Understanding your emissions:
Scope 1
What are Scope 1 emissions?
Scope 1 emissions are direct greenhouse gas emissions that are controlled by a reporting organization. They include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs).
Examples of these emissions include:
- Stationary sources
- Heating sources, such as boilers, furnaces, ovens etc.
- Electricity (if generated on-site)
- Other facility operations, such as refrigeration and air conditioning
- Fleet vehicle emissions from company owned and controlled vehicles - Cars, trucks, vans etc.
- Construction equipment (if owned and controlled by the reporting organization)
What do you need to know to calculate Scope 1 emissions?
There are different ways to measure your Scope 1 emissions, and they are dependent on the source of the emissions, what sector you’re in, and the intent of your measurements.
For estimations or screenings, a simplified measurement is acceptable. Calculations for emissions from installation, operation, and disposal are provided by the GHG Protocol.
For detailed calculations of Scope 1 emissions, more information is needed to satisfy reporting requirements. Examples of the types of information necessary include:
- Fuel carbon content
- Fuel heat content
- Appropriate emission factors
- Equipment capacity
- Vehicle type
- Fuel use/type
- Distance travelled
- Quantity of fuel combusted
What are the benefits of accounting for scope 1 emissions?
The GHG Protocol recognizes several benefits of accounting for Scope 1 emissions. These include but are not limited to:
Reduced environmental impact
Stronger compliance
Operational efficiency
Improved recognition
How do you reduce scope 1 emissions?
Scope 1 emissions are the easiest to address because they are under full control of a reporting organization. As a result, once you identify these emissions, you can plan and implement changes to reduce them. Some of the ways to accomplish a reduction in Scope 1 emissions include:
- Upgrade facilities and equipment to be more energy efficient and sustainable
- Transition to renewable energy sources
- If you own company vehicles, switch to electric vehicles
- Perform regular maintenance to ensure compliance with energy standards
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to reducing Scope 1 emissions; however, once you identify and account for your emissions, you can determine what makes sense for your organization and its stakeholders.