Scope 1 emissions
Scope 1 emissions are the direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources a company owns or controls — such as burning fuel on-site, running company vehicles, and refrigerant leaks. Under the GHG Protocol they are the first and most directly controllable part of a carbon footprint.
Classify an activity freeThe three scopes at a glance
- • On-site fuel
- • Company vehicles
- • Refrigerants
- • Purchased electricity
- • Heat / steam
- • Cooling
- • Purchased goods
- • Business travel
- • Waste
Examples of Scope 1 emissions
- Natural gas burned in on-site boilers and furnaces
- Fuel used by company-owned vehicles and machinery
- Diesel for on-site generators
- Fugitive refrigerant leaks from air conditioning
- Process emissions from manufacturing
How to calculate Scope 1
Collect activity data for each direct source (litres of fuel, kWh of gas, kg of refrigerant), then multiply by the matching emission factor to get kg CO₂e. Sum across all sources for your total Scope 1.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Scope 1 and Scope 2?
Scope 1 is direct emissions from sources you own or control (e.g. fuel you burn). Scope 2 is indirect emissions from energy you purchase, such as electricity.
Are refrigerant leaks Scope 1?
Yes. Fugitive emissions from refrigerants in equipment you own or control are Scope 1, calculated by multiplying the mass leaked by the refrigerant’s global warming potential (GWP).