What does Scope 2 emissions refer to?

Scope 2 emissions refer specifically to indirect greenhouse gas emissions that result from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling consumed by an organization. These emissions are categorized as indirect because they occur at the facility where the electricity is generated, not at the facilities of the organization consuming it.

When organizations calculate their carbon footprint, it is critical to include Scope 2 emissions to understand the total environmental impact of their operations. By managing these emissions, companies can often reduce their overall greenhouse gas emissions significantly, such as by improving energy efficiency or purchasing renewable energy.

In contrast, Scope 1 covers direct emissions occurring from sources that are owned or controlled by the organization, which is not the focus of Scope 2. Other options representing emissions from employee commuting or waste disposal fall outside the Scope 2 definition and relate instead to other categories of emissions measurement.