What is Scope 3 Category 8: Upstream leased assets?
Category 8 covers operating emissions from buildings, vehicles, or equipment your company leases when their fuel, purchased energy, refrigerant, or process emissions are outside Scope 1 and Scope 2. Your company reports them in Category 8 as the lessee; the asset owner checks whether the same emissions belong in Category 13.
Why does Scope 3 Category 8 matter to you?
GHG Protocol Scope 3 Standard Chapter 11 requires each category total plus the method and assumptions used. If your lease register and boundary note disagree, you can omit an asset or count its energy twice.
How is Scope 3 Category 8 calculated?
Check the lease type and the inventory approach defining ownership or control. Under equity share or financial control, an operating lease can enter Category 8. Under operational control, it normally enters Scope 1 and Scope 2.
Use the asset-specific method for meter readings, fuel logs, refrigerant records, or process data. Formula 8.1 applies matching factors and adds the assets. Without direct records, use the owner's Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions allocated to the leased asset, or use an average per square metre or asset type. Count only the period leased. For a franchise, use franchise-specific fuel and energy records and Category 14.
What mistakes should you avoid?
- Classifying the lease without checking your ownership or control boundary.
- Adding a lessor allocation to direct data for the same period.
- Counting twelve months for a part-year lease.
- Using averages when asset or franchise energy records exist.
Does every operating lease belong in Category 8?
No. Under operational control, its emissions normally enter Scope 1 and Scope 2. Use Category 8 only when they remain outside both.
What records support a Category 8 total?
Keep lease dates and classification, your boundary policy, asset list, meter or fuel records, factor file and year, lessor allocation, and a calculation tied to each asset.