Intro to Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG Accounting & Reporting
- Date
- 2024-02-15
- Host
- Work on Climate
About this event
Greenhouse gas accounting can feel full of jargon, edge cases, and competing frameworks. This session is designed to make Scope 1, 2, and 3 reporting understandable, practical, and useful for people who need a clear foundation without getting lost in technical language. If you have been hearing these terms in climate, sustainability, operations, procurement, or reporting conversations and want to understand what they actually mean, this event will help you build that baseline. You will leave with a stronger grasp of how emissions are categorized, why that categorization matters, and how reporting connects to real business decisions. About the Event This is an in-person introduction to Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG accounting and reporting. It is built for people who want a structured overview of the core concepts, common reporting logic, and the practical differences between direct emissions, purchased energy emissions, and value-chain emissions. Rather than assuming deep prior knowledge, the session starts with the basics and works toward a more applied understanding. The goal is to make the topic less abstract by breaking down the language, the categories, and the thinking behind how organizations measure and report emissions. Because this is also a community-oriented gathering, the format is a good fit for people who learn best by hearing concepts explained clearly and discussing them with others who are working through similar questions. Expect a welcoming environment that supports both learning and conversation. Whether you are attending from a professional interest, a personal interest, or a broader curiosity about climate reporting, the event is meant to help you get oriented quickly and confidently. What to Expect The session will focus on the fundamentals of greenhouse gas accounting and how Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 fit into reporting practice. You can expect a step-by-step introduction to the core categories and the reasoning behind them, rather than a rushed high-level summary. Topics likely to be explored include: Scope 1: direct emissions from sources an organization owns or controls Scope 2: indirect emissions associated with purchased electricity, steam, heating, or cooling Scope 3: indirect value-chain emissions, often the broadest and most complex category Reporting basics: why organizations separate emissions into scopes and how that supports transparency and comparability Common points of confusion: where people often mix categories, overcount, or misunderstand reporting boundaries You should also expect a practical framing of why Scope 3 gets so much attention and why it can be challenging for organizations to approach. For many attendees, this is where the subject starts to feel real: emissions accounting is not just about definitions, but about data, responsibility, and decision-making across operations and supply chains. As an in-person event, there is also a social and networking element. Beyond the core learning, you will have the chance to meet other people interested in climate literacy, reporting, and sustainability-related work, and to compare notes on where these concepts show up in real settings. Why Attend If you are new to GHG accounting, this event can save you time by giving you a clear framework early. Instead of piecing together definitions from articles, policy documents, and scattered online explainers, you will get a more coherent understanding of the three scopes and how they relate to one another. This matters because Scope 1, 2, and 3 are now common reference points across sustainability reporting, internal climate strategy, procurement conversations, and stakeholder communications. Even if you are not doing formal emissions inventories yourself, understanding the structure helps you ask better questions and interpret what organizations are saying when they discuss climate goals and disclosures. You may find value in attending if you want to: Build confidence with core terminology so you can follow sustainability conversations more easily Understand the logic behind emissions categories rather than memorizing labels Improve your ability to read reports and claims critically See how accounting and reporting connect to operational choices and supplier relationships Meet others working on adjacent challenges in a community setting For professionals, the takeaway is a stronger practical foundation. For learners and career explorers, the takeaway is a clearer map of a field that can otherwise seem opaque. In both cases, the event is meant to turn a complicated topic into something more legible and actionable. Practical Details This event takes place in person on Thursday, February 15 at 9:00 AM PST. If you prefer learning in a live setting where you can focus, engage directly, and connect with others in the room, this format should be a strong fit. Because the session starts in the morning, it is worth planning to arrive a little early so you can settle in and make the most of the discussion from the beginning. In-person events often move quickly once the session starts, especially when the material builds from one concept to the next. A few useful things to keep in mind: Bring your questions, especially if you have heard the terms Scope 1, 2, and 3 but are not sure how they apply in practice Come ready for both learning and conversation, since the event includes a community and networking dimension No advanced expertise is necessary to benefit from the session; curiosity and interest in the topic are enough If you want a grounded introduction to GHG accounting and reporting that helps you understand the basics without oversimplifying the subject, this is a strong place to start.
Who should attend
This is for you if you want a clear, practical starting point for understanding greenhouse gas accounting and how Scope 1, 2, and 3 show up in real-world reporting. - You are **new to sustainability, climate, or ESG topics** and want a solid foundation without needing prior technical experience. - You work in or alongside **operations, procurement, finance, reporting, strategy, or compliance** and want to better understand the emissions language increasingly used across teams. - You are part of a **company, nonprofit, startup, or community group** beginning to think more seriously about emissions measurement or climate accountability. - You have seen **Scope 1, 2, and 3** in reports, job descriptions, or conversations and want to finally understand the differences clearly. - You are exploring a **career shift into climate or sustainability** and want baseline knowledge that will help you navigate the field with more confidence. - You value **in-person learning and networking** and want to meet others who are also building their understanding of GHG accounting and reporting.