This will impact some businesses, management, boards and audit committees – in addition to disclosures for Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), the ISSB voted to also include Scope 3 GHG. Scope 1 and Scope 2 disclosures are already difficult – Scope 3 will add significant additional difficulties and uncertainties. You can read the announcement on the IFRS website at https://www.ifrs.org/news-and-events/news/2022/10/issb-unanimously-confirms-scope-3-ghg-emissions-disclosure-requirements-with-strong-application-support-among-key-decisions/.
The onward march continues for environmental, climate and emission compliance, disclosures and possible liability. I have also provided below from the National Grid website a brief summary description of Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions – you will quickly understand how Scope 3 adds additional difficulties and uncertainties (and arguably might even be speculative in nature).
The following summary discussion of Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 greenhouse emissions (GHG) is from the National Grid website:
Why are there three scopes of emissions?
In order to take action to reduce emissions, we need to understand and measure where they’re sourced from in the first place.
The three scopes are a way of categorising the different kinds of emissions a company creates in its own operations and in its wider ‘value chain’ (its suppliers and customers).
It’s not clear why they’re called ‘scopes’ rather than ‘groups’ or ‘types’ but the name comes from the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which is the world’s most widely-used greenhouse gas accounting standard.
As the Greenhouse Gas Protocol itself puts it: “Developing a full [greenhouse gas] emissions inventory – incorporating Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions – enables companies to understand their full value chain emissions and focus their efforts on the greatest reduction opportunities”.
Definitions of scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions
Essentially, scope 1 and 2 are those emissions that are owned or controlled by a company, whereas scope 3 emissions are a consequence of the activities of the company but occur from sources not owned or controlled by it.
Scope 1 emissions
Scope 1 covers emissions from sources that an organisation owns or controls directly – for example from burning fuel in our fleet of vehicles (if they’re not electrically-powered).
Scope 2 emissions
Scope 2 are emissions that a company causes indirectly when the energy it purchases and uses is produced. For example, for our electric fleet vehicles the emissions from the generation of the electricity they’re powered by would fall into this category.
Scope 3 emissions
Scope 3 encompasses emissions that are not produced by the company itself, and not the result of activities from assets owned or controlled by them, but by those that it’s indirectly responsible for, up and down its value chain. An example of this is when we buy, use and dispose of products from suppliers. Scope 3 emissions include all sources not within the scope 1 and 2 boundaries.
Thank you for reading. Please pass this along to other people who would be interested.
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Best to you,
David Tate, Esq. (and inactive CPA)
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Remember, every case and situation is different. It is important to obtain and evaluate all of the evidence that is available, and to apply that evidence to the applicable standards and laws. You do need to consult with an attorney and other professionals about your particular situation. This post is not a solicitation for legal or other services inside of or outside of California, and, of course, this post only is a summary of information that changes from time to time, and does not apply to any particular situation or to your specific situation. So . . . you cannot rely on this post for your situation or as legal or other professional advice or representation.
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David Tate, Esq. (and inactive California CPA) – practicing only as an attorney in California.
David W. Tate, Esq. (and inactive CPA) 