Business Energy Glossary
What are Scope 1 emissions?
Scope 1 emissions are the direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources owned or controlled by an organisation, as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. For UK businesses, Scope 1 typically covers natural gas burned in boilers and CHP units, fuel used in company-owned vehicles, refrigerant leakage from air conditioning and cooling equipment, and process emissions from manufacturing. Scope 1 is the most directly controllable category of business emissions and the focus of many net zero strategies.
Scope 1 reporting is required for SECR (above the SECR threshold) and is a core component of CDP, science-based targets, and net zero pathway claims. Understanding what counts as Scope 1 matters for accurate carbon accounting and credible decarbonisation strategies.
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What counts as Scope 1
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol defines Scope 1 as direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the reporting organisation. The test is operational control: if the organisation has the authority to introduce and implement operating policies at the facility, the emissions are Scope 1.
Four sub-categories of Scope 1 are typically defined:
- Stationary combustion. Gas boilers, CHP, biomass boilers, diesel generators.
- Mobile combustion. Company-owned vehicles, fork lifts, mobile plant.
- Fugitive emissions. Refrigerant leakage from air conditioning and cooling.
- Process emissions. Chemical reactions in manufacturing (cement, steel, ammonia, etc.).
Common UK Scope 1 sources
| Source | Typical Scope 1 share |
|---|---|
| Natural gas for heating | Often 60-80% of Scope 1 for office and retail businesses |
| Natural gas for process heat | Major share for manufacturing |
| Company vehicles (cars, vans) | 10-30% depending on fleet |
| HGV and large vehicle fleet | Dominant share for logistics businesses |
| Refrigerant leakage | 5-15% for retail and food businesses with extensive cooling |
| Process emissions | Dominant share for heavy industry |
Calculating Scope 1
The standard approach is activity data multiplied by emission factor:
Scope 1 emissions (tCO2e) = activity data × emission factor
- Activity data. Gas consumption in kWh, fuel consumption in litres, refrigerant top-up in kg, etc.
- Emission factor. Published by BEIS / DESNZ annually (kgCO2e per unit).
- Total in CO2 equivalent. All greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3) converted to a CO2 equivalent using their Global Warming Potential.
For UK businesses, the DESNZ annual emission factor publication is the standard reference. Factors are updated each year to reflect changes in fuel composition and grid intensity.
Scope 1 in UK reporting
UK reporting frameworks requiring Scope 1 disclosure:
- SECR. Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting; mandatory for large companies and LLPs.
- Climate-related Financial Disclosures. Mandatory for premium listed companies and large pension schemes.
- CDP. Voluntary reporting to the CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project), often requested by customers and investors.
- Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). For organisations setting science-based net zero targets.
The reporting frameworks share the GHG Protocol Scope 1/2/3 structure, allowing data prepared for one framework to feed multiple disclosures.
Reducing Scope 1
Common Scope 1 reduction levers:
- Heating electrification. Replacing gas boilers with heat pumps eliminates direct emissions from heating (transferring impact to Scope 2 electricity).
- Process electrification. Replacing gas process heat with electric alternatives where temperature requirements allow.
- Fleet electrification. Battery electric vehicles eliminate direct emissions from owned vehicles (Scope 2 electricity impact).
- Refrigerant management. Lower GWP refrigerants, leak detection, end-of-life recovery.
- Biogas / biomethane. Replacing fossil natural gas with biogenic alternatives.
- Hydrogen. Where commercially available, for process heat or transport.
Most credible net zero pathways combine multiple Scope 1 levers with grid decarbonisation reducing Scope 2.
Scope 1 vs Scope 2 and Scope 3
| Scope | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | Direct emissions from owned sources | Gas boiler, company van diesel |
| Scope 2 | Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heat, steam | Grid electricity import |
| Scope 3 | All other indirect emissions in the value chain | Supplier emissions, employee commuting, end-use of products |
Scope 1 emissions FAQs
What are Scope 1 emissions?
Direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources owned or controlled by an organisation. For UK businesses, typically gas combustion in boilers and CHP, fuel in company vehicles, refrigerant leakage, and manufacturing process emissions.
What are common UK Scope 1 sources?
Natural gas for heating and process, company-owned vehicle fuel, refrigerant leakage from cooling equipment, and process emissions in manufacturing (cement, steel, chemicals).
How are Scope 1 emissions calculated?
Activity data (gas consumption in kWh, fuel litres, refrigerant kg) multiplied by emission factor (kgCO2e per unit). UK businesses use DESNZ annual emission factors as the standard reference.
Do I have to report Scope 1?
Required under SECR for large UK companies and LLPs above the size threshold. Also required for climate-related financial disclosures (premium listed companies). Voluntary for many other organisations but often expected by customers and investors.
How do I reduce Scope 1 emissions?
Electrify heating (heat pumps replacing gas boilers), electrify fleet, manage refrigerants, switch to biogas/biomethane, and use hydrogen where commercially available. Electrification transfers impact to Scope 2 where grid intensity drives the residual emissions.
What is the difference between Scope 1 and Scope 2?
Scope 1 is direct emissions from owned sources (a gas boiler in your building). Scope 2 is indirect emissions from purchased energy (grid electricity, district heating). The same activity (e.g. heating) can produce Scope 1 (gas) or Scope 2 (electric heat pump) depending on the technology.
Are refrigerants Scope 1?
Yes. Refrigerant leakage from air conditioning, refrigeration, and chillers owned or operated by the organisation counts as Scope 1 fugitive emissions. High-GWP refrigerants can contribute disproportionately to total emissions despite small physical quantities.
How does net zero relate to Scope 1?
Most credible net zero strategies aim to eliminate or radically reduce Scope 1 emissions. The Science-Based Targets initiative requires near-elimination of Scope 1 emissions by the net zero target date, with residual emissions addressed through high-quality carbon removals.