What are greenhouse gases?
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases in the atmosphere that trap heat — kind of like a blanket around the Earth. Without them, our planet would be too cold to live on. They are usually referred to as GHGs, and the name comes from greenhouses because the gases behave in a similar way to greenhouses. GHGs let the sunlight in and heat the atmosphere by retaining some of that energy.
But today, we have too much of these gases, mostly due to human activity, and it is overheating the planet. Think of it like this: the blanket’s getting too thick, and the Earth is getting too warm.
The main GHGs are:
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Carbon dioxide (CO₂) – from burning fossil fuels (e.g. petrol, diesel, gas, coal).
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Methane (CH₄) – from agriculture, landfills, and gas leaks.
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Nitrous oxide (N₂O) – from fertilizers and agriculture.
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Fluorinated gases – from refrigeration, air conditioning, and industrial processes (they're synthetic but super potent).
What does that mean for you and your business?
As a business, you contribute to greenhouse gas emissions through your everyday activities. You might not realize it, but even small operations add up. For example:
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Energy use in your office or building (electricity, heating, etc.).
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Business travel (flights, cars).
- Employee commuting (cars etc)
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Suppliers and materials (how your goods are produced and transported).
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Waste (how much and how it's managed).
These emissions are grouped into three categories, called "Scopes".
The 3 “Scopes” of emissions
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Scope 1: Direct emissions
These are emissions from things you own or control directly.
Example: A company car that runs on petrol. -
Scope 2: Indirect emissions from energy
These are emissions from the energy you buy (like electricity).
Example: Heating your office or running computers. -
Scope 3: Other indirect emissions
These come from your supply chain and business operations you don’t directly control.
Example: Delivery services, employee commuting, or even the products you buy.
Scope 3 can be the biggest chunk, but also the trickiest to measure and reduce. It is common to start with Scope 1 and 2, and build up from there.