Scope 1, scope 2, scope 3: these three categories are at the heart of the carbon balance, a method for evaluating the quantities of greenhouse gases generated by human activities. But what do these three scopes define?
Let's continue our summer series on carbon balance, with a first zoom to understand what scope 1 is.

Scope 1 lists greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for which the organization is directly responsible.

Do you want to improve your company's carbon footprint?
These direct carbon emissions are the easiest to control.

What GHG emissions are included in scope 1 of the carbon footprint? How can you reduce them to limit your environmental impact, adapt to climate change and control your energy bill?

Ways to act.

What is Scope 1 of the carbon balance?

In the carbon balance, scope 1 Measure the quantities of greenhouse gases directly due to the activities of an organization. These carbon emissions are produced by fixed or mobile sources that the company owns or controls. They are linked to industrial processes and to The burning of fossil fuels.

More specifically, scope 1 quantifies the greenhouse gases produced by the following emission items:

• The warming with oil or natural gas Buildings.
• La fossil fuel combustion necessary for the operation of industrial installations (boilers, industrial furnaces, turbines, generators...).
• The production ofsanitary hot water.
• The use of fleet of thermal vehicles of the company.

Carbon emissions evaluated by scope 1 of the carbon balance can also be fleeting.. They are hidden in refrigerant leaks or the treatment of organic waste. Methane is also produced by biomass (soils and forests) and ruminants, and nitrous oxide (N2O) escapes during nitrogen fermentation.

Why understand and measure these Scope 1 carbon emissions?

Achieve your carbon footprint and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions
scope 1 is:

• Limit thecarbon footprint and the environmental impact of the company.
• Build and implement an exemplary CSR (corporate social responsibility) policy.
• Guarantee compliance with environmental regulations.
• Reassure customers, employees, investors and other partners, who are increasingly demanding in terms of environment and health.
• Convey a positive image of a sustainable company committed to the energy transition.
• Save energy and lower the energy bill.

How to measure Scope 1 carbon emissions in the carbon balance?

Several methods help measure scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions. The tools differ depending on the emission sources and complexity industrial processes.

Direct measurement of carbon emissions

Reliable and accurate, the direct method uses measuring instruments such as gas meters and detectors, combustion sensors, infrared sensors...

This method is preferred for evaluating scope 1 carbon emissions that are fugitive or generated by specific industrial processes. Nevertheless, she remains costly, with the need for regular maintenance.

Calculating Scope 1 GHG emissions using the physical factor

In the absence of direct measurement, greenhouse gas emissions can be calculated by multiplying the activity data by the physical emission factor. The formula is as follows:

GHG quantity = quantity consumed (expressed in the unit of the product) x physical emission factor (quantity of CO2 emitted by a unit).

The quantity consumed is for example the quantity of fossil fuel burned, or the number of hours that an equipment has been in operation. The physical emission factor is obtained by consulting The Imprint Base^® of ADEME or international protocols such as the GHG Protocol.

Here is an example of the calculation. If a company's diesel consumption represents 3,000 liters each year, the associated greenhouse gas emissions are estimated at: 3,000 liters x 2.68 kg CO2e/liter, or 8,040 kg CO2e or 8.04 tons CO2e.

This method of calculating greenhouse gas emissions is simple and inexpensive. On the other hand, it requires Upstream time to collect and make data reliable.

The use of software to calculate GHG emissions

To facilitate the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions, or in the case of complex industrial processes, the company can use dedicated software and modeling tools.

If the results obtained are accurate and detailed, it may however require a technical expertise to enter all settings. Les maintenance data And the supplier documentation help to complete information on carbon emissions.

How to reduce Scope 1 carbon emissions?

Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions are the only ones that the company has total control over. It can reduce them by combining actions accessible to all, efficient energy choices and ambitious investments.

Reducing energy consumption

The reduction of scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions requires action on the warming And thesanitary hot water. Businesses can encourage their employees to lower the heating temperature in offices and to use cold water instead.

For more effective and global action, the company can install a central temperature regulation via a System of energy management.

But it is through the choice of equipment that consumes less energy And thethermal insulation of its buildings that a company can effectively reduce its energy consumption.

Replacing fossil fuels

Replacing fossil fuels with carbon-free energy significantly and permanently limits scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions. The company can:

• Investing in renewables via the production and self-consumption of local, renewable energy that does not emit greenhouse gases directly into the atmosphere (photovoltaic panels on roofs, solar shading in car parks, geothermal energy, heat pump, thermodynamic water heater, etc.).
• Replace the fossil fuels burned for heating and industrial processes using low-carbon technologies (low-carbon renewable gas, biomass, biomethane, hydrogen, etc.).

Decarbonizing mobility

Mobility remains an ecological black spot for many companies. However, many solutions are being developed for more sustainable mobility, with reduced greenhouse gas emissions:

• Choose electromobility, by acquiring electric vehicles that allow greenhouse gas emissions to be divided by 3 to 4 compared to internal combustion vehicles.
• Give priority to biofuels, CNG and hydrogen for heavy transport.
• Limiting business travel thanks to videoconferencing and trip optimization.
• Former eco-responsible drivers.

Improving industrial processes

If investing in new technology is too expensive, the company can avoid some greenhouse gas emissions by optimizing its processes, in regularly maintaining its equipment And in detecting leaks.

One regular and accurate monitoring of energy consumption makes it possible to identify possible malfunctions and their sources.
The energy consulting firm, Sirenergies offers companies a dedicated application to analyze energy data and identify overconsumption.

Did you know that?

An energy consulting firm, SirEnergies provides businesses with An energy management application.
Thanks to the monitoring of electricity and gas prices and the real-time vision of energy consumption, it allows proactive and agile energy management.

Access the SirEnergies app

Our experts support you to build tailor-made energy solutions, adapted to your needs and your budget.

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Scope 1 measures the company's direct greenhouse gas emissions as part of the carbon footprint. They are mainly generated by the combustion of fossil fuels linked to industrial processes, heating and travel. Scope 1 carbon emissions are the only ones on which a company can act without depending on third party partners. By investing in low-carbon technologies andee, the company reduces its environmental impact and optimizes its energy budget.

Investing today means protecting its competitiveness, sustainability, sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change.

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