LEED AP Building Design and Construction (BD+C) Practice Exam

Carbon offsets can be utilized to mitigate what type of emissions for green power and carbon offsets?

1. Scope 1 emissions only

2. Scope 2 emissions only

3. Scope 1 or Scope 2 emissions

4. Scope 3 emissions only

The correct answer is: Scope 1 or Scope 2 emissions

Carbon offsets serve as a mechanism for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and they can be applied to both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, such as the combustion of fossil fuels in company-owned boilers or vehicles. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions resulting from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling consumed by the reporting entity. The rationale for utilizing carbon offsets for both scopes lies in the carbon accounting framework that recognizes the comprehensive impact of a company's activities. By purchasing carbon offsets, an organization can invest in projects that reduce or sequester carbon emissions elsewhere, effectively balancing out the emissions it cannot fully eliminate in its own operations or energy consumption. Scope 3 emissions, on the other hand, include all other indirect emissions not covered in Scope 2, such as those generated in the supply chain or through employee commuting. While carbon offsets can be beneficial for a holistic approach to emissions reduction, they are primarily associated with addressing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions directly as part of a strategy to create a more sustainable operation. Therefore, the inclusion of carbon offsets is particularly valuable in mitigating both direct and indirect emissions arising from owned operations and purchased energy, making the choice to