industries, and corporations can take a uniform approach to emissions measurement and reduction.

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol outlines a comprehensive method for measuring and reporting GHG emissions throughout an agency’s entire supply-chain. Emissions are divided into three broad categories: Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions.

Scope 1 Emissions — Direct Emissions

Scope 1 emissions are produced directly within the boundary of your company facilities either from operations done on-site or using company-owned equipment. This can include activity from on-site fuel-burning, emissions from company vehicles, or emission leakages from operating a refrigeration system. Any emissions produced from resources owned or controlled by your company contribute to Scope 1 emissions.

Scope 1 emissions fall into four categories:

1. stationary combustion — emissions released from equipment that burns carbon-based fuels to generate heat. This includes emissions from equipment such as boilers, furnaces, ovens, and dryers.

2. mobile combustion — emissions from driving traditional internal combustion engine vehicles owned by the company.

3. fugitive emissions — emissions that unintentionally escape or leak from pressurized equipment, such as pipes, storage tanks, or compressors.

4. process emissions — emissions produced as a result or byproduct of chemical processes, such as CO2 emissions from steel smelting or cement manufacturing.

Since Scope 1 emissions are under your direct control, they can be effectively reduced by implementing energy-efficiency measures such as smart lighting and thermostats, heat recovery systems, or other energy-conservation techniques. Under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Act of 2007, companies are required to report their Scope 1 emissions.

Scope 2 Emissions — Emissions From Purchased Energy

Scope 2 emissions are indirect GHG emissions produced during the production of purchased energy. The energy can be used to provide electricity, deliver process steam, or heat and cool your facility. The power you use at your facility — whether it be to turn on the lights or control indoor temperature — is generated from somewhere else. When this power is purchased from a third party generator, such as a utility, then the emissions from that power generation contribute to your Scope 2 emissions.

For instance, the emissions produced at a natural gas plant when providing electricity to your business would count as your Scope 2 emissions. Of course, your Scope 2 emissions would be that natural gas plant’s Scope 1 emissions.

To lower Scope 2 emissions, consider alternative options that generate power from clean energy sources. In addition, examine ways to improve your own company’s energy efficiency. Doing so will lower your energy demand and consequently reduce the amount of power you need to pull from outside sources.

Similar to Scope 1, Scope 2 emissions must be reported under the NGER scheme.

Scope 3 Emissions — Emissions Along Wider Supply Chain

Scope 3 emissions are GHG emissions generated throughout your company’s supply chain but that come from sources that are not controlled or owned by your company. Scope 3 emissions look at the wider impact of upstream and downstream activity as it relates to the products and services your company provides. This may include emissions from extraction and production of raw materials, the end uses of products produced, the end-of-life product processing, or even the fuel emissions from employee commuting.

Because they come from a wider economy perspective, Scope 3 emissions can be the most difficult to control and can also be the greatest contributor to overall GHG emissions. For example, when Kraft Foods measured emissions across its entire supply chain, it found that 90% of total GHG emissions came from Scope 3 emissions.

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol describes 15 different activity types that make up Scope 3 emissions. Addressing these emissions requires transparent communication between constituents along the supply chain as well as a holistic understanding of the full product life-cycle of produced goods. Solutions may include incorporating more recycled material into your products, using less material in packaging, or even incentivizing employees to commute or travel less for work.

Scope 3 emissions are not reported under the NGER scheme, yet understanding them is a critical way to measure and create an effective plan to mitigate your company’s emissions across the wider economy. Understanding your scope 3 emissions also enables you to better understand your exposure to risks in a de-carbonising world

Measure your GHG Emissions now

Climate change impacts all of us. And it’s going to take all of us to drive solutions that steer us towards a healthier, more sustainable economy. To lower your emissions, establish effective programs, and implement the most impactful technologies, it is critical to measure and understand your GHG emissions. Identifying Scope 1, 2, & 3 emissions under the GHG Protocol will paint a comprehensive assessment of your company’s emissions. From there, we can develop a plan to lower emissions in a way that benefits the environment and your business’ bottom line.

We all have a role to play in decarbonizing Australia and creating a thriving economy. At Northmore Gordon, we are deeply involved in energy and carbon management, and we are here to help you assess your emissions and navigate a plan that works well for the longevity of your business and our community. We provide the support you need so that you can make the impact our state deserves.

Reach out today to measure your GHG emissions and get started on a practical mitigation plan.