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Emissions Calculation

Scope 1, 2 & 3 Emissions Calculation for UK SRS S2

Complete methodology guide for calculating greenhouse gas emissions following GHG Protocol standards to meet UK SRS S2 climate disclosure requirements.

📷 Matthias Heyde

GHG Protocol Methodology for UK SRS S2

UK SRS S2 requires companies to calculate and disclose their Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions following GHG Protocol Corporate Standard methodology. This provides a comprehensive carbon footprint across all business operations and value chain activities.

Understanding the Three Scopes of Emissions

Scope 1: Direct Emissions

Emissions from sources owned or controlled by the company

  • • Fuel combustion (heating, vehicles)
  • • Industrial processes
  • • Refrigerant leaks
  • • Company fleet emissions

Scope 2: Energy Indirect

Emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling

  • • Purchased electricity
  • • Purchased steam
  • • Purchased heating/cooling
  • • Location-based vs market-based

Scope 3: Value Chain

All other indirect emissions in the value chain

  • • Purchased goods & services
  • • Business travel
  • • Employee commuting
  • • Use of sold products

Scope 1: Direct Emissions Calculation

Stationary Combustion

Emissions = Fuel Consumption × Emission Factor × Oxidation Factor

Data Required

  • • Fuel consumption (litres, cubic meters)
  • • Fuel type (natural gas, oil, coal)
  • • Equipment efficiency data

Emission Factors

  • • Natural gas: 2.04 kg CO₂/cubic meter
  • • Diesel: 2.68 kg CO₂/litre
  • • Use BEIS factors for UK

Mobile Combustion

Emissions = Distance Travelled × Fuel Economy × Emission Factor

Fleet Data Collection

  • • Vehicle mileage records
  • • Fuel consumption data
  • • Vehicle type and engine size

Calculation Methods

  • • Fuel-based: litres consumed × factor
  • • Distance-based: km × efficiency × factor
  • • Spend-based: cost × emission factor

Scope 2: Energy Indirect Emissions

Location-Based Method

Emissions = kWh × Grid Emission Factor
  • • Uses average grid emission factors
  • • UK grid factor: ~0.193 kg CO₂/kWh (2024)
  • • Simpler data requirements
  • • Required baseline method

Market-Based Method

Emissions = kWh × Contract Emission Factor
  • • Uses supplier-specific factors
  • • Reflects renewable energy purchases
  • • REGOs and PPAs recognised
  • • Additional disclosure encouraged

Scope 3: Value Chain Emissions (15 Categories)

Upstream Categories

1. Purchased Goods & Services:

Emissions from production of purchased goods/services

2. Capital Goods:

Emissions from production of capital equipment

3. Fuel & Energy:

Upstream emissions from fuel and energy

4. Transportation:

Upstream transport and distribution

5. Waste:

Disposal and treatment of waste

6. Business Travel:

Employee travel for business purposes

7. Employee Commuting:

Employee travel between home and work

8. Leased Assets:

Upstream leased assets not in Scope 1 & 2

Downstream Categories

9. Transportation:

Downstream transport and distribution

10. Processing:

Processing of intermediate products

11. Use of Products:

End-use of sold goods and services

12. End-of-Life:

Disposal of products at end of life

13. Leased Assets:

Downstream leased assets

14. Franchises:

Operations of franchises

15. Investments:

Investments not included in Scope 1 & 2

Data Collection Framework

Primary Data (Most Accurate)

  • • Direct measurement from suppliers
  • • Actual fuel consumption records
  • • Product-specific carbon footprints
  • • Site-specific electricity consumption

Secondary Data

  • • Industry average emission factors
  • • Published databases (BEIS, EPA)
  • • Supplier sustainability reports
  • • Life cycle assessment studies

Proxy Data (Last Resort)

  • • Spend-based emission factors
  • • Revenue or employee ratios
  • • Geographic averages
  • • Estimated activity data

Data Quality & Verification

Quality Assurance Steps

  • • Data validation and reasonableness checks
  • • Consistency with previous years
  • • Completeness assessment across scopes
  • • Documentation of methodologies
  • • Regular data quality reviews

UK SRS S2 Requirements

  • • Follow GHG Protocol Corporate Standard
  • • Report Scope 1 and 2 emissions (mandatory)
  • • Report Scope 3 if material (encouraged)
  • • Use UK BEIS emission factors where possible
  • • Document methodology and assumptions

Calculate Your UK SRS S2 Emissions

Get expert support for comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions calculation following GHG Protocol methodology to meet UK SRS S2 requirements.

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