One of the key steps towards environmental sustainability is for organizations to identify and reduce their carbon footprints. The GHG Protocol defines different emission scopes, which are useful for classifying and managing different types of greenhouse gas emissions.

 

The term "scopes" in greenhouse gas emissions is like assigning roles in a big team project. It helps to know who does what:

 

Overview on Scopes

 

     • Scope 1 covers the company's direct actions that emit gases, such as driving cars and running facilities. These are emissions they can control and happen at their own sites.

     • Scope 2 includes the emissions from the electricity and steam the company uses, which others produce. The company can control its usage, but the emissions happen somewhere else.

     • Scope 3 involves all other emissions linked to the company's activities, such as bought goods, services, and business travel. These emissions happen in the supply chain and other indirect sources, where the company cannot control them directly.

Calling them "scopes" helps the team (or a company) see where they can change directly, where they need to cooperate with others, and how they can improve overall to be greener. It's about understanding all the different ways they add to emissions so they can handle and lower them effectively.

 

Scope	Direct Control	Company Location
Scope 1	Yes	Yes
Scope 2	Yes	No
Scope 3	No	No

 

Scope 1 Emissions: Direct Operational Impact

 

Scope 1 emissions are the greenhouse gases that an organization releases directly from its own activities. This includes using fossil fuels on-site, such as those from vehicles, equipment, and facilities that the company has.

 

Scope 2 Emissions: Indirect Operational Impact

 

Scope 2 emissions are greenhouse gases that come from the energy an organization buys and uses, such as electricity, heat, or steam. These emissions matter for sustainability goals as organizations switch to cleaner energy sources. Scope 2 differs from Scope 3 in how much control the organization has over the emissions. Scope 2 gives organizations some control to use less energy without changing their needs. For example, an office can save emissions by turning off lights during the day while still having enough light for normal work.

 

Scope 3 Emissions: The Indirect Impact

 

Scope 3 emissions are indirect emissions that happen outside an organization's own operations. They come from activities like buying goods and services, employee travel, and the whole lifecycle of products. For Scope 3 emissions, the organization has little control. For instance, when flying to a business meeting, the airline meets the travel need, and the choice depends on factors like timeslot and day. The organization cannot directly control the emissions created. Lower emission alternatives might exist, but they often need changing the need's parameters, such as duration and schedule.

 

We prefer choosing the options that emit less carbon, but sometimes this is the only thing we can do. Another option is to help suppliers lower their carbon emissions. Scope 3 needs more cooperation to reduce emissions, unlike Scope 2, where organizations can use less energy on their own.

 

Mitigating Emission

 

To lower the carbon emissions of an organization, a complex strategy is needed that covers each emission category:

 

1. Scope 1 Reduction Strategies:

 

     • Adopting technologies that save energy.

     • Using different fuel sources for company vehicles.

     • Optimizing operational performance to lower resource use.

 

2. Scope 2 Reduction Strategies:

 

     • Using technology and infrastructure improvements to enhance energy efficiency.

     • Signing power purchase agreements (PPAs) for clean energy.

     • Supporting renewable energy projects and initiatives.

 

3. Scope 3 Reduction Strategies:

 

     • Encouraging suppliers to adopt green practices.

     • Making products that are durable and recyclable.

     • Supporting employees to travel sustainably.

 

A complete sustainability strategy requires addressing all emission scopes. Organizations can act on each scope by increasing operational efficiency, using sustainable energy practices, or looking at the whole value chain.

 

Being environmentally responsible is an ongoing process. When organizations follow global sustainability goals, their actions have an impact not only on their operations but also on the wider communities and ecosystems they affect. Every step towards emission reduction is a step towards a more sustainable and resilient future.