Carbon footprints. Scope 1, 2, 3. CO2e. Spend-based, activity-based, product-based metrics. If your brain fogs up the moment these terms come up, you’re not alone.
We recently held a session with Stu Meades from Greener Edge, a specialist consultancy we work closely with on carbon, climate, and sustainability projects across sectors. Whether it’s supporting Welsh food producers or helping manufacturers navigate net zero, Greener Edge’s expertise helps SMEs turn climate goals into practical action.
Stu’s whistle-stop session on carbon footprints and Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions left us with some valuable reminders and fresh insights. Here’s what we learned, and why it’s worth your attention too.
1. Know Your Scopes
Scope 1: Fuel you burn directly (company vehicles, heating).
Scope 2: The emissions tied to your purchased electricity.
Scope 3: Everything else (supply chain, commuting, product end-of-life). This is often 85-95% of your total footprint.
Why it matters:
Scope 3 is where the biggest impacts hide, but it’s also the hardest to measure and influence. If you only focus on Scope 1 and 2, you’re missing the real picture.
2. CO₂e: Mind the ‘e’
Reporting carbon emissions properly means using CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent), not just CO₂.
Why? Because emissions include a mix of greenhouse gases, and CO₂e is the only way to capture the true climate impact.
If you’re reviewing a report that only mentions CO₂, it’s worth asking questions.
3. Measurement is Messy, But Possible
For Scope 1 and 2, use invoices, meter readings, and actual energy use.
For Scope 3, start with spend-based metrics (e.g., “for every £1 spent on office furniture, X kg CO2e emitted”).
The gold standard? Knowing your CO2e per product or per £1 of turnover using supplier and product-specific data.
Pro tip: Don’t get hung up on perfection. Transparency about what you’ve included (and excluded) matters more than chasing flawless data.
4. Data Without Action is Just Admin
Carbon footprints aren’t a box-ticking exercise. They should inform decisions:
- Can you switch to a lower-carbon supplier?
- Can you cut waste in your top-impact categories (e.g., raw materials)?
- Are your decarbonisation efforts focusing on the biggest hotspots, not just the easiest wins?
5. Don’t Get Duped by Greenwash
Stu highlighted that some carbon plans are “not worth the paper they’re printed on.” If your client says they have a footprint and reduction plan, ask:
- What scopes are included?
- What categories are excluded?
- Are they using CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent), not just CO2?
A plan without clarity is a red flag.
6. Precision Beats Averages
Stu emphasised the value of developing your own carbon intensity metric (kg CO₂e per £ turnover) rather than relying on national averages.
National averages can overstate your footprint if you’re already sourcing responsibly.
Having your own metric allows you to track improvement over time as you decarbonise.
The ultimate goal? A clear, business-level metric like:
“X kg CO2e per £1 turnover”.
This makes it easier to track progress, set targets, and embed carbon thinking into every decision you make, from procurement to pricing.
7. Electrification Helps – If the Grid Is Green
Switching from gas and oil to electricity is part of the decarbonisation journey, but it only works if your electricity source is renewable.
Check your energy supplier, explore green tariffs, and consider on-site renewables if you can.
8. Digital Isn’t Free of Carbon
Using AI tools and cloud services? They’re not as low-impact as many think. An AI search can use 20-30x the energy of a standard search.
While the grid is decarbonising, digital carbon footprints are real.
Tip: Use AI and heavy computing intentionally, consider policies for intentional AI use, and look into the green credentials of your providers.
9. The Data Can Surprise You
When businesses measure their carbon footprint, the biggest emissions drivers aren’t always where they expect. Often, it’s not the gas in the boiler or the lights in the office, but the raw materials you buy, the suppliers you use, and the way your products are made and delivered.
Understanding these hidden hotspots is the first step towards reducing them. You can’t manage what you haven’t measured.
What This Means for SMEs
Start where you are – get a basic carbon footprint covering all three scopes.
Use it to prioritise – focus on your biggest impact areas first.
Embed carbon into business decisions – supplier choices, design, energy use.
Stay transparent – it builds trust with funders, customers, and your own team.
You don’t need to do it alone. We’re supporting businesses to demystify carbon, build credible plans, and take action that actually moves the dial.
Ready to cut through the confusion and start making carbon count?
