Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions Explained
Learn how emissions are categorized for organizations.
Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions Explained is designed to help learners build a clear, practical understanding of the topic—without drowning in jargon. We start by grounding the “why” and the “what”: the key definitions, the mental models you’ll keep using, and the context that makes the rest of climate learning click.
You’ll explore the big ideas that matter most: scope definitions and examples, why scope 3 is big, data collection and reporting basics. Instead of treating these as abstract concepts, the course connects them to everyday decisions and real-world examples so you can recognize them in news, workplace conversations, and the choices you make at home.
We also go deeper into: using scopes to plan reductions. Along the way, you’ll practice translating complexity into simple explanations, so you can communicate confidently and spot common misconceptions before they trip you up.
By the end, you’ll be able to categorize emissions into Scope 1, 2, and 3 and use that framework to plan reduction priorities, and you’ll have a few concrete next steps to keep momentum going.
Course Lessons
Scope 1: Direct Emissions You Control
This lesson, “Scope 1: Direct Emissions You Control,” is a focused module within the course “Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions Explained.” You’ll start by grounding the topic with define scope 1 with plain examples and company vehicles, boilers, onsite fuel use, so the core idea is clear before moving on. Next, the lesson connects the concept to practical context by exploring why “operational control” matters and data you need to measure scope 1, using plain-language explanations and a supportive visual. You’ll also work through a real-world example that helps you apply the idea to everyday decisions or common climate conversations. By the end, you should be able to summarize the lesson’s main point in your own words and answer a short quiz that checks true understanding—not memorization.
Scope 2: Purchased Electricity and Energy
This lesson, “Scope 2: Purchased Electricity and Energy,” is a focused module within the course “Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions Explained.” You’ll start by grounding the topic with what scope 2 covers (electricity, heat, steam) and location-based vs. market-based conceptually, so the core idea is clear before moving on. Next, the lesson connects the concept to practical context by exploring renewable energy claims and what they mean and why scope 2 varies by grid mix, using plain-language explanations and a supportive visual. You’ll also work through a real-world example that helps you apply the idea to everyday decisions or common climate conversations. By the end, you should be able to summarize the lesson’s main point in your own words and answer a short quiz that checks true understanding—not memorization.
Scope 3: Supply Chain and Value Chain
This lesson, “Scope 3: Supply Chain and Value Chain,” is a focused module within the course “Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions Explained.” You’ll start by grounding the topic with why scope 3 is often largest and upstream vs. downstream categories (simple), so the core idea is clear before moving on. Next, the lesson connects the concept to practical context by exploring examples: purchased goods, shipping, product use and estimating vs. measuring: how companies start, using plain-language explanations and a supportive visual. You’ll also work through a real-world example that helps you apply the idea to everyday decisions or common climate conversations. By the end, you should be able to summarize the lesson’s main point in your own words and answer a short quiz that checks true understanding—not memorization.
Collecting Data Without Getting Stuck
This lesson, “Collecting Data Without Getting Stuck,” is a focused module within the course “Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions Explained.” You’ll start by grounding the topic with start with material categories and proxies and supplier engagement and questionnaires (overview), so the core idea is clear before moving on. Next, the lesson connects the concept to practical context by exploring activity data vs. spend-based estimates (simple) and improving quality over time (maturity model), using plain-language explanations and a supportive visual. You’ll also work through a real-world example that helps you apply the idea to everyday decisions or common climate conversations. By the end, you should be able to summarize the lesson’s main point in your own words and answer a short quiz that checks true understanding—not memorization.
Using Scopes to Build a Reduction Plan
This lesson, “Using Scopes to Build a Reduction Plan,” is a focused module within the course “Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions Explained.” You’ll start by grounding the topic with hotspot analysis and prioritization and setting targets tied to the biggest sources, so the core idea is clear before moving on. Next, the lesson connects the concept to practical context by exploring choosing interventions (efficiency, procurement, design) and tracking progress and updating baselines, using plain-language explanations and a supportive visual. You’ll also work through a real-world example that helps you apply the idea to everyday decisions or common climate conversations. By the end, you should be able to summarize the lesson’s main point in your own words and answer a short quiz that checks true understanding—not memorization.