Before there were federal requirements to do so, EPA had developed a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory and established reduction targets to decrease its GHG footprint.

There are three types of GHG emissions EPA tracks and works to reduce.

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Scope 1 GHG emissions are direct emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the Agency.

• Scope 1 includes on-site fossil fuel combustion and fleet fuel consumption.

Scope 2 GHG emissions are indirect emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the Agency.

• Scope 2 includes emissions that result from the generation of electricity, heat or steam purchased by the Agency from a utility provider.

Scope 3 GHG emissions are from sources not owned or directly controlled by EPA but related to Agency activities.

• Scope 3 emissions include employee travel and commuting.
• Scope 3 also includes emissions associated with contracted solid waste disposal and wastewater treatment.
• Some Scope 3 emissions can also result from transportation and distribution (T&D) losses associated with purchased electricity.