How to specify the scope

In this field, you need to specify under which scope (explanation below) the emissions from the activity you selected should fall. The reason for this is that activities and emission factors can sometimes be assigned to different scope categories, and only you can determine whether these emissions are a result of your own actions or, for example, those of an actor in your supply chain.

For the overall calculation of your carbon footprint, the classification does not make a difference, but it does for reporting purposes — for instance, emissions need to be classified and reported under Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 in frameworks like the ESRS standards.

What are Scopes?

Scopes are classifications for greenhouse gas emissions according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which helps categorize emissions. Many other ESG frameworks, such as the ESRS standards, also use this terminology to classify emissions. Below, you will see an overview of the scopes, and you can find more information about each subcategory in this section of the Helpdesk.

The three main categories are Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3.

Scope 1:

Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from your own activities "within the four walls" of your company and are emitted by the company itself. For example, if you use machinery that consumes fuel on-site, the resulting emissions fall under Scope 1.

Scope 2:

Scope 2 emissions are also a result of your own activities but do not occur on-site. The most important example is purchased electricity. To run your company, you likely buy electricity from a regional or national energy provider. The emissions are generated by the energy provider but are caused by your company's actions.

Scope 3:

Scope 3 emissions occur throughout the value chain. Major contributors here include purchased goods and services, business travel, employee commuting, and the transportation of goods from suppliers to your company or from your company to customers.

For more information on the individual subcategories of Scope 1, 2, and 3, you can find details here.