Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, explained simply
Climate forms keep saying 'Scope 1, 2 and 3'. Here's what each one means for a normal business, with everyday examples.
Why there are three 'scopes'
It's just a way of grouping where your CO₂ comes from. Three buckets, so everyone measures the same way.
Scope 1 — fuel you burn yourself
The fuel you burn directly: diesel and petrol in your vehicles, gas for heating. If you can see a flame or a fuel tank, it's usually Scope 1.
Scope 2 — electricity you buy
The electricity you buy from the grid. You don't burn anything yourself, but making that electricity produced CO₂ somewhere, so it counts as yours.
Scope 3 — everything else
The indirect stuff: deliveries, business travel, the things you buy. It's the biggest and hardest bucket, so most small suppliers start with the parts that are easy to measure, like freight and flights.
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