How to Efficiently Decarbonize Scope 1 & 2 Emissions — Lessons from My Experience

Decarbonization has quickly become a key strategic priority for companies worldwide. It’s no longer just about “doing good”—it affects investor confidence, supply chain decisions, customer preferences, and compliance readiness.

But when businesses decide to reduce their carbon footprint, they often don’t know where to begin. The idea feels big, complex, and expensive.

Recently, I worked with a manufacturing company that wanted to reduce its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions in a practical and financially viable way. Through this project, I gained some important insights that I believe young sustainability professionals can apply to their own work.

This blogpost isn’t just a case study—it’s a lesson in how strategic decarbonization actually works on the ground.

First, Understand the Difference Between Scope 1 and Scope 2

To make progress, it’s crucial to understand what we are trying to decarbonize:

• Scope 1 emissions come directly from sources the company owns or controls — like boilers, generators, and company vehicles.

• Scope 2 emissions come from purchased electricity — usually from the grid.

Most manufacturing and facility-based companies have high Scope 2 emissions, simply because electricity use is constant and significant.

This is where decarbonization usually begins.

The Client’s Challenge

The company I worked with had:

• High power dependency from the grid

• Some fuel-based heating systems increasing Scope 1 emissions

• No clarity on carbon accounting

• Concerns about cost and ROI

• A desire to build a credible sustainability image

Their primary expectation was clear:“Help us reduce emissions realistically, without disrupting operations.”

Our Decarbonization Strategy in Short

1. Start with a Baseline (Measure Before You Advise)

We conducted a carbon footprint assessment to understand:

• Where emissions were coming from

• Which sources were most impactful

• What reduction pathways made sense

This baseline was the foundation. Without it, any decarbonization attempt would be guesswork.

Young professional lesson:First learn how to measure emissions. Everything else depends on that skill.

2. Implement Energy Efficiency Measures First

Before suggesting solar or renewable certificates, we focused on improving how energy was being used.

This included:

• Fixing compressed air leakages

• Ensuring optimal machine operating cycles

• Installing motion-based lighting controls

• Regular maintenance planning to prevent energy waste

These steps required little to no capital investment, yet delivered immediate reductions.

Quick wins are important. They build confidence and justify further investment.

3. Transition to Renewable Energy Smartly

Once efficiency improvements were established, we evaluated renewable energy options:

• Rooftop solar installations where space allowed

• Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) where direct installation wasn't feasible

• Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) to claim clean energy use responsibly when physical infrastructure was limited

The most important part here was presenting:

• Payback period

• Financial comparison of different models

• Feasibility under regulatory norms

You don’t need to be an engineer—but you must know how to speak the language of finance and operations.

4. For Scope 1 — Push Gradual Transitions

Scope 1 reductions usually require operational and equipment changes.We approached it step-by-step:

• Switching from diesel to cleaner fuels where possible

• Improving thermal system efficiency

• Long-term planning toward equipment electrification

Scope 1 takes time. Don’t promise overnight results. Show phased transformation.

5. Communicate Progress Clearly

Once actions were underway, we helped them:

• Train internal teams

• Update sustainability messaging

• Share progress transparently

This helped the company build trust—internally and externally.

The Results

Within the first year, the company achieved:

• A measurable reduction in electricity-related emissions

• A realistic long-term plan for clean energy transition

• Stronger investor and customer confidence

• Clear internal sustainability governance

Most importantly, sustainability became a strategic business asset—not a cost center.

What Young Sustainability Professionals Should Focus On

If you want to be useful in real-world decarbonization, here’s what matters most:

1. Learn Carbon Accounting

Understand how to calculate Scope 1 & 2 emissions. This is your core technical skill.

2. Understand Renewable Energy Options

Know how solar PPAs, green power procurement, and RECs work .This helps you propose practical solutions.

3. Learn How to Communicate Clearly

Leaders don’t want jargon. They want clarity, feasibility, and rationale.

4. Keep Learning

This field evolves fast. Curiosity is your competitive advantage.

Final Thought

Decarbonization is not about pushing expensive solutions—it’s about understanding energy, identifying inefficiencies, and guiding companies through a phased, intelligent transition.

And the exciting part? You don’t need decades of experience to contribute. You just need the right skills, mindset, and clarity.

Start small. Learn deeply. Act thoughtfully. That’s how you help drive the climate transition—one company at a time.