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Learn how to calculate your company’s complete carbon footprint using the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, the most widely used international accounting tool for measuring greenhouse gas emissions.
Estimated time: 2.5 hoursWhat you’ll learn:
  • Set up your company’s organizational structure
  • Understand consolidation approaches for multi-entity organizations
  • Calculate Scope 1 (direct) emissions (30 minutes)
  • Calculate Scope 2 (indirect) emissions (30 minutes)
  • Calculate Scope 3 (indirect) emissions (1 hour)
  • Apply the appropriate calculation methods for different emission sources

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By Emission Scope

Understanding which Scope your emissions fall into helps with reporting. These are the three scopes as defined by the GHG Protocol:

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Scope 1: Direct Emissions

Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by your organization.
API: Vehicles & Vehicle Consumptions NEW API (Recommended)Use for: Fleet cars, delivery trucks, forkliftsData needed: Fuel type, quantity, vehicle specsMobile Combustion Tutorial →
API: Facilities & Invoices LEGACYUse for: Natural gas heating, diesel generatorsData needed: Fuel type, consumption, facility locationFacilities Tutorial →
API: Waste Water Treatments LEGACYUse for: On-site treatment facilitiesData needed: Daily treatment data, biogas productionAPI Reference →

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Scope 2: Purchased Energy

Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from purchased energy. This includes electricity, heating, and cooling.
API: Invoices LEGACYUse for: Office buildings, warehouses, factoriesData needed: kWh consumed, grid location, invoice periodScope 2 Emissions Tutorial →
API: Invoices LEGACYUse for: Purchased heat or cooling servicesData needed: Energy consumed (kWh or MJ), supplierScope 2 Emissions Tutorial →

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Scope 3: Value Chain Emissions

Scope 3 emissions are indirect emissions from your value chain. This includes emissions from: purchased goods, services, capital goods, fuel and energy-related activities, upstream and downstream transportation, waste disposal, business travel, employee commuting, upstream and downstream leased assets, processing, use and end of life treatment of sold products, franchises and investments. See more information in the Technical Guidance for Calculating Scope 3 Emissions..
API: Purchases LEGACYUse for: Raw materials, components, office supplies, servicesData needed: Product/service type, quantity, spend amount, supplier (optional)Supply Chain Tutorial →
API: Purchases LEGACYUse for: Equipment, machinery, buildings, vehicles (as assets)Data needed: Asset type, purchase value, supplier, asset lifetimeTutorial coming soon!
API: Transport LEGACYUse for: Inbound shipments from suppliers, third-party logisticsData needed: Origin, destination, weight, transport mode, carrierTutorial coming soon!
API: Wastes LEGACYUse for: Recycling, landfill, incineration, compostingData needed: Waste type, quantity, disposal method, treatment facilityTutorial coming soon!
API: Business Travels LEGACYUse for: Employee travel by air, rail, car rental, hotel staysData needed: Travel distance, mode of transport, accommodation nightsTutorial coming soon!
API: Employees LEGACYUse for: Employee travel to and from workData needed: Commute distance, transport mode, number of employees, days workedTutorial coming soon!
API: Coming soon!Use for: Leased facilities, equipment, vehicles (operational control)Data needed: Asset type, lease period, energy consumption, fuel useTutorial coming soon!
API: Transport LEGACYUse for: Outbound shipments from suppliers, third-party logisticsData needed: Origin, destination, weight, transport mode, carrierTutorial coming soon!
API: Coming soon!Use for: Emissions from processing products sold by third partiesData needed: Product type, processing method, quantity processedTutorial coming soon!
API: Coming soon!Use for: Emissions from end-user use of your products (e.g., energy consumption)Data needed: Product type, usage patterns, energy consumption, product lifetimeTutorial coming soon!
API: Coming soon!Use for: Disposal, recycling, incineration of products after useData needed: Product type, disposal method, quantity disposedTutorial coming soon!
API: Coming soon!Use for: Assets leased to others (financial control)Data needed: Asset type, lease period, lessee energy consumptionTutorial coming soon!
API: Coming soon!Use for: Emissions from franchise operationsData needed: Franchise locations, energy consumption, fuel use, operations dataTutorial coming soon!
API: Coming soon!Use for: Emissions from equity investments, debt investments, project financeData needed: Investment type, investee emissions data, ownership percentageTutorial coming soon!

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Tutorial Steps

Follow these steps to calculate your complete carbon footprint:

Step 1: Set Up Your Company Structure

Create your organizational hierarchy and configure consolidation

Step 2: Calculate Scope 1 Emissions

Track direct emissions from stationary and mobile combustion

Step 3: Calculate Scope 2 Emissions

Track indirect emissions from purchased energy

Step 4: Calculate Scope 3 Emissions

Track indirect emissions from your value chain