SERVICES / SCOPE 1, 2, AND 3 EMISSIONS

Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions

If you’ve been tasked with measuring your organisation’s carbon footprint, Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions might have come up. These form the basis for a measurement framework that can help you assess your carbon impact.

What are Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions?

Most major carbon measurement frameworks align with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Corporate Standard. This sorts carbon emissions into three categories: Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3.

These categories are a useful way to think about your carbon footprint and can help to narrow down where to make changes to reduce your carbon emissions.

SCOPES 1, 2 & 3

1
2
3

Scope 1: direct emissions

Scope 1 covers emissions from sources that a company creates directly, for example from burning fuel in gas boilers or in company-owned vehicles.

Scope 2: indirect emissions

Scope 2 is emissions a company creates indirectly, associated with the energy it purchases, for example from electricity.

Scope 3: Indirect value chain emissions

All other indirect emissions across your value chain fall into Scope 3. This is often 70-90% of your total carbon footprint, and covers emissions not produced by the company itself, but by those within a company’s value chain. This can look like the procurement of goods and services, employee commuting, and investment assets, among other things.

Read our What are Scope 3 emissions and why do they matter? blog for more information

With demand for sustainable organisations growing, investors and procurement teams are increasingly asking for evidence of a business’ carbon emissions in tenders. Measuring – and subsequently reducing – your carbon emissions reduces reputational risk, and tackling your Scope 3 emissions builds supply chain resilience.

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Addressing your carbon footprint, whether through the GHG Protocol framework or independently, can have commercial benefits too: Hillier Nurseries identified water use as a Scope 3 hotspot. By reducing reliance on mains water, they cut consumption by 49% and saved £35,000 in one year.

Since starting their certification journey in 2019, Sleepeezee has halved its carbon footprint, switched to 100% renewable electricity, and invested in efficiency measures like LED lighting and electric forklifts. Their verified reporting has built trust with wholesalers and customers alike, proving that sustainability isn’t just a commitment, it’s a growth strategy.

The benefits of full-scope measurement

Build credibility with stakeholders

Verified data strengthens trust with investors, clients and employees.

Win contracts and strengthen supply chains

Scopes 1, 2 and 3 data is now a standard requirement in many tenders. Being prepared makes you more competitive.

Cut costs and drive efficiency

Measurement highlights hotspots and inefficiencies, helping you reduce energy use, material waste, and logistics costs.

Stay ahead of regulation

Prepare for frameworks like CSRD and UK SRS, avoiding last-minute compliance pressures.

How Planet Mark can help

Through our Net Zero Certification Programme, we make Scope 3 measurement practical and commercially valuable:

Practical guidance on collecting Scope 3 data across suppliers.
Verified results that stand up to investor and client scrutiny.
Actionable insights to cut emissions and unlock savings.
Engagement with employees and suppliers to embed change.

With the right support, Scope 3 becomes an opportunity, to cut costs, strengthen relationships, and stay ahead of your competitors.

Planet Mark gives you the clarity and confidence to turn measurement into meaningful results.

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