・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・A real-world example
・Why scope 3 is central?
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
How to measure carbon footprint?
This interactive activity explains how companies measure their carbon footprint. Click on the different elements to explore the content. To navigate through the activity, click “Next.”
NEXT
You can't reduce what you don't measure.
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
BACK
NEXT
GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol)The GHG Protocol is the leading international standard for measuring and managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Developed by the WRI and WBCSD, it provides a structured methodology for companies to account for their emissions across three categories: Scope 1 (direct emissions), Scope 2 (purchased energy), and Scope 3 (value chain emissions).In this course, we focus specifically on the GHG Protocol as the reference framework for carbon footprint measurement.
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
Measure, yes, but according to common rules.
The GHG Protocol is the leading international standard for measuring and managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Developed by the WRI and WBCSD, it provides a structured methodology for companies to account for their emissions across three categories: Scope 1 (direct emissions), Scope 2 (purchased energy), and Scope 3 (value chain emissions).In this course, we focus specifically on the GHG Protocol as the reference framework for carbon footprint measurement.
ISO 14064 is an international standard for the quantification, reporting,and verification of greenhouse gas emissions.It provides requirements for credible, auditable, and verifiablegreenhouse gas inventories and reduction claims.
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Title
GHG Protocol
Title
ISO 14064
Write a brief description here
Framework for structuring emissions strategies
Write a brief description here
Certification standard for emissions reporting
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
Not all emissions are located in the same place.
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
Here is a reminder of the different types of emissions that exist.
Adapted from GHG Protocol
click on the image to zoom in
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・A real-world example
・Why scope 3 is central?
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
The biggest impact is often outside the company walls
Scope 3 is where things get more complex. It accounts for all other indirect emissions that the company creates upstream and downstream—through its procurement activities, the use of its products, its waste disposal, and even its employee commuting. Scope 3 emissions often make up 70 to 90% of a business’s total carbon footprint, yet they’re the hardest to measure accurately.
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
A small business wants to measure its carbon footprint.
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
A small business wants to measure its carbon footprint.It collects data on fuel use, electricity consumption, employee commuting, and supply chain activities.Based on the GHG Protocol, emissions must be categorized into Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3.Drag each item to the appropriate scope.
Start•
BACK
Scope 1
Scope 2
Scope 3
Fuel used by company-owned vehicles
Natural gas burned in on-site boilers or furnaces
Employee commuting and business travel
Purchased district heating or steam
Purchased electricity used in offices or factories
Emissions from the production of purchased raw materials
Measuring means collecting data first
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
Before calculating emissions, companies must identify, collect, and structure the right activity data.
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
Emissions are not measured directly, they are calculated
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
To calculate the total impact of emissions, CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) is used as a unit of measurement. It allows the climate impact of different greenhouse gases to be expressed by comparing them to CO₂.
click on the image to zoom in
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
Explore the example here to see how a carbon footprint can be calculated. A company vehicle travels 20 km — use the information provided to understand how this distance is translated into CO₂ emissions and how the carbon footprint is estimated.
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
click on the image to zoom in
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
From Data to Verified Emissions
・Why scope 3 is central?
Measure
Verify
・A real-world example
Companies often use carbon accounting software to automate calculations and rely on third-party verification to ensure reliable reporting.
Disclose
The credibility of the data is essential.
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
Limits and Realities of Carbon Measurement
This process isn’t without its challenges. Data gaps often mean companies have to rely on estimates, especially for Scope 3. The complexity of global supply chains can make it difficult to gather accurate information. And for small and medium-sized enterprises, the cost of third-party verification and software can be a barrier. So, most companies do not measure their direct greenhouse gas emissions in real-time. they use a mix of estimations, periodic sampling, and calculations based on activity data and emissions factors. In fact, less than 10% of companies engage in continuous direct measurement.
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
So, who does measure directly?
Typically, it’s large industrial facilities—like power plants, chemical manufacturers, and refineries—that face regulatory requirements or have high emissions. These companies use sensors and meters to track emissions like CO₂, NOx, and methane in real-time, often because it’s required by law, such as under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) or the EPA’s GHG Reporting Program. And then there are the voluntary leaders—companies like Unilever or Microsoft—who invest in direct measurement to enhance transparency and meet their ambitious climate goals. For others, periodic sampling is more common. Factories, waste management sites, or companies in emissions-trading schemes might conduct quarterly or annual stack testing to measure exhaust gases.
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
The pressure to measure better is increasing
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
Technology is making measurement more accessible through cheaper sensors and IoT devices. At the same time, stricter regulations — such as the EU’s CSRD and the US SEC climate disclosure rules — are increasing reporting requirements. Growing investor and ESG pressure is also pushing companies to adopt more transparent, data-backed emissions monitoring.
click on the image to zoom in
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・A real-world example
・Why scope 3 is central?
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
You have completed this activity.You can now return to the course.
BACK
Understanding the three scopes is essential for building a credible carbon footprint. Many companies underestimate their emissions by focusing only on Scope 1 and 2,while Scope 3 often represents the largest share.
Next•
Measure
GoalCollect activity data and calculate emissions.ToolsGreenly · Sweep · SAP · Internal systems
To measure their carbon footprint effectively, businesses need a structured and standardized approach. International frameworks such as the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064 provide clear methodologies to account for direct and indirect emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3), ensuring consistency, comparability, and credibility. Informal estimates, focusing only on direct emissions, or relying solely on sensor data may provide partial insights, but they do not offer the comprehensive and standardized framework required for robust carbon accounting and transparent reporting.
Next
Verify
GoalEnsure reliability and compliance.MechanismThird-party audit · ISO 14064
Disclose
GoalCommunicate results to stakeholders.FrameworksCDP · GRI · CSRD
How do measure carbon footprint?_Master Version
Production digitale | HEC PARIS | FR
Created on March 17, 2026
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Microlearning: Teaching Innovation with AI
View
Microlearning: Design Learning Modules
View
Video: Responsible Use of Social Media and Internet
View
Mothers Days Card
View
Momentum: First Operational Steps
View
Momentum: Employee Introduction Presentation
View
Mind Map: The 4 Pillars of Success
Explore all templates
Transcript
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・A real-world example
・Why scope 3 is central?
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
How to measure carbon footprint?
This interactive activity explains how companies measure their carbon footprint. Click on the different elements to explore the content. To navigate through the activity, click “Next.”
NEXT
You can't reduce what you don't measure.
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
BACK
NEXT
GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol)The GHG Protocol is the leading international standard for measuring and managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Developed by the WRI and WBCSD, it provides a structured methodology for companies to account for their emissions across three categories: Scope 1 (direct emissions), Scope 2 (purchased energy), and Scope 3 (value chain emissions).In this course, we focus specifically on the GHG Protocol as the reference framework for carbon footprint measurement.
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
Measure, yes, but according to common rules.
The GHG Protocol is the leading international standard for measuring and managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Developed by the WRI and WBCSD, it provides a structured methodology for companies to account for their emissions across three categories: Scope 1 (direct emissions), Scope 2 (purchased energy), and Scope 3 (value chain emissions).In this course, we focus specifically on the GHG Protocol as the reference framework for carbon footprint measurement.
ISO 14064 is an international standard for the quantification, reporting,and verification of greenhouse gas emissions.It provides requirements for credible, auditable, and verifiablegreenhouse gas inventories and reduction claims.
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Title
GHG Protocol
Title
ISO 14064
Write a brief description here
Framework for structuring emissions strategies
Write a brief description here
Certification standard for emissions reporting
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
Not all emissions are located in the same place.
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
Here is a reminder of the different types of emissions that exist.
Adapted from GHG Protocol
click on the image to zoom in
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・A real-world example
・Why scope 3 is central?
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
The biggest impact is often outside the company walls
Scope 3 is where things get more complex. It accounts for all other indirect emissions that the company creates upstream and downstream—through its procurement activities, the use of its products, its waste disposal, and even its employee commuting. Scope 3 emissions often make up 70 to 90% of a business’s total carbon footprint, yet they’re the hardest to measure accurately.
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
A small business wants to measure its carbon footprint.
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
A small business wants to measure its carbon footprint.It collects data on fuel use, electricity consumption, employee commuting, and supply chain activities.Based on the GHG Protocol, emissions must be categorized into Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3.Drag each item to the appropriate scope.
Start•
BACK
Scope 1
Scope 2
Scope 3
Fuel used by company-owned vehicles
Natural gas burned in on-site boilers or furnaces
Employee commuting and business travel
Purchased district heating or steam
Purchased electricity used in offices or factories
Emissions from the production of purchased raw materials
Measuring means collecting data first
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
Before calculating emissions, companies must identify, collect, and structure the right activity data.
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
Emissions are not measured directly, they are calculated
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
To calculate the total impact of emissions, CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) is used as a unit of measurement. It allows the climate impact of different greenhouse gases to be expressed by comparing them to CO₂.
click on the image to zoom in
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
Explore the example here to see how a carbon footprint can be calculated. A company vehicle travels 20 km — use the information provided to understand how this distance is translated into CO₂ emissions and how the carbon footprint is estimated.
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
click on the image to zoom in
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
From Data to Verified Emissions
・Why scope 3 is central?
Measure
Verify
・A real-world example
Companies often use carbon accounting software to automate calculations and rely on third-party verification to ensure reliable reporting.
Disclose
The credibility of the data is essential.
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
Limits and Realities of Carbon Measurement
This process isn’t without its challenges. Data gaps often mean companies have to rely on estimates, especially for Scope 3. The complexity of global supply chains can make it difficult to gather accurate information. And for small and medium-sized enterprises, the cost of third-party verification and software can be a barrier. So, most companies do not measure their direct greenhouse gas emissions in real-time. they use a mix of estimations, periodic sampling, and calculations based on activity data and emissions factors. In fact, less than 10% of companies engage in continuous direct measurement.
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
So, who does measure directly?
Typically, it’s large industrial facilities—like power plants, chemical manufacturers, and refineries—that face regulatory requirements or have high emissions. These companies use sensors and meters to track emissions like CO₂, NOx, and methane in real-time, often because it’s required by law, such as under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) or the EPA’s GHG Reporting Program. And then there are the voluntary leaders—companies like Unilever or Microsoft—who invest in direct measurement to enhance transparency and meet their ambitious climate goals. For others, periodic sampling is more common. Factories, waste management sites, or companies in emissions-trading schemes might conduct quarterly or annual stack testing to measure exhaust gases.
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
The pressure to measure better is increasing
・Why scope 3 is central?
・A real-world example
Technology is making measurement more accessible through cheaper sensors and IoT devices. At the same time, stricter regulations — such as the EU’s CSRD and the US SEC climate disclosure rules — are increasing reporting requirements. Growing investor and ESG pressure is also pushing companies to adopt more transparent, data-backed emissions monitoring.
click on the image to zoom in
BACK
NEXT
・Headline
・Why measure your carbon footprint?
・Global standards
・The scopes 1,2 and 3
・A real-world example
・Why scope 3 is central?
・From activity to CO²e
・Understanding the roles of tools and audits
・Limits and realities of carbon measurements
・Futures trends
HOW DO MEASURECARBON FOOTPRINT?
You have completed this activity.You can now return to the course.
BACK
Understanding the three scopes is essential for building a credible carbon footprint. Many companies underestimate their emissions by focusing only on Scope 1 and 2,while Scope 3 often represents the largest share.
Next•
Measure
GoalCollect activity data and calculate emissions.ToolsGreenly · Sweep · SAP · Internal systems
To measure their carbon footprint effectively, businesses need a structured and standardized approach. International frameworks such as the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064 provide clear methodologies to account for direct and indirect emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3), ensuring consistency, comparability, and credibility. Informal estimates, focusing only on direct emissions, or relying solely on sensor data may provide partial insights, but they do not offer the comprehensive and standardized framework required for robust carbon accounting and transparent reporting.
Next
Verify
GoalEnsure reliability and compliance.MechanismThird-party audit · ISO 14064
Disclose
GoalCommunicate results to stakeholders.FrameworksCDP · GRI · CSRD