Direct emissions

Direct greenhouse gas emissions, also known as “Scope 1 emissions,” refer to all emissions that come from sources that can be attributed directly to a company. Examples include emissions from the combustion of heating oil at a company's sites or the combustion of fuel for a company's vehicle fleet.

Direct emissions, also known as "Scope 1 emissions," encompass all greenhouse gas emissions that arise directly from sources owned or controlled by a company. These emissions occur from various operational activities and are fully within the organization’s influence. Unlike indirect emissions, which result from external sources, direct emissions are a clear indicator of a company’s ecological footprint.Typical sources of direct emissions vary by sector.
In the industrial sector, these often arise from the combustion of fossil fuels in owned facilities such as boilers or furnaces. In the service sector, heating systems in office buildings and vehicles for maintenance and delivery are relevant sources. Agriculture exhibits specific emissions, especially from methane from ruminants and fertilizers. The energy sector is characterized by the combustion of fossil fuels for electricity generation and the emissions resulting from the extraction and processing of oil, natural gas, and coal.

The precise measurement and accounting of these emissions is crucial for effective climate management. Companies can achieve significant progress toward climate goals by identifying reduction potentials, such as switching to renewable energy or electrifying their vehicle fleets. Therefore, reducing direct emissions plays a central role in corporate climate protection strategies and is essential for developing credible and effective climate protection measures.