As the world grapples with the urgent need to address climate change, understanding and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions has become a critical global priority. To effectively manage emissions, organisations follow a framework that categorises them into three distinct scopes: Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3. These scopes help businesses and institutions measure their carbon footprint and take meaningful steps towards reducing their environmental impact. In this article, we will explore the concept of greenhouse gas emissions and break down each scope to shed light on their significance.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Quick Overview

Before we delve into the three scopes of emissions, let’s begin with a brief understanding of what greenhouse gas emissions are. Greenhouse gases (GHGs), including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, release these gases into the atmosphere, intensifying the greenhouse effect.

Scope 1 Emissions: Direct Emissions

Scope 1 emissions encompass the direct emissions generated by an organisation or company. These emissions result from activities that are under the organisation’s operational control or ownership. Common examples of Scope 1 emissions include:

• On-Site Combustion: Emissions from burning fossil fuels on-site for heating, cooling, electricity generation, and manufacturing processes.
• Vehicle Emissions: Emissions from an organisation’s owned or leased vehicles, such as company cars and trucks.
• Chemical Reactions: Emissions from chemical processes that occur on-site, such as in industrial facilities.

In essence, Scope 1 emissions represent the carbon footprint directly associated with an organisation’s operations.

Scope 2 Emissions: Indirect Energy-Related Emissions

Scope 2 emissions involve the indirect emissions associated with the energy consumed by an organisation. These emissions occur outside the organisation’s boundaries but are a result of the energy it purchases for various purposes, such as heating, cooling, and powering buildings. Common examples of Scope 2 emissions include:

• Electricity Purchases: Emissions generated from the production of electricity that an organisation buys from external sources, like the grid.
• Steam Purchases: Emissions from purchased steam used in industrial processes or heating.
• Heating and Cooling Purchases: Emissions arising from the purchase of heat or cooling energy from external providers.

Scope 2 emissions are often seen as a consequence of an organisation’s energy consumption choices and can be influenced by transitioning to renewable energy sources or improving energy efficiency.

Scope 3 Emissions: Indirect Value Chain Emissions

Scope 3 emissions are the most comprehensive and challenging to quantify. These emissions encompass all indirect emissions along an organisation’s entire value chain, both upstream and downstream. In other words, Scope 3 emissions include the carbon footprint associated with the products and services an organisation buys from suppliers and the emissions generated by the use of its products by customers. Key examples of Scope 3 emissions include:

• Supply Chain Emissions: Emissions related to the production, transportation, and delivery of materials, products, and services used or sold by the organisation.
• Customer Use: Emissions arising from the use of the organisation’s products or services by its customers.
• End-of-Life Emissions: Emissions resulting from the disposal and end-of-life treatment of products and materials.

Understanding and addressing Scope 3 emissions often require collaboration and engagement across the entire supply chain, making it a complex yet essential aspect of corporate sustainability efforts.

Conclusion

In our collective efforts to combat climate change, comprehending greenhouse gas emissions is pivotal. The three scopes, namely Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3, provide a structured approach for organisations to assess their environmental impact comprehensively. By addressing emissions within these scopes, businesses and institutions can make informed decisions, set emission reduction targets, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet.