Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions
Scope 1 takes all direct emissions from company assets into account. This concerns emissions released by your own building from heating, your fleet and production-related activities. Most of these emissions occur from combustion of natural gas, diesel or petrol. Some production processes release GHG gases like methane into the atmosphere, or there are cooling or AC systems that leak refrigerants.
Reduce scope 1 GHG emissions
- Conduct a baseline assessment using your Hedgehog carbon tool: Start by assessing your current Scope 1 emissions. Identify and quantify the sources of direct emissions within your organization, such as fuel combustion from owned or leased vehicles, emissions from manufacturing processes, or emissions from on-site power generation.
- Set reduction targets: Establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) targets for reducing your Scope 1 emissions. Consider factors like your business sector, available technologies, and financial feasibility when determining realistic targets. Also, check for available subsidies for carbon and energy reduction measures in your country. In the Netherlands, for example, you can check the EIA and MIA lists.
- Improve energy efficiency: Implement energy-efficient measures to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. This may include optimizing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, upgrading equipment to more efficient models, and implementing energy management systems.
- Transition to cleaner fuels: Explore alternatives to high-carbon fuels. Consider switching to low-emission or renewable energy sources, such as natural gas, biofuels, or electricity generated from renewable sources, for your heating, cooling, and manufacturing processes.
- Adopt clean technologies: Integrate cleaner and more efficient technologies into your operations. This could involve upgrading equipment with advanced emission control technologies or implementing process modifications that reduce emissions.
- Implement vehicle fleet management: If your business operates a vehicle fleet, optimize its efficiency by adopting fuel-efficient vehicles, promoting eco-driving practices among drivers, and maintaining regular vehicle maintenance to ensure peak performance.
- Enhance waste management: Develop effective waste management practices to minimize emissions from waste disposal. Consider recycling, composting, or waste-to-energy conversion as alternatives to landfilling.
- Invest in renewable energy on-site: Install on-site renewable energy systems, such as solar panels or wind turbines, to generate clean electricity for your operations. This can offset emissions from grid-supplied electricity and potentially provide cost savings over time.
- Engage employees and raise awareness: Foster a culture of sustainability within your organization. Educate employees about the importance of reducing emissions and encourage their participation in energy-saving initiatives. Implement incentives or recognition programs to motivate employees to contribute to emission reduction efforts.
- Monitor and report progress: Establish a system to monitor and measure your emissions regularly. This will help track your progress towards reduction targets, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate your commitment to stakeholders through transparent reporting.
Remember, each business is unique, and the specific actions you take to reduce Scope 1 emissions will depend on your industry, operations, and available resources. Consider seeking expert advice or engaging with sustainability consultants to tailor strategies that align with your organization's goals and capabilities.