Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions are direct GHG emissions from sources that are owned and/or controlled by the organisation carrying out its GHG assessment.
Scope 1 is divided into 4 categories.
Category 1.1 - Generation of electricity, heat, or steam
Emissions related to this category result from the combustion of fuels in stationary sources (boilers, furnaces, turbines, etc.) within the organisational boundary of the legal entity (i.e. the facilities it owns and/or controls).
To estimate the GHG emissions linked to this category, a monetary approach is used. Total consumption can be approximated using the organisation's energy bills. The total consumption is then multiplied by emission factors published by public bodies and agencies (e.g. IEA, EPA, UK Government, French Environment Agency, IPCC).
Accuracy can slightly be improved by directly using the total amount of energy consumed instead of the total amount paid. Nevertheless, the margin of error related to price variability is small (less than 5%, as prices do not fluctuate much).
Category 1.2 - Transportation of materials, products, waste, and employees
Emissions related to this category result from the consumption of fuels in company owned/controlled mobile combustion sources (e.g. cars, trucks, trains, buses).
As for category 1.1, emissions are computed using a monetary approach. The margin of error related to the variability of fuel prices can be eliminated by using activity-based data (consumption in L/km or MPG and the total distance travelled).
Category 1.3 - Physical or chemical processing
Emissions related to this category mostly result from the manufacture or processing of chemicals and materials (e.g. cement, aluminium, adipic acid, ammonia).
These emissions are accounted for via an activity-based approach and can be automated.
Category 1.4 - Fugitive emissions
Emissions related to this category result from intentional or unintentional releases: e.g. equipment leaks from joints, seals, packing and gaskets; HFC emissions during the use of refrigeration and conditioning equipment; methane emissions from coal mines and venting; methane leakages from gas transport; methane emissions from the decomposition of waste or nitrous oxide emissions from the use of fertilisers.
For most companies, especially in the tertiary sector, these emissions are mainly caused by air conditioning refrigerants leaks. These emissions are estimated by using the total air-conditioned surface area. Computations can be improved by using the total amount of refrigerants needed to recharge the AC system.
For other direct fugitive emissions, mainly in the industrial sector, gas leaks are estimated from the total amount of gas used in the process.
Other emissions - Direct emissions from biomass (soil and forests) (Optional)
Emissions related to this category are optional and are generally not taken into account in the total GHG emissions of the organisation. These emissions result from land use change (e.g. deforestation for agricultural purposes, construction of roads, car parks and buildings).
These emissions are estimated using the total affected surface area (expressed in m2 or square feet). A more in-depth analysis and study can be carried out to improve the estimation.