Greening EPA

Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Results

Graph showing that EPA reduced its Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions to 30,675 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in fiscal year 2015 compared to the fiscal year 2008 baseline of 71,068 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. The fiscal year 2020 target is 65,383 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Under Executive Order (EO) 13514, EPA’s goal was to reduce its Scope 3 GHG emissions 8 percent by fiscal year (FY) 2020 compared to an FY 2008 baseline. In FY 2014, EPA exceeded this goal by reducing its Scope 3 GHG emissions by 45.9 percent compared to FY 2008.

EPA’s Progress toward Scope 3 GHG Emissions Reduction Goals

EPA has reduced its Scope 3 GHG emissions primarily through decreased employee travel. In FY 2014, EPA’s GHG emissions associated with business air travel were 53 percent lower than in FY 2008. More frequent and widespread use of video-teleconferencing equipment among EPA employees also contributed to this improvement.

In addition to decreased business travel, EPA reduced its GHG emissions associated with employee commuting by 27 percent in FY 2014 compared to an FY 2008 baseline.

Under EO 13693, EPA has developed a new Scope 3 emissions reduction goal of 35 percent by FY 2025 relative to its FY 2008 baseline.

For more information about Scope 3 GHG reduction efforts, see EPA’s Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan.