Skip to content

Organizational boundaries and emissions categories

Which operations enter an inventory and how their emissions are categorized are related but distinct decisions.

On this page

Identify the reporting entity and approach

Start with the entity, covered operations and selected consolidation approach under the applicable published method. A list of buildings alone does not settle whether each operation lies within the reporting boundary. Ownership and forms of control can matter differently under different approaches.

Identify where the emissions occur

A combustion source within the defined direct-emissions boundary differs from purchased-energy generation at another entity. Other value-chain sources require their own category and coverage assessment. Keep the source description with the boundary decision.

Record the decisions separately

Boundary-to-category record
DecisionEvidence
Included operationEntity and consolidation definition
Emission sourceCombustion, purchased energy or value-chain activity
CategoryMethod-specific treatment
Unresolved caseFact or guidance still needed

Avoid a label-only classification

A leased asset or outsourced activity can require additional facts. The word rented does not by itself settle every scope classification. Refer to the relevant published guidance and current method rather than treating a short example as a jurisdictional rule.

Further references