GHG Emissions and Classification

Greenhouse Gases refer to a collection of seven greenhouse gases listed in the Kyoto Protocol, i.e., carbon dioxide (CO2); methane (CH4); nitrous oxide (N2O); hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs); nitrogen trifluoride (NF3); perfluorocarbons (PFCs); and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). These GHGs are released into the atmosphere as a result of emissions from various activities undertaken as part of several business operations and/or an entity’s value chain.

Classification

GHG Emissions are broadly classified into two sources and three reporting categories which are consistently used across these standards and/or frameworks:

Table 6-1 Classification of GHG Emissions

Source Reporting Category
Direct Emissions Scope 1
Indirect Emissions Scope 2
Indirect Emissions Scope 3
These emissions reporting categories can be distinguished based on the following definitions:
  • Scope 1 – Emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by an entity
  • Scope 2 – Emissions from sources that are purchased and controlled by an entity
  • Scope 3 – Emissions from all other sources
These reporting categories are further sub-divided into various activities as listed below:

Table 6-2 Reporting Categories

Reporting Category Emissions Source Activity
Scope 1 Fuels
Scope 1 Refrigerants
Scope 1 Owned Transportation
Scope 2 Electricity
Scope 2 Heat and Steam
Scope 2 District Cooling
Scope 3 Purchased goods and services
Scope 3 Capital goods
Scope 3 Fuel and energy-related activities
Scope 3 Upstream transportation and distribution
Scope 3 Waste generated in operations
Scope 3 Business travel
Scope 3 Employee commuting
Scope 3 Upstream leased assets
Scope 3 Downstream transportation and distribution
Scope 3 Processing of sold products
Scope 3 Use of sold products
Scope 3 End-of-life treatment of sold products
Scope 3 Downstream leased assets
Scope 3 Franchises
Scope 3 Investments