Green House Gas (GHG) Emissions have been broken down into a classification system (scope 1,2,3) to measure, manage and reduce gas emissions with an ambition to be NetZero by 2050:
Scope 1: Direct (owned) emission - Burn
Scope 2: Indirect (purchased) emissions - Buy
Scope 3: Other Indirect (purchased) - Beyond
Scope 1 is concerned with the direct ghg emissions that are owned or controlled by the company. For example, if a company burns fossil fuels for energy, manufactures products, or operates vehicles, it is responsible for the scope 1 emissions that result from these actions. Scope 1 plays a part in the process of understanding and reducing the carbon footprint inline with the going NetZero.
Some examples of scope 1 emissions are:
Emissions from combustion of natural gas, oil, coal, or other fuels in boilers, furnaces, generators, or vehicles
Emissions from chemical reactions or physical processes, such as cement production, metal smelting, or refrigerant leakage
Emissions from waste incineration, flaring, or venting
Emissions from livestock, land use change, or biomass burning
Scope 1 emissions are important to track and report because they reflect the direct environmental impact of an organisation’s operations. By reducing scope 1 emissions, an organisation can lower its carbon footprint, save money on energy costs, and demonstrate its commitment to sustainability.
There are several ways that companies can reduce their scope 1 emissions, which are the direct greenhouse gas emissions that they produce from their own activities or sources. Some of the possible methods are:
Reduce energy consumption: Companies can save energy by unplugging appliances, powering down computers, and running fans to improve air circulation. These actions can lower the emissions from burning fossil fuels for electricity and heating.
Increase energy efficiency: Companies can invest in energy-efficient appliances, waste heat capture, insulation, lighting, and heating and cooling systems. These measures can reduce the amount of energy needed to run their operations and lower their emissions.
Switch to renewable energy sources: Companies can replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, or biomass. These sources have lower or zero emissions and can help companies achieve net zero targets.
Implement process changes: Companies can modify their production processes to reduce the emissions from chemical reactions, physical processes, waste incineration, flaring, or venting. For example, they can use alternative materials, recycle waste, capture and store carbon dioxide, or use biogas instead of natural gas.
Understanding the nature and extent of an organisations emissions, is the first step to increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and hitting targets for becoming NetZero.