Explainer

Understanding Emission Scopes in the GHG Protocol

The GHG Protocol’s three emission scopes acknowledge the complexities of supply and demand while also encouraging sector-wide alignment, consistent transparency, and support for science-based decarbonization targets.

Most of this primer was first published as an explanatory sidebar for our news article SBTi: To Decarbonize, AEC Firms Must “Own” Clients’ Buildings.

The GHG Protocol’s Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard defines three emission “scopes.” The higher the scope number, the less influence the company has over the emissions.

Published August 17, 2023

Melton, P. (2023, August 17). Understanding Emission Scopes in the GHG Protocol. Retrieved from https://www.buildinggreen.com/explainer/understanding-emission-scopes-ghg-protocol