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 |