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Before you can reduce your carbon footprint, you need to know what it is made of. The NCZ programme measures emissions across three scopes defined by the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol — the internationally recognised standard for corporate carbon accounting. Together, Scope 1, 2, and 3 give you a complete picture of all the greenhouse gases your business is responsible for, measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e).

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The GHG Protocol framework

The GHG Protocol categorises emissions by their source and proximity to your organisation. This structure prevents double-counting between businesses and ensures that the same calculation methodology is used consistently, making your figures comparable and credible. All NCZ emissions reports use the GHG Protocol as their foundation. At Gold level and above, reports are also prepared to ISO 14064 compliance, which requires independent verification of the methodology and data.
tCO₂e stands for tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. It is the standard unit for expressing the warming impact of all greenhouse gases — including methane and nitrous oxide — as a single comparable figure.

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Scope 1, 2, and 3 explained

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Scope 1: Direct emissions

Scope 1 covers greenhouse gases your organisation directly emits from sources you own or control. If the combustion or release happens on your premises or in your vehicles, it is Scope 1.Common examples:
  • Company-owned vehicles (cars, vans, HGVs, plant machinery)
  • On-site fuel combustion — boilers, furnaces, generators burning gas, oil, or diesel
  • Refrigerant leaks from air conditioning and refrigeration equipment
  • Industrial processes that emit gases as part of their operation
Scope 1 is typically the most straightforward scope to measure because the sources are within your direct control and usually metered or invoiced.How the NCZ Portal captures it: The portal’s data collection forms guide you through each fuel type and vehicle category. You enter consumption figures (in litres, kWh, or cubic metres) and the platform applies current GHG Protocol emission factors to convert these into tCO₂e.

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Why all three scopes matter

Measuring only Scope 1 and 2 can give a misleading picture. For many businesses — particularly those in professional services, facilities management, or retail — Scope 3 can account for 70–90% of their total emissions. Ignoring it means claiming progress while the largest sources of impact go unchecked. The NCZ programme requires you to address all three scopes because only a complete footprint gives you the information you need to make meaningful reductions — and gives your stakeholders confidence that your reporting is comprehensive.

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From measurement to certification

Once the NCZ Portal has captured your Scope 1, 2, and 3 data for a full reporting period, your Customer Success Team reviews the data for quality and completeness. The platform then produces your carbon footprint report, broken down by scope, location, and activity category. This report forms your baseline — the starting point from which all future reductions are measured. Each subsequent year, your new figures are compared against this baseline so you can demonstrate real, verified progress.

Certification overview

Understand the full NCZ certification journey and what each level requires.

Carbon credits

Learn how certified credits can balance unavoidable emissions while you reduce.