Scope 1 Emissions are direct greenhouse gas emissions produced from sources owned or controlled by a building or organization, primarily from burning fossil fuels on-site. These emissions occur at the point of combustion and include natural gas heating, propane use, and fuel oil consumption in HVAC systems, boilers, and generators. Scope 1 represents the most direct emissions responsibility for building operators.
Technical Details
Scope 1 emissions are calculated by multiplying fuel consumption volume by the appropriate emission factor. Natural gas combustion produces approximately 0.185 kg CO2e per therm or 5.3 kg CO2e per million Btu. Oil heating generates about 10.2 kg CO2e per gallon burned. For most commercial buildings, Scope 1 emissions account for 20-40% of total carbon footprint, with HVAC and hot water systems representing the largest portion. Refrigerant leakage from air conditioning units also counts as Scope 1 emissions due to high global warming potential.
Reduction Strategies
Lowering Scope 1 emissions requires transitioning away from fossil fuels through heat pump installation, connecting to district heating systems, or switching to renewable fuels. Energy efficiency improvements like insulation and air sealing reduce heating loads and associated emissions.