At 414 we're following the Greenhouse gas protocol to calculate emissions.
For more in-depth guidance, please visit the excellent resources available there. Below you will find an intro to GHG calculations and what different scopes mean.
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are categorized into three scopes by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, a widely used international accounting tool that helps businesses and governments track, report, and manage greenhouse gas emissions. Here’s a simple breakdown of each scope:
Scope 1: Direct Emissions
These emissions come directly from sources that are owned or controlled by the company. For example, if a company operates factories that burn fuel, the emissions from these factories are considered Scope 1. This also includes emissions from company-owned vehicles and facilities.
Scope 2: Indirect Emissions from Purchased Electricity
Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling consumed by the reporting company. Although these emissions occur at the facility where electricity is generated, they are considered indirect because they are a consequence of the company’s energy use, not directly emitted by the company’s own operations.
Scope 3: Other Indirect Emissions
This is the broadest category and includes all other indirect emissions that occur in a company’s value chain. This includes emissions related to the production of purchased goods and services, business travel, employee commuting, waste disposal, use of sold products, and other activities not owned or directly controlled by the company. Scope 3 can often be the largest share of a company’s total GHG emissions but is also the most difficult to measure and manage.
And to sum it up in one infographic.
The 414 platform will guide assist you in determining scope 1, 2 and 3 for your business. For more information, check out the guidance documents at the GHG Protocol website.