» Resources » What’s the difference between scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions? Energy & Carbon What’s the difference between scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions? In order for organisations to reach their net zero targets, a carbon strategy should be at the forefront of their minds. As part of that carbon strategy, it’s crucial that organisations, both SMEs and global corporates, are accurately measuring and managing their carbon emissions. For organisations to be able to measure their carbon footprint, they need to be able to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions that they’re responsible for. To do this, organisations must collect their operational data and use official multipliers (known as conversion factors) to translate those into carbon emissions. Organisations should, at minimum, cover their carbon scope 1 and 2 emissions, and also include their scope 3 emissions data where possible. It can be confusing at first to keep track of which emissions belong to which scope, so allow us to help and explain: Scope 1 emissions correspond to the direct emissions you have produced from owned and controlled sources. For example, if your organisation has a vehicle fleet, any diesel or petrol consumed by those vehicles generates emissions that come out of the exhaust pipes. Those are therefore emissions that the organisation is directly generating and responsible for. Scope 2 emissions are defined as indirect emissions from the consumption of electricity, steam, heating and cooling. Scope 3 emissions are all other indirect emissions. This can range from the carbon embodied in the materials you purchase through to emissions associated with the processing of the waste you have generated. For most organisations, scope 3 emissions will be the largest contributor to their footprint. Need a measurement tool for tracking your organisations’ carbon emissions? Register for a free Carbon Calculator account. Need help developing a carbon strategy for your organisation? Get in touch! Charles Naud Head of Product Apr 1, 2022 Share: Related Articles April 2025 Blog Getting Started with Social Value: What It Is and Why It Matters Sam Walker April 2025 Blog Getting Started with Social Value: What It Is and Why It Matters In recent years, Social Value has emerged as a significant element within the framework of sustainable development, particularly in the context of public procurement. But whilst some organisations may be confident in their understanding and delivery of Social Value, many organisations – in particular SMEs – are being introduced to the concept for the first […] Keagan Allin April 2025 Modern Slavery & Human Rights The EU’s Omnibus Package: What’s Changing in CSRD and CSDDD Action Sustainability Staff April 2025 Modern Slavery & Human Rights The EU’s Omnibus Package: What’s Changing in CSRD and CSDDD In 2021 and 2022, the European Union introduced two groundbreaking sustainability laws: the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Now, more than three years later and with implementation just around the corner, the European Commission has put forward an ‘Omnibus Simplification Package’. This new proposal aims to ease […] Keagan Allin March 2025 COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder Comparing the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) with the CO2 Performance Ladder Action Sustainability Staff March 2025 COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder Comparing the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) with the CO2 Performance Ladder The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the CO2 Performance Ladder (the Ladder) are two powerful tools for organisations aiming to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions. While both share common goals, they differ in approach, scope, and application. This article provides a comprehensive comparison to help organisations understand their similarities, differences, and potential complementarities. […] Keagan Allin