What are emissions scopes and how will they impact local government inventories?

• Under the new protocol, emissions will be classified into three scopes established in the World Resource Institute’s WRI’s Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions such as tailpipe or smokestack emissions. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from electricity and central heating and cooling systems where control of the use of the energy rests with the end user even though the powerplant is owned and operated by someone else. Scope 3 emissions are all other indirect emissions sources over which some control may be exerted. This system allows for greater certainty that double counting has been prevented while simultaneously allowing for the inclusion of sources over which local governments have the most control. The new protocol reporting standards will require the inclusion of all Scope 1 and 2 sources and encourages several optional Scope 3 sources. Under ICLEI’s previous guidance local governments were encouraged to include the same sources but emissions ...  more