Carbon Accounting Guide

Scope 1 Emissions: Understanding Direct Emissions

Summary

Scope 1 emissions are direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from sources that a company owns or controls. These emissions are a critical part of carbon accounting because they are entirely within the organisation’s operational control, making them the most actionable for reduction efforts. Examples include emissions from company vehicles, on-site fuel combustion, and leaks from equipment.

What are Direct Emissions?

Direct emissions originate from activities where the organisation directly emits greenhouse gases. The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol identifies several types of direct emissions:

1. Fuel Combustion

Fuel combustion refers to the burning of fuels such as natural gas, diesel, petrol, or coal in equipment or vehicles owned or controlled by the company.

• Example: Emissions from a company’s delivery fleet or fuel used in on-site boilers.
• Common Sources of Data:
  • Fuel purchase records.
  • Maintenance logs for vehicles or equipment.
  • Fuel meters installed on equipment.

2. On-Site Generation

On-site generation involves producing energy directly on company premises. This can include electricity, heat, or steam generated through combustion or other industrial processes.

• Example: A manufacturing plant running its own gas-powered turbines to generate electricity for operations.
• Common Sources of Data:
  • Energy production logs.
  • Equipment specifications and operating hours.
  • Gas flow meters.

3. Fugitive Emissions

Fugitive emissions are unintentional leaks or releases of greenhouse gases from equipment or processes. These often involve refrigerants, industrial gases, or methane emissions during the extraction or transport of fossil fuels.

• Example: Leaks of refrigerant gases from HVAC systems or methane leaks during natural gas extraction.
• Common Sources of Data:
  • Refrigerant purchase and refill logs.
  • Maintenance records for HVAC systems or industrial equipment.
  • Industry-standard emission factors for specific processes.

4. Process Emissions

Process emissions are the result of chemical or physical transformations during industrial processes, rather than from combustion. These are particularly relevant to manufacturing and heavy industries.

• Example: Carbon dioxide emissions during cement production or nitrous oxide emissions in fertiliser manufacturing.
• Common Sources of Data:
  • Production process data (e.g., volumes of raw materials used).
  • Emission factors specific to the industrial process.
  • Monitoring equipment installed at emission points.

Conclusion

Scope 1 emissions represent a company’s most direct impact on the environment. They arise from sources under the company’s control, such as fuel combustion, on-site energy generation, process emissions, and fugitive leaks. Understanding and managing Scope 1 emissions is crucial for organisations aiming to reduce their carbon footprint and take meaningful action on climate change.

By accurately measuring Scope 1 emissions using reliable data sources, companies can identify opportunities for efficiency improvements, adopt cleaner technologies, and reduce their overall impact on the environment. Scope 1 emissions are where meaningful climate action begins.