To reduce your carbon footprint and impact climate change, you must start by understanding, then measuring your greenhouse gas emissions. Understand the basics with this 3-minute video.
Content by Sustain.life makers of sustainability software.
What do the different emissions scopes mean?
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) divides emissions into three scopes:
Scope 1 emissions– direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by a company
Scope 2 emissions– indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat, and cooling
Scope 3 emissions– all other emissions associated with a company’s activities
If this is hard to grasp at first, we have a good shorthand to remember what each scope includes: Burn, Buy, Beyond. Scope 1 is what you burn; scope 2 is energy you buy; and scope 3 is everything beyond that.
While scope 1 and scope 2 emissions might be the easiest to measure, tracking what is often the largest culprit of a company’s carbon footprint—scope 3 emissions—tend to be more nebulous. Scope 3 emissions include an array of elusive carbon dioxide-emitting activities that, when added up, often account for more significant carbon emissions than Scopes 1 and 2 combined.
If a company truly intends to reduce or even eliminate its carbon footprint, it must address all three scopes and pay special attention to scope 3.
Learn everything you need to know about scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions
Related Article: How smaller companies can help the world get to net zero faster
Small- and medium-sized enterprises have a huge role to play. Moving toward a circular economy opens another door of opportunity for SMEs. Using longer-lasting, recyclable and renewable materials will reduce costs over time and decrease their vulnerability to any disruptions in the value chain.
Related: How the circular economy unlocks new revenue streams
Those in the vanguard will benefit from reduced operational costs, less reliance on scarce resources and fluctuating commodity cycles.
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