Measure, Understand, and Reduce your GHG Emissions

This toolkit helps Canadian organizations understand greenhouse gases (GHGs), collect and interpret GHG data, calculate a robust GHG baseline, and design practical GHG emission reduction strategies. It connects core concepts like the greenhouse effect, climate change, global warming potential (GWP), carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e), and GHG accounting to real-world actions that support net-zero goals.

Gathering GHG Data

Scope 1 Emissions Data Sources

What are Scope 1 emissions?

Scope 1 emissions include emissions from sources directly owned or controlled by the reporting company. These include:

Emissions from on-site fossil fuel combustion for heating, cooling, water heating, cooking, manufacturing, or energy production
Emissions from fossil fuel-powered vehicles owned or controlled by the reporting company
Fugitive emissions (leaks) of refrigerant gases from on-site refrigeration and air conditioning units
Emissions released during any on-site manufacturing chemical processes
Emissions from agricultural activities owned or controlled by the reporting company

Common data sources for Scope 1 emissions

Utility bills (natural gas, propane, oil, biomass purchases)
Fuel purchase/delivery invoices (propane, diesel, gasoline, natural gas, oil, coal, biomass pellets)
Hydrogen supply invoices with energy content/GHG disclosure

Other examples of data sources for Scope 1 emissions

Heating	On-site metering records for gas or fuel tanks System operating logs or fuel consumption records for combined heat and power (CHP) units
Cooling	Generator/chiller fuel use logs Plant operational logs for CHP or absorption units Maintenance records documenting run hours and fuel consumption
Water heating	Equipment service logs with usage and efficiency notes
Cooking	Purchase receipts for charcoal, wood, or biomass Maintenance logs for food service equipment Fuel use logs for mobile catering trucks
Direct fossil fuel combustion for manufacturing	Production process logs (fuel input per unit of output) On-site metering systems on kilns/dryers Industry-specific production data (tonnes of clinker, asphalt, or aluminum)
On-site energy production	Generator/turbine operating logs (hours run, fuel use) Biogas flow meters or production logs Electricity generation records (MWh produced vs. fuel consumed)
Outdoor equipment	Equipment logbooks (hours run, fuel use) Maintenance/servicing reports with consumption data Bulk storage tank withdrawal logs
Transportation	Fleet fuel purchase records (invoices, fuel cards) Odometer/telematics data for mileage and fuel use Expense reports for fuel purchases Bulk fuel tank withdrawal logs Aircraft/ship bunkering fuel records Pipeline compressor run-hour logs with fuel metering
Fugitive emissions	Inventory of equipment containing high-GWP gases (e.g., chillers, switchgear) Refrigerant purchase and top-up records (kg purchased/used) Technician service logs Maintenance reports for HVAC and industrial cooling systems Leak detection and repair (LDAR) program reports SF₆ inventory and refill logs for switchgear Gas utility or equipment manufacturer data for unburned methane rates
Manufacturing chemical reactions	Production records (e.g., tonnes of clinker, lime, steel produced) Process logs (raw material input/output) Industry emission factors (tonnes CO₂ per tonne product) from IPCC or national inventories Laboratory chemical analysis, if available
Agricultural activities	Animal headcounts by type (cows, sheep, goats) Feed intake or production statistics Manure management system logs (lagoon volume, storage type) Fertilizer purchase and application records Farm operation logs for land clearing or crop residue burning Agricultural extension services or IPCC Tier 1 factors if direct data is unavailable

Where can I find more information on Scope 1 emission data sources?

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, Revised Edition (2004) https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/standards/ghg-protocol-revised.pdf

Scope 1 and Scope 2 Inventory Guidance (US EPA) https://www.epa.gov/climateleadership/scope-1-and-scope-2-inventory-guidance

Reconnaissance des terres

Dans un esprit de respect, de réciprocité et de vérité, nous honorons et reconnaissons Moh’kinsstis, le territoire traditionnel du Traité 7 et les pratiques orales de la confédération des Pieds-Noirs : Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, ainsi que les nations Îyâxe Nakoda et Tsuut’ina. Nous reconnaissons que ce territoire abrite la Nation métisse de l’Alberta, la région 3 au sein de la patrie historique des Métis du Nord-Ouest. Enfin, nous reconnaissons toutes les nations qui vivent, travaillent et se divertissent sur ce territoire, et qui l’honorent et le célèbrent.

Land Acknowledgment

In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth, we acknowledge that we live, work, and gather on the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, including the Blackfoot Confederacy—comprising the Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani Nations—as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina Nations.

This land, known as Moh’kinsstis in the Blackfoot language and encompassing what is now Districts 5 and 6, is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, within the historical Northwest Métis homeland.

We recognize and honour the deep connection these Nations have to the land, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share in its stewardship.

As we continue our work, we commit to learning from Indigenous knowledge systems, uplifting Indigenous voices, and fostering relationships rooted in equity, understanding, and reconciliation.

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