From Scopes to Categories: The New Standard for Construction Carbon Reporting

For years, the "Three Scopes" have been the gold standard for contractors measuring their carbon footprint. However, a more precise methodology is taking over. To align with international standards (ISO 14064-1), the industry is shifting from three broad scopes to six specific emissions categories.

At Sustainable Contractor, we believe this shift is a win for the building sector. It moves away from "indirect" vagueness and provides a clearer roadmap for decarbonising site operations and supply chains.

Why the Change?

The traditional Scope 1, 2, and 3 model often left Scope 3 as a "catch-all" that was difficult to manage. The new six-category system breaks these down, making it easier for contractors to identify exactly where their carbon "hotspots" are—whether it's the fuel in a telehandler or the embodied carbon in a load of bricks.

The 6 New Carbon Categories for Contractors

Category 1: Direct Emissions (formerly Scope 1)

These are emissions from sources your firm owns or controls.

• On-site Fuel: Diesel or HVO used in excavators, cranes, and site generators.

• Company Fleet: Vans and HGVs owned by your business.

• Fugitive Emissions: Refrigerant leaks from air-conditioning units in temporary site offices.

Category 2: Purchased Energy (formerly Scope 2)

Emissions from the energy you buy to run your business.

• Grid Power: Electricity used at your head office, yard, or for temporary site connections where you pay the utility provider.

Category 3: Transport Emissions

Previously hidden within Scope 3, transport now gets its own category. This is vital for contractors managing complex logistics.

• Supply Chain Logistics: The carbon cost of getting materials delivered to your site.

• Commuting & Business Travel: How your tradespeople get to the project and staff travel between sites.

Category 4: Purchased Products & Services

This category covers the "stuff" you buy. For most contractors, this will be the largest part of their footprint.

• Construction Materials: The carbon impact of extracting and manufacturing the concrete, steel, and timber you procure.

• Waste Management: The emissions created by skip hire and the processing of demolition or site waste.

Category 5: Sold Products & Investments

This looks at the life of the building or project after you hand it over.

• Product Use: The projected energy consumption of the buildings you construct.

• End-of-Life: The eventual carbon cost of decommissioning or demolishing the structures you build today.

Category 6: Other Indirect Emissions

A "safety net" category for any unique emissions sources that don't fit into the first five, ensuring no carbon is left unaccounted for.

What This Means for Your Next Tender

As UK procurement rules tighten (such as PPN 006 for public contracts), reporting is becoming more granular. Transitioning to these six categories offers several advantages for your contracting firm:

1. Greater Accuracy: You can no longer "hide" high-emission activities in a vague Scope 3 report.

2. Supply Chain Power: Category 3 and 4 allow you to put pressure on suppliers to provide better data (EPDs) and lower-carbon materials.

3. Future-Proofing: Reporting in line with ISO 14064-1 ensures your business is ready for upcoming UK environmental legislation and net-zero audits.

Taking Action

The shift to categories isn't just about paperwork; it's about identifying where you can save money and carbon. Whether it's switching to hybrid plant machinery (Category 1) or specifying low-carbon concrete (Category 4), the new system makes your path to Net Zero much clearer.

Ready to update your Carbon Reduction Plan? At Sustainable Contractor, we help UK firms transition to the latest reporting standards. Book a call today to ensure your next carbon assessment meets the new 6-category requirements.