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Emission ClassificationScopes 1, 2 and 3

To ensure transparency and international comparability, Emetrix organizes the carbon footprint following the global GHG Protocol standard (Greenhouse Gas Protocol).

Understanding these scopes is key to identifying where your operation generates the greatest impacts and where the best improvement opportunities exist.

GHG Protocol Corporate StandardISO 14064-1
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Scope 1

Direct Emissions

Scope 2

Indirect Energy Emissions

Scope 3

Other Indirect Emissions (Value Chain)

The three scopes around the organizational boundaryUpstreamScope 3Purchased inputsCapital goodsContracted freightTravel and commutingYour organizationScope 1Stationary combustionMobile combustionProcess emissionsFugitive emissionsDownstreamScope 3Product freightCustomer processingProduct useEnd of lifeScope 2 · purchased electricitygenerated outside, reported as yoursThe boundary is control, not distance: your Scope 1 is your customer's Scope 3.
Boundary drawn with the operational control approach of the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard. Scopes 1 and 2 are required; Scope 3 is declared category by category.
Scope 1

Direct Emissions

These are emissions that occur in sources owned or controlled by the company: stationary and mobile combustion, process emissions and gas leaks.

Nitrogen Fertilization

In an agricultural operation it is usually the main source. When urea or other fertilizers are applied, part of the nitrogen is released into the atmosphere as Nitrous Oxide (N₂O), a gas with a warming potential 273 times higher than CO₂.

Fuel Consumption

Emissions from burning diesel or gasoline in own machinery (tractors, sprayers) and company vehicles.

Land Use Change (LUC)

If a site was converted from native forest or grassland to cropland in the last 20 years, carbon released by soil and biomass is accounted for here. The detection and classification of current land status is performed through Sentinel-2 (Copernicus / ESA) imagery analysis: the fCOVER index (canopy cover fraction, ESA SNAP biophysical processor) identifies active vegetation density, while the BSI (Bare Soil Index) detects bare soil presence. This satellite information complements user-declared data and allows validation of the assigned land use category.

Refrigerant Leaks

Fugitive emissions from air conditioning equipment, cold rooms and industrial refrigeration systems.

Typical Scope 1

Example in citrus farming: ~60% of total impact

Fertilizers~40%
Fuels~15%
LUC~5%
Scope 2

Indirect Energy Emissions

It corresponds to emissions generated by production of the electricity that the company purchases from the external grid.

Pumping and Irrigation

Energy consumed by water extraction and distribution pumps, both on farms and at the plant.

Industrial Operation

Electricity used for lighting, process lines, cold rooms and plant machinery.

Typical Scope 2

Example in citrus farming: ~20% of total impact

Irrigation systems~12%
Industrial operation~8%

Emetrix calculates this impact using the national grid emission factor, ensuring data specific to your plant location.

Scope 3

Other Indirect Emissions (Value Chain)

This scope is usually the hidden footprint. These are emissions that occur in the value chain as a consequence of company activities, but in sources the company does not own.

Input Manufacturing

The impact of producing everything the company buys — raw materials, fertilizers, phytosanitary products, packaging — before it reaches the gate, including extraction and processing.

Packaging Materials

Production of the cardboard, wood, pallets, straps and plastic films used to condition the product.

Third-Party Transport

Contracted freight logistics to move inputs to the establishment and product between sites.

Waste Management

Impact generated by final disposal or treatment of waste generated in the production process.

Typical Scope 3

Example in citrus farming: ~20% of total impact

Packaging materials~8%
Input manufacturing~7%
Transport~5%

Key Fact:

Example in fresh fruit exports: Scope 3 — above all the packaging cardboard — can reach 40% of the total footprint.

Integrated view

Why does Emetrix measure all three scopes?

European regulations (Green Deal) and the requirements of large buyers demand reporting across the complete life cycle (Cradle-to-Gate).

Thanks to our matrix calculation engine and connection to the Ecoinvent database, Emetrix can break down with scientific precision how much of your impact comes from your own operating decisions (Scope 1) and how much you are inheriting from your suppliers (Scope 3).

Emetrix lets you visualize this data

to negotiate with more sustainable suppliers and make strategic decisions based on scientific evidence.

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