Five common contributors to a business carbon footprint are fuel consumption, purchased electricity, transport, purchased goods and services, and waste.
Fuel burned in boilers, heating systems, generators or company vehicles can create direct Scope 1 emissions. Purchased electricity generally falls within Scope 2, while many other sources are classified as Scope 3 because the emissions occur elsewhere in the organisation’s value chain.
Transport emissions can include company vehicles, business travel, employee commuting and the movement of goods. Purchased products and services can also be important because emissions arise when raw materials are extracted, products are manufactured and goods are transported through the supply chain. Waste creates further emissions through its collection, treatment and disposal.
The importance of each source will vary significantly between organisations. A professional services company may have relatively little direct fuel use but substantial business travel or purchased-service emissions, whereas a manufacturer may have much higher emissions from energy, materials and industrial processes.
