# Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, explained

Sustainability

Last updated: 3. Mar 2025

### To calculate your full carbon footprint, you must take into account both direct and indirect emissions, across Scope 1, 2, and 3.

Dr Aron Vallinder

Scientific Writer

Evan Farbstein

Content Writer

### Greenhouse gas emissions classification

Greenhouse gas emissions are classified into three scopes: scope 1, scope 2, and scope 3. These scopes are determined by where the emissions originate from. Scope 1 covers direct emissions that a company generates while performing its business activities, whereas scope 2 covers indirect emissions from purchased energy, and scope 3 covers indirect emissions in the value chain.

For most companies, [the value chain](https://normative.io/insight/value-chain-engagement/) is responsible for the vast majority of emissions, often around 90%. This makes it vital to include [scope 3](https://normative.io/insight/scope-3-emissions/) when [calculating your carbon footprint](https://normative.io/insight/carbon-accounting-explained/).

The terminology of scope 1, 2, and 3 was introduced in the [Greenhouse Gas Protocol](https://ghgprotocol.org/) (GHG Protocol), which sets the standards for calculating GHG emissions globally. Virtually every corporate sustainability reporting program is based on the GHG Protocol, making it crucial to understand this framework.

## Scope 1

Scope 1 emissions are direct GHG emissions that a company generates while performing its business activities. This includes:

- Generation of electricity, heat, or steam.
- Manufacture or processing of chemicals and materials, as well as waste processing.
- Transportation of materials, products, and waste using vehicles owned or controlled by the company.
- Fugitive emissions, such as equipment leaks of gases or vapors from pressure-containing equipment.

#### How to calculate scope 1 emissions

**Best approach:**

Direct measurement of GHG emissions by monitoring concentration and flow rate.

**Alternative approach:**

Calculated based on the purchased quantities of commercial fuels and emissions factors.

## Scope 2

Scope 2 emissions are the indirect emissions generated by the production of purchased energy. This includes:

- Purchased electricity
- Purchased heating
- Purchased cooling

#### How to calculate scope 2 emissions

**Best approach:**

Calculated from metered electricity consumption and supplier-specific emissions factor.

**Alternative approach:**

Local grid or other more general emissions factors can be used to calculate emissions starting from metered electricity or electricity bills.

## Scope 3

Scope 3 emissions are all other indirect emissions that occur in the value chain of a company and are not included within scope 2. These emissions result from business activities but occur from sources the company does not own or control. They account for approximately [88%](https://normative.io/insight/scope-3-emissions/) of an average company’s emissions. Scope 3 emissions include:

- Emissions generated in the company’s supply chain, such as extraction, production, and transportation of purchased materials and fuels.
- Emissions generated from the use of sold products and services.
- Emissions generated from waste disposal, including waste generated in operations and in the production of purchased materials and fuels, as well as disposal of sold products at the end of their life.

#### How to calculate scope 3 emissions

**Best approach:**

Primarily calculated from activity data such as fuel use or passenger miles, along with published or third-party emissions factors. Facility-specific emissions factors are preferred to generic factors.

**Alternative approach:**

For smaller scope 3 emissions contributors, a transaction-based method with general emissions factors can be used to reduce costs and complexity without overly compromising quality.

#### Take a deep dive into scope 3

Learn more about the value chain emissions in scope 3 which are challenging, but vital, for businesses to address.

## Why calculate your scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions?

The top-performing companies are committing to net zero: to reduce their emissions as much as possible, and then compensate any remainder with high-quality [climate investment](https://normative.io/climate-investment/).

To reach net zero, the first step is to measure all of your emissions – scope 1, 2, and 3.

#### Calculate your full scope 1, 2, 3 emissions

Normative’s carbon accounting engine calculates your entire climate footprint and identifies emission hotspots. Our carbon specialists use this intelligence to create a tailored reduction plan and a climate investment strategy for what you can’t reduce.

[Book a demo](https://normative.io/book-a-demo/)