Scope 1 Emissions

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is primarily composed of methane (CH4) and small amounts of other gases such as ethane, propane, butane, and nitrogen. It is formed deep beneath the earth's surface over millions of years from the remains of plants and animals.

It is most commonly used onsite in boilers for space heating and generating hot water and steam but may also be used for cooking, for example in a canteen. Boilers are most commonly located in site plant rooms.

The information to answer this question, in order of suitability, is as follows (1 being the most suitable):

Kilowatt hour (kWh). This is a measure of total energy from natural gas that has been consumed at the site. If you are reporting in kWh, you will then need to specify if this is being reported in terms of net calorific value (Net CV) or gross calorific value (Gross CV).

Gross calorific value is the maximum amount of energy that can be obtained by burning one kg of a fuel. Gross calorific value is higher than net calorific value as this assumes that water vapour produced from burning the fuel condenses and releases useful energy. It is also known as higher heating value.

Net calorific value is the maximum amount of energy that can be obtained by burning one kg of a fuel. Net calorific value is lower than gross calorific value as the water vapour produced from burning fuel remains as vapour and does not release any useful energy. It is also known as lower heating value.

This can be confirmed by contacting the energy supplier. It is most common for energy billing to be based on Gross CV. If this cannot be found, then Gross CV should be assumed.

Cubic feet or cubic metres. The relevant unit measurement will be shown on the meter.

1hcf = 100ft3

This information can be provided by the plant or utilities engineer, or energy manager at the site.

The decarbonisation of heating systems is a major challenge in moving towards net zero emissions. It is therefore of interest to understand the proportion of gas use on-site that is used for heating, as this will provide an indication of the requirements for new fuels and processes in the long-term to achieve net zero.

Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a by-product of the petroleum refining process and the extraction of natural gas. LPG is a mixture of propane and butane, with propane being the most common component. It is a colourless, odourless gas in its natural state, but is often compressed and stored in liquid form under moderate pressure to increase its energy density and enable its transportation.

LPG is used for heating, cooking, portable heaters, welding, and powering forklifts and other small vehicles. It is most commonly supplied to the site in cylinders or delivered by freight and stored in a tank onsite.

The information to answer this question, in order of suitability, is as follows (1 being the most suitable):

Tank level gauge - The most suitable method will be records of tank level gauge or cylinder consumption. If LPG is stored onsite in a tank, the level gauge can be used to track consumption. This needs to consider any new supply of gas that has been added to the tank in between measuring periods.

Cylinders - Alternatively, LPG consumption can be found from the number of cylinders consumed onsite. The cylinder size will be displayed on the cylinder, and the number of cylinders consumed during the reporting period should be recorded.

The site's plant or utilities engineer will be able to confirm where on site LPG is stored in a tank or cylinders and the record of consumption.

Supplier delivery invoice - the LPG supplier invoice will state the volume or mass of LPG delivered to the site.

The finance team at the reporting site will be able to provide the supplier invoice for the relevant period.

If LPG is only delivered once a year by the fuel supplier, the delivery amount can be taken as the consumption for that reporting year.

LPG can be reported in litres or tonnes.

Diesel is a type of fuel that is commonly used in diesel engines, which are found in many types of vehicles and heavy equipment, as well as in industrial and commercial settings. It is a liquid fuel that is derived from crude oil through a refining process.

Vehicles associated with the site refers to vehicles that are stored at the site when not in use. This should not include vehicles from any other site's in the organisation that are temporarily visiting.

Diesel will be used for vehicles associated with the site in road vehicles that the company owns or operates, and for off-road vehicles such as maintenance vehicles, tractors, excavators.

The information to answer this question, in order of suitability, is as follows (1 being the most suitable):

Refuel records - this can be obtained from fuel cards and expense claims. The diesel consumption in litres should be stated on the fuel card record, or receipt supporting an expense claim.

Fuel card records can be provided by the finance team or the site's vehicle fleet manager.

Onsite fuelling station - if there is a fuelling station onsite, records of diesel dispensed to vehicles in litres should be obtained. This will provide the information related to diesel consumption for any off-road vehicles onsite. The supplier invoice for delivery to the station can alternatively be used to obtain diesel consumption through the litres of diesel delivered to the site.

The site's utilities engineer, or finance team will be able to provide this information.

If diesel is only delivered once a year by the fuel supplier, the delivery amount can be taken as the consumption for that reporting year.

Distance travelled - if the volume is not available, diesel consumption can be estimated from records of distance travelled. Online maps can be used to estimate the distance for a route travelled by the vehicle that consumes diesel. This should then be multiplied by the number of trips made for this route to calculate distance.

The fleet manager should be able to provide this information.

Spend - if neither of the previous methods are available, the spend on diesel obtained from expense claims and supplier invoices can be used. This should include VAT to align with the conversion factor and avoid errors in under reporting.

This information can be provided by the finance team, or if applicable the site's vehicle fleet manager.

Diesel can be reported in the following units:

This question refers to diesel that is used onsite for any purpose other than vehicle fuel, diesel is commonly used onsite as a heating fuel and in back-up generators in the event of a power cut. Please do not include combined heat and power (CHP) fuel.

The information to answer this question, in order of suitability, is as follows (1 being the most suitable):

Tank level gauge - if diesel is stored onsite in a tank, the level gauge can be used to track consumption. This needs to consider any new supply of fuel that has been added to the tank in between measuring periods. The site's plant or utilities engineer will be able to confirm where on site diesel is stored and the record of consumption.

Supplier delivery invoice - the supplier invoice will state the amount of diesel delivered to the site and/ or the associated cost.

The finance team at the reporting site will be able to provide the supplier invoice for the relevant period.

If diesel is only delivered once a year by the fuel supplier, the delivery amount can be taken as the consumption for that reporting year.

Diesel can be reported in litres or £GBP equivalent.

Petrol, also known as gasoline, is a type of liquid fuel that is used to power internal combustion engines in vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, and small planes. It is derived from crude oil through a refining process.

Vehicles associated with the site refers to vehicles that are stored at the site when not in use. This should not include vehicles from any other site's in the site's parent organisation that are temporarily visiting. Petrol will be used for vehicles associated with the site in road vehicles that the company owns or operates.

The information to answer this question, in order of suitability, is as follows (1 being the most suitable):

Refuel records - this can be obtained from fuel cards and expense claims. The petrol consumption in litres should be stated on the fuel card record, or receipt supporting an expense claim.

Fuel card records can be provided by the finance team or the site's vehicle fleet manager.

Onsite fuelling station - if there is a fuelling station onsite, records of petrol dispensed to vehicles in litres should be obtained. This will provide the information related to petrol consumption for any off-road vehicles onsite. The supplier invoice for delivery to the station can alternatively be used to obtain petrol consumption through the litres of diesel delivered to the site.

The site's utilities engineer, or finance team will be able to provide this information.

If petrol is only delivered once a year by the fuel supplier, the delivery amount can be taken as the consumption for that reporting year.

Distance travelled - if the volume is not available, petrol consumption can be estimated from records of distance travelled. Online maps can be used to estimate the distance for a route travelled by the vehicle that consumes petrol. This should then be multiplied by the number of trips made for this route to calculate distance.

The fleet manager should be able to provide this information.

Spend - if neither of the previous methods are available, the spend on petrol obtained from expense claims and supplier invoices can be used. This should include VAT to align with the conversion factor and avoid errors in under reporting.

This information can be provided by the finance team, or if applicable the site's vehicle fleet manager.

Petrol can be reported in the following units:

This question refers to petrol that is used onsite for any purpose other than vehicle fuel, petrol is commonly used onsite as a fuel for back-up generators in the event of a power cut. Please do not include combined heat and power (CHP) fuel.

The information to answer this question, in order of suitability, is as follows (1 being the most suitable):

Tank level gauge - if petrol is stored onsite in a tank, the level gauge can be used to track consumption. This needs to consider any new supply of fuel that has been added to the tank in between measuring periods.

The site's plant or utilities engineer will be able to confirm where on site petrol is stored and the record of consumption.

Supplier delivery invoice - the supplier invoice will state the amount of petrol delivered to the site and/ or the associated cost.

The finance team at the reporting site will be able to provide the supplier invoice for the relevant period. If petrol is only delivered once a year by the fuel supplier, the delivery amount can be taken as the consumption for that reporting year.

Petrol can be reported in litres or £GBP equivalent.

Heating oil, also known as kerosene, is a type of fuel that is used to heat homes, buildings, and other indoor spaces. It is a liquid fuel that is typically derived from crude oil, and is similar in composition to diesel fuel.

Kerosene is most commonly used for heating in older sites or sites that do not have a natural gas grid connection. It is commonly stored in a tank onsite and consumed in the heating system.

The information to answer this question, in order of suitability, is as follows (1 being the most suitable):

Tank level gauge - if kerosene is stored onsite in a tank, the level gauge can be used to track consumption. This needs to consider any new supply of fuel that has been added to the tank in between measuring periods.

The site's plant or utilities engineer will be able to confirm where on site kerosene is stored and the record of consumption.

Supplier delivery invoice - the kerosene supplier invoice will state the mass or volume of kerosene delivered to the site.

The finance team at the reporting site will be able to provide the supplier invoice for the relevant period.

If kerosene is only delivered once a year by the fuel supplier, the delivery amount can be taken as the consumption for that reporting year.

Kerosene can be reported in litres or tonnes.

Fuel oil is a type of liquid fuel that is derived from crude oil and used primarily in industrial and commercial settings, such as for powering large ships or for heating and generating electricity in power plants. It is also commonly used as a backup fuel for home heating systems in areas where natural gas is not available.

Fuel oil is commonly used as a boiler fuel in steam boilers and in generators that act as a power supply back-up in case of a power cut.

The information to answer this question, in order of suitability, is as follows (1 being the most suitable):

Tank level gauge - if fuel oil is stored onsite in a tank, the level gauge can be used to track consumption. This needs to consider any new supply of fuel that has been added to the tank in between measuring periods.

The site's plant or utilities engineer will be able to confirm where on site fuel oil is stored and the record of consumption.

Supplier delivery invoice - the fuel oil supplier invoice will state the mass or volume of fuel oil delivered to the site.

The finance team at the reporting site will be able to provide the supplier invoice for the relevant period.

If fuel oil is only delivered once a year by the fuel supplier, the delivery amount can be taken as the consumption for that reporting year.

Fuel oil can be reported in litres or tonnes.

Gas oil is a type of fuel oil that is derived from crude oil through a refining process, and is commonly used in industrial and commercial settings for heating, powering engines, and generating electricity.

Gas oil, also known as red diesel, is commonly used as a fuel for off-road vehicles such as tractors and trucks. It can also be used for heating and in back-up generators.

The information to answer this question, in order of suitability, is as follows (1 being the most suitable):

Tank level gauge - if gas oil is stored onsite in a tank, the level gauge can be used to track consumption. This needs to consider any new supply of fuel that has been added to the tank in between measuring periods.

The site's plant or utilities engineer will be able to confirm where on site gas oil is stored and the record of consumption.

Supplier delivery invoice - the gas oil supplier invoice will state the mass or volume of gas oil delivered to the site.

The finance team at the reporting site will be able to provide the supplier invoice for the relevant period.

If gas oil is only delivered once a year by the fuel supplier, the delivery amount can be taken as the consumption for that reporting year.

Gas oil can be reported in litres or tonnes.

A CHP system, or Combined Heat and Power system, is a type of energy generation system that simultaneously produces electricity and useful heat from a single fuel source.

In a CHP system, fuel is burned to generate electricity using a generator, and the waste heat from the combustion process is captured and used to generate hot water or steam for heating or other industrial processes. The heat can also be used for cooling through absorption chillers or other cooling technologies.

CHP systems are used in a wide range of applications, including commercial and industrial facilities, hospitals, universities, and district heating systems. They can be powered by a variety of fuels.

A CHP unit will be located in the site's plant room.

The site should consult with plant or utilities engineers to understand if there is a CHP system onsite and the type of fuel(s) consumed in the CHP.

The amount of fuel consumed in the CHP can be obtained from meter records - the CHP will have a fuel supply meter providing this information.

The plant or utilities engineer can provide the fuel supply meter readings.

For further guidance, please refer to the 'Natural Gas', 'Heating oil/kerosene' and 'Diesel' sections.

The fuel consumption should be entered for all relevant CHP fuels.

If the CHP consumes more than one fuel, data should be entered for all those that apply.

Natural gas can be reported in terms of energy, in kWh, or in terms of volume in cubic metres, m3, and hundreds cubic feet, hcf.

Biomass (wood pellets) should be reported in tonnes.

Heating oil/kerosene can be reported in litres or tonnes.

Diesel can be reported in litres or tonnes.

Biomass refers to organic matter that can be used as a source of energy.

Biomass is commonly used onsite in steam boilers and for space heating. This question excludes any biomass that is consumed in a CHP.

The supplier invoice can be used to obtain biomass consumption, as it will state the amount of biomass delivered to the site.

The site's finance team will be able to provide the invoice for the relevant reporting period.

The biomass should be reported by physical state of the wood consumed. Wood logs, the largest form of wood fuel, wood chips, which are logs cut into smaller cubes, or wood pellets, the smallest form, which have been compressed.

The consumption information should be entered for all relevant biomass types in tonnes.

If more than one biomass type is used, data should be entered for all those that apply.

Refrigerants are substances that transfer heat from one location to another. They are typically liquids or gases that have low boiling points and are able to absorb heat when they evaporate and release heat when they condense.

These fluids are used in cooling systems such as air-conditioning systems and cold storage.

The information will be provided in the equipment that uses refrigerants' maintenance record. As part of the required periodic maintenance for refrigeration systems, a contractor will top-up the refrigerant fluid that has leaked from the system. This maintenance record will state the refrigerant used in the system and the amount that has leaked can be reported as the amount added to the system by the contractor.

The site's utilities engineer, or maintenance engineer will be able to help find this information and previous records of maintenance.

The refrigerants onsite should be selected from their categories, and the consumption information should be entered for all relevant refrigerants used in tonnes, a measure of consumption by mass.

If more than one refrigerant is used, data should be entered for all those that apply.