Scope 1,2, & 3 Emissions – The Quick and Dirty Guide
You’ve probably seen the terms Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 floating around sustainability reports. They sound technical – and they are – but I promise you can’t get a handle on the basics in about 3 minutes.
Let’s break it down:
Scope 1: Direct Emissions
These are emissions you produce directly – from fuel burned on-site or company-owned vehicles.
Think:
Diesel forklifts
Natural gas in manufacturing
On-site generators
Scope 2: Indirect Energy Emissions
These come from the energy you produce – like electricity, heating, or cooling.
Think:
Your electric bill
Purchased steam or chilled water
Utility-based emissions
Scope 3: Value Chain Emissions (aka. The BIG One)
This is the trickiest – and largest – category. Scope 3 includes all other indirect emissions across your value chain.
Think:
Raw material production
Transportation/logistics
Business travel
Product use and disposal
Even your suppliers’ emissions
Sara’s Straight Talk
Most companies nail Scope 1 and 2.
But Scope 3? That’s the beast.
In 2023, corporations reported that their Scope 3 supply chain emissions were, on average, 26 times greater than their emissions from direct operations (Scopes 1 and 2) – but it’s also where the biggest innovation opportunities lie. (Boston Consulting Group, 2024).
We’ve got tools to estimate and reduce Scope 3, even when supplier data is fuzzy. Don’t go it alone.
Drop your questions to me using #AskSustainableSara and I’ll tackle them in future posts.
Written by Sara Risley, Certification Officer, GreenCircle Certified
About Sustainable Sara
Sustainable Sara is GreenCircle Certified’s in-house Certification Officer – and your go-to source for navigating the complex world of sustainability claims, audits, and emissions reporting. She’s deeply knowledgeable, fiercely passionate about environmental integrity, and believes that every company – no matter the size – can make credible, verifiable sustainability progress.
