Carbon Emissions and Markets Jargon Buster

What are Scope One, Scope Two, and Scope Three Emissions?

When we move towards net zero, we need to take into account each of the three emission types.

• Scope one emissions are emissions associated with direct fuel use, for example gas burning or if you have coal or oil at your place of work or in some manufacturing process.
• Scopes two and three are where your products are coming from and then where your product are used, so both ends of the supply chain.

What are the two main types of offsets?

1. Avoidance of emissions

Avoiding emissions includes activities such as reducing or avoiding the use of fossil fuel powered machinery, or adding solar panels to homes and offices. It can also mean using a more efficient way of cooking, such as switching from wood-burning stoves to energy efficient ones. We can also help protect forests by taking steps to avoid depletion and allowing existing forests to be maintained. These projects create 'avoidance' credits, which will help us address our carbon emissions.

2. Removal of emissions

Removing emissions can be done by actively planting more trees and by storing carbon in wood and soil. Technologies are also developing in this area, including carbon capture and storage,and whilst they are currently relatively expensive, they are very likely to reduce in cost over time.