Scope 1 emissions are direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions released from sources that an organization owns or controls. They come from fuel combustion and industrial processes happening “inside the fence line” of your operations, plus certain direct refrigerant releases.
Scope 1 is part of the GHG Protocol’s standard emissions framework (Scopes 1, 2, and 3) used for corporate carbon accounting and ESG reporting.
Why Scope 1 Emissions Matter
Scope 1 is often the most controllable part of a company’s footprint because it is tied to operational choices.
– Shows the impact of switching fuels, upgrading equipment, or electrifying operations
– Often a key focus in SBTi target-setting and decarbonization roadmaps
– Supports regulatory and customer reporting expectations with clear ownership boundaries
– Helps identify “quick wins” like heating upgrades or fleet policy changes
For EV charging manufacturers and infrastructure operators, Scope 1 can be smaller than Scope 3, but it still matters for credible reporting and cost reduction.
Common Sources of Scope 1 Emissions
Scope 1 sources vary by business type, but typically include:
– Stationary combustion: natural gas, LPG, oil, or other fuels used in boilers, furnaces, generators, space heating, and process heat
– Mobile combustion: fuel used in company-owned or controlled vehicles (cars, vans, forklifts, service vehicles)
– Process emissions: direct emissions from manufacturing or chemical processes (if applicable)
– Fugitive emissions: leaks of refrigerants (HVAC systems), fire suppression gases, and other controlled gases with high global warming potential
How Scope 1 Emissions Are Calculated
Scope 1 emissions are usually calculated from activity data and emissions factors.
– Collect fuel consumption data (e.g., liters of diesel, m³ of natural gas)
– Convert to energy units where needed (kWh, MJ)
– Apply approved emission factors and global warming potentials (GWP) to obtain CO₂e
– Track by source category (stationary, mobile, fugitive, process)
– Ensure consistent boundaries (organizational control approach, reporting year, locations)
High-quality Scope 1 accounting also documents assumptions, meter accuracy, and any estimation methods used.
Reduction Strategies for Scope 1
Typical ways to cut Scope 1 emissions focus on fuel switching and efficiency.
– Electrify heating where feasible (heat pumps instead of gas boilers)
– Improve building efficiency (insulation, controls, heat recovery)
– Switch to lower-carbon fuels for process heat where electrification is not yet viable
– Electrify company vehicles and site equipment
– Reduce refrigerant leakage with maintenance, monitoring, and lower-GWP refrigerants
– Optimize logistics and service routes to reduce fuel use in controlled fleets
Limitations to Consider
– Boundaries can be confusing for leased assets (depends on control and accounting approach)
– Some fuels and processes have uncertain data quality without metering
– Fugitive refrigerant emissions can be hard to measure without good maintenance records
– Scope 1 reductions may require capex (heating upgrades, fleet replacement)
Related Glossary Terms
Scope 2 emissions
Scope 3 emissions
GHG Protocol
Science Based Targets (SBTi)
Carbon accounting
Corporate carbon footprint
Refrigerant leakage
Fleet electrification
Product carbon footprint (PCF)