GHG Protocol: Scope 1
Reading 9 min
February 10, 2025
The GHG Protocol is a key global standard for assessing and managing corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Divided into three ‘scopes’, it covers organisations’ direct emissions, including those in Scope 1, which includes fuel combustion. It provides methodologies and emission factors for accurate carbon assessments.
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Introduction
The growing awareness of climate issues has led to the creation of standards to measure and manage GHG emissions. The GHG Protocol stands out as the global reference in this field. Discover the specificities of “Scope 1” of the GHG Protocol and the differences of this standard compared to others.
What is the GHG Protocol?
Definition of the GHG Protocol
The GHG Protocol, or Greenhouse Gas Protocol, is an internationally recognized standard for accounting and communicating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by organizations and companies. Its creation, in 1998, was motivated by the need for a standardized, clear and effective tool to measure, manage and reduce GHG emissions.
This protocol offers a detailed framework on how to inventory and report GHG emissions from different sources, divided into three ‘scopes’ or perimeters. These scopes distinguish between direct and indirect emissions, allowing companies to better understand the origin of their emissions and establish relevant strategies for their reduction.
Over the years, the GHG Protocol has established itself as the reference in greenhouse gas emissions accounting. In addition to providing a framework for accounting for emissions, the GHG Protocol also offers guidelines for verifying emissions, setting reduction targets, and evaluating GHG reduction initiatives. It encourages a transparent, comprehensive and consistent approach to reporting emissions.
What GHGs are covered by the GHG Protocol?
The GHG Protocol takes into account seven greenhouse gases (GHGs) identified by the Kyoto Protocol as the main culprits of global warming. These gases are:
- Carbon dioxide (CO₂): mainly from the combustion of fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal).
- Methane (CH₄): emitted by agriculture, livestock, landfills and fossil fuel extraction.
- Nitrous oxide (N₂O): generated by agriculture (nitrogen fertilizers), some industrial processes and biomass combustion.
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): used mainly as refrigerants in air conditioners and refrigeration systems.
- Perfluorocarbons (PFCs): derived from certain industrial processes, such as aluminium production.
- Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆): used as an electrical insulator in high-voltage equipment.
- Nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃): used in the electronics and semiconductor industries.
These gases are counted in CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e) to facilitate their comparison in carbon balances.
GHG Protocol: Which companies are concerned?
The GHG Protocol is aimed at all companies, regardless of their size or sector of activity. It is particularly used by large companies, multinationals and organizations subject to strict environmental regulations. High-emitting industries, such as the energy, transport, agriculture and construction sectors, are among the first to be concerned by the use of the GHG Protocol.
More and more companies are adopting this standard to meet regulatory requirements, improve their transparency and structure their approach to reducing emissions. To date, more than 9,000 companies and organizations worldwide use the GHG Protocol as a reference framework for their carbon footprint. Its adoption is encouraged by investors and stakeholders, who demand concrete commitments in terms of environmental responsibility. Thanks to this standard, companies can align their climate strategies with global carbon neutrality objectives.
GHG Protocol: What are scopes 1, 2 and 3?
The GHG Protocol classifies the different greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into three categories called scopes. These 3 scopes allow companies and organizations to better identify, measure and manage their environmental impact.
Scope 1: direct emissions
This scope includes emissions directly produced by a company, such as the combustion of fossil fuels in its facilities or vehicles, process emissions and fugitive emissions (refrigerant gas leaks, for example).
Scope 2: indirect energy-related emissions
This scope includes emissions related to the consumption of purchased energy (electricity, heating, cooling, steam) produced outside the company’s premises. Although indirect, these emissions must be taken into account in order to reduce an organization’s energy carbon footprint.
Scope 3: other indirect emissions
This category covers all emissions in the value chain, upstream and downstream: purchases of goods and services, transport of goods, business travel, use of products sold, waste management, etc. This is often the most complex and significant scope in terms of carbon footprint.
By structuring emissions into three scopes, the GHG Protocol provides companies with a comprehensive and standardized framework for carrying out their carbon assessment. Scopes 1, 2 and 3 thus enable organizations to better identify relevant reduction levers and align their strategies with current international standards.
What are the objectives of the GHG Protocol?
The GHG Protocol was designed to standardize the accounting and management of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a global scale. Its main objective is to enable companies, governments and organizations to measure, monitor and reduce their emissions in a reliable and transparent manner.
The specific objectives of the GHG Protocol are:
- Harmonize emissions accounting: by providing a recognized methodological framework to avoid inconsistencies in GHG monitoring.
- Facilitate transparency and comparability: by allowing stakeholders (investors, customers, regulators) to compare the climate commitments of different companies.
- Help companies reduce their environmental impact: by identifying the main sources of emissions and proposing reduction strategies.
- Support environmental regulations: by serving as a basis for many national and international climate standards.
- Encourage innovation and the transition to a low-carbon economy: by encouraging companies to adopt more sustainable technologies and practices.
Thanks to this standard, companies have a comprehensive tool to effectively reduce climate change, while strengthening their commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR).
GHG Protocol vs. Bilan Carbone: What are the differences?
The GHG Protocol and the Bilan Carbone are two methodologies for accounting for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, these two methods have several differences.
Origin and recognition:
The GHG Protocol, developed in 1998 by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), is an international standard widely adopted by companies and institutions around the world.
The Bilan Carbone, designed by ADEME (Agence de la transition écologique) in France, is a methodology specifically adapted to the French and European context.
Approach and scope:
The GHG Protocol defines emissions according to three scopes (1, 2 and 3), allowing detailed accounting of direct and indirect emissions.
The Bilan Carbone is also based on a three-category approach but with a more comprehensive vision, integrating upstream and downstream emissions in a more systematic way.
Usage and regulatory framework:
The GHG Protocol serves as a reference for many international regulatory frameworks, such as the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) or ISO standards.
In France, the Carbon Footprint is often used as part of the BEGES (Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report), an obligation for certain companies and communities.
Thus, the GHG Protocol is a global reference standard, while the Carbon Footprint is a more detailed method, adapted to the needs of French players. International companies generally favor the GHG Protocol, while those operating in France often combine the two approaches.
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GHG Protocol: Scope 1
Scope 1 under the GHG Protocol
Under the GHG Protocol, Scope 1 concerns direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by an organization or company’s own activities. These emissions come from sources controlled or owned directly by the organization, reflecting the direct and immediate impact of its activities on the environment.
Here are some of the main sources of emissions covered by Scope 1:
- Fuel combustion;
- Process emissions;
- Fugitive emissions.
Please refer to our article “Scope 1: What are the different categories?” for more details.
The GHG Protocol, as a leading standard, highlights detailed methodologies and precise emission factors to ensure the rigor and accuracy of companies’ carbon footprints.
GHG Protocol Methodology and Emission Factors for Scope 1
The GHG Protocol, as a leading standard, provides detailed methodologies and precise emission factors to ensure the rigor and accuracy of companies’ carbon footprints.
Scope 1: Methodology
Under the GHG Protocol, Scope 1 concerns direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by an organization or company’s own activities. These emissions come from sources directly controlled or owned by the organization, reflecting the direct and immediate impact of its activities on the environment.
Direct measurement and estimation: The ideal is for a company to directly measure its emissions, including using measuring instruments to monitor the gas output of its facilities. However, this is not always feasible. In this case, the GHG Protocol offers estimation methods based on activities, such as the amount of fuel consumed.
Hierarchical approach: Where there are different methods for estimating emissions from the same source, the GHG Protocol recommends a hierarchy based on the accuracy of the methods, encouraging companies to adopt the most accurate method available.
Regular update: Companies are encouraged to regularly reassess and update their methodologies.
Scope 1: Emission factors
Emission factors are coefficients that convert an activity quantity (e.g. litres of fuel consumed) into GHG emissions equivalents. The GHG Protocol provides standard emission factors for a wide range of activities:
Fuel combustion: For each fuel type, specific emission factors are proposed to account for the different compositions and energy densities.
Process emissions: Emission factors for process emissions are often more complex, as they must account for the different chemical reactions and their conversion rates.
Fugitive emissions: For these unintentional emissions, factors are established based on the type of equipment, the frequency of leaks and the nature of the gas emitted.
It is crucial for companies to use the right methodologies and appropriate emission factors to ensure the accuracy of their carbon footprint. By relying on the GHG Protocol’s guidance, organizations can ensure they are taking a consistent and credible approach to assessing and reporting their Scope 1 emissions.
Measuring GHG emissions using the GHG Protocol sets the global standard for environmental transparency
GHG Protocol: How does it differ from other standards?
One of the major strengths of the GHG Protocol is its transparency. This protocol provides clear and detailed guidelines, ensuring that companies have all the information they need to report accurately.
In addition, it is designed to be flexible, thanks to its hierarchical approach, allowing companies from all sectors and sizes to adopt it.
The GHG Protocol is designed to have a global scope, making it relevant for companies operating internationally. It also allows for a classification of emissions into three “Scopes”. This tripartite approach allows companies to better identify and manage their different sources of emissions, whether direct or indirect.
The GHG Protocol is widely recognized and adopted by companies, governments and NGOs around the world. This universal recognition ensures a certain consistency in the way emissions are reported globally. Finally, the GHG Protocol is often used as a basis for developing other regional or sectoral standards.
The GHG Protocol, with its well-defined structure and international reach, plays a crucial role in the fight against climate change.
Many software programs, such as D-Carbonize’s carbon footprint calculator, rely on its framework for GHG accounting. By understanding and adopting its principles, companies can not only improve their carbon footprint, but also contribute to a global approach to reducing emissions.
