Greenhouse gas overview 

Greenhouse gas tracking in EnergyCAP complies with the IPCC requirements to track the emissions from six internationally recognized types of greenhouse gases relating to human activity: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

Emissions are reported in metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent (t CO2e) as the universal reporting standard but customized conversions may also be applied based on reporting needs.

Scopes and categories

Scope categories offered in EnergyCAP align with the EPA's standard definitions as well as the internationally recognized Greenhouse Gas Protocol. 

They categorize emissions as three distinct scopes that form the backbone of the GHG inventory and reporting format: 

  • Scope 1 Emissions: Includes all “direct” sources of GHG emissions from sources owned or controlled by the corporation or institution, including (but not limited to): production of electricity, heat, or steam in owned or controlled boilers, furnaces, etc; transportation (using corporate or fleet vehicles) of materials, products, waste, and community members; and fugitive emissions (from unintentional leaks).
  • Scope 2 Emissions: Accounts for “indirect” sources of GHG emissions from the generation of purchased utilities consumed by the corporation or institution. A purchased utility is defined as one that is bought or otherwise brought into the organizational boundary of the company. Scope 2 emissions physically occur at the facility where the utility is generated and thus are separated from direct emissions reported by the utility company to avoid double counting.
  • Scope 3 Emissions: Indicates all other “indirect emissions.” Scope 3 emissions are a consequence of the activities of the company or institution but occur from sources not owned or controlled by the company. Some examples of scope 3 activities are extraction and production of purchased materials, transportation of purchased fuels, and use of sold products and services.

How do I know what scope to choose?

EnergyCAP recommends reviewing the EPA guidelines.