CARBON
FOOTPRINT
IT MATTERS
STEP LIGHTER
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CARBON FOOTPRINT
WHAT ARE THEY?
Carbon footprints represent the total amount of
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated directly and
indirectly by a person, organization, product, or activity.
WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?
Environmental Impact: It helps understand how
our actions contribute to climate change and
environmental degradation.
Resource Efficiency: Reducing a carbon footprint
often leads to cost savings through energy
efficiency and sustainable practices.
Regulatory Compliance: Many governments and
organizations require carbon reporting to meet
environmental regulations.
Social Responsibility: Demonstrates
commitment to sustainability and resonates with
eco-conscious consumers and stakeholders.
Global Goals: Aligns with efforts to reduce
emissions, achieve net-zero targets, and combat
climate change.
CLASSIFICATION
Scope 1 - Direct Emissions Scope 2 - Indirect Emissions
Scope 3 - Indirect Emissions Scope 4 - Emissions Avoided
more on these emissions overleaf
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Scope 1
Direct Emissions
Definition
Direct emissions are emissions that are owned and
controlled by the organization.
On-Site Fuel Combustion (fossil fuel burning)
Arising From Company Vehicles
Fugitive Emissions (unintentional leaks)
Applicable GHG Protocol % of Global
15%
Standards ISO14064-1 Emissions
Direct Monitoring (measure emissions directly
Measurement using sensors)
Fuel Consumption Data (calculation based on
amount of fuel used)
Emission Factors (applying standard factors that
relate the quantity of emissions per unit of activity
Applicable To Interesting
Fact
Companies, factories and any Scope 1 emissions are often the
entities with direct control over easiest to measure and control
emissions. directly.
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Scope 2
Indirect Emissions
Definition
Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam,
heating and cooling.
Purchased Electricity (emissions from power plants)
Arising From Heating and Cooling (emissions from facilities
offering service)
Steam (emissions from facilities offering service)
Applicable GHG Protocol % of Global
25%
Emissions
Standards ISO14064-1
Energy Consumption Data (recording the amount
Measurement
of electricity, heating cooling and steam
consumed)
Emission Factors (applying factors specific to the
energy type and its source.
Applicable To Interesting
Fact
Any entity that purchases Scope 2 emissions can be
electricity, steam, heating or reduced by switching to
cooling for their operations. renewable energy sources.
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Scope 3
All Other Indirect Emissions
Definition
All other indirect emissions occurring in the value
chain of the reporting organization.
Arising From The production of goods and services
Company paid travel
Employees travelling to and from work
The use of the products sold
The disposal of the products sold (end-of-life)
Third-party suppliers and other upstream activities
GHG Protocol
Applicable % of Global
Standards ISO14064-1 Emissions 60%
CDP
Measurement Activity Data (Collecting information on various
activities)
Supplier Specific Emissions (using data provided by
suppliers to calculate emissions associated with
purchased goods and services
Lifecycle Assessments (conducting comprehensive
analysis to estimate emissions over the entire
lifecycle of products/services
Applicable To Interesting
Fact
Companies that need to Scope 3 emissions represent the
consider emissions from their largest portion of an
entire value chain - including organization’s carbon footprint
suppliers and customers. and is the most complex.
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Scope 4
Emissions Avoided
These emissions represent the decrease in ghg
Definition emissions occurring outside a company's value
chain because of the use of its products or services.
Energy-efficient products
Arising From Renewable energy
Teleconferencing services
Applicable Not yet % of Global
N/A
Emissions
Standards standardized
LIfecycle Analysis
Measurement
Comparison Analysis
Challenges Measurement complexity as emissions are ‘avoided
emissions’
Limited Recognition since it is not standardized
Applicable To Interesting
Fact
Innovative companies Scope 4 is an emerging concept
developing emission-reducing focusing on emissions avoided
products and services. through sustainable practices.
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