The carbon we're not counting: accounting for Scope 3 carbon emissions

Alan Knight, April 2011. This report highlights that businesses can’t evaluate the nature, extent and value of greenhouse gas emission-associated risks and opportunities until high-quality information is available. And this means an investment in credible and complete carbon accounting. Credible information on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions allow a company to better understand what is happening inside its fences. But more significant is the carbon many businesses aren’t counting. Scope 3 emissions look across the full value chain. The report looks at three approaches to Scope 3 emissions; the Control Approach, the Influence Approach and the Engaged Approach, and makes recommendations to governments and business to encourage the widespread use of Scope 3 reporting.