Understanding Scopes 1, 2 and 3

Scopes 1, 2 and 3 categorize the different types of greenhouse gas emissions when calculating a carbon footprint assessment.  
In this article, we explain the difference between these three scopes and how they affect your organization's carbon footprint assessment.  

The origin of Scopes 1, 2 and 3

As part of the ecological transition and the effort to reduce greenhouse gases, companies are required to carry out a carbon footprint assessment of their activity. This mainly involves analyzing the volume of greenhouse gases emitted by an organization's production or sales activities.  

To make greenhouse gas accounting and analysis easier, 3 categories were created. This scope methodology was established under the GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol).  
It was then adopted by various French organizations, in particular for calculating the Bilan Carbone (the French carbon footprint assessment method), but also for the ISO 14064 standard. ‍

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What are the different scopes for?

The different scopes used to classify greenhouse gases make it possible to analyze the sources of a company's, or even a product's, CO2 emissions quickly and simply.  

As a tool for analyzing a carbon footprint, the different scopes are part of companies' CSR approach. They allow companies to identify the main sources of pollution within their organization and thus determine their priority ecological transition projects.  

Finally, in France, large companies are now required to report on their CSR initiatives and their greenhouse gas emission levels (and therefore to carry out a carbon footprint assessment).  
Setting up categories with the 3 scopes therefore allows for a simpler, unified analysis across different organizations.  

Scope 1

Scope 1 is the one closest to the company. It covers greenhouse gas emissions produced directly by a company's activities.  
For example, this scope includes the burning of polluting fossil fuels to manufacture the company's products. These are known as direct emissions.  

Some examples of Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions:  

• Pollution generated by gas heating of commercial premises  
• Pollution generated by company vehicles  

• Pollution generated by burning methane to create a product  

Scope 1 includes 5 main categories of pollution, which are counted in companies' carbon footprint assessments.  

• Stationary combustion sources
• Mobile combustion sources
• Direct process emissions

• Direct fugitive emissions
• Direct emissions from land, land-use change and forestry

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Scope 2

Scope 2 covers greenhouse gas emissions resulting from energy consumption.  

There are 3 main categories within Scope 2:  

• Indirect emissions from electricity consumption
• Indirect emissions from the consumption of network energy  

Some examples of Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions:

• Energy consumption for heating commercial premises  
• Electricity consumption to power IT equipment
• Electricity consumption for internet use  

Read our article to help you save energy within your organization!  ‍

‍Scope 3

Scope 3 covers all CO2 emissions that are not categorized in Scope 1 or 2.  

Scope 3 includes 15 main categories of pollution, which are counted in companies' carbon footprint assessments. Scope 3 emissions are often divided into "upstream" and "downstream" of production.  

• Energy-related emissions  
• Purchased goods and services  

• Capital goods  
• Waste  
• Freight transport and distribution of manufactured products
• Business travel  
• Leased assets  

• Investments  
• Customer travel  
• Use of sold products  
• End of life of sold products  
• Franchises

• Leasing
• Employee commuting
• Other indirect emissions

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Corporate carbon footprint assessment

Even though it is only mandatory for large companies, a carbon footprint assessment is a good tool for tracking the progress of the ecological transition within your organization and adopting effective CSR initiatives.  

At Leasetic, we help you find solutions that will reduce your costs and your greenhouse gas emissions! Talk to one of our experts today!  

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