Here is a brief explanation of each scope:
Scope 1 emissions are direct GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions from an organisation’s own operations, such as emissions from generators, backup power systems, and vehicles used by the company.
Scope 2 emissions are indirect GHG emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, heating, and cooling consumed by an organisation. For telecom operators, emissions scope 2 is often the largest contributor to GHG emissions, as data centres and network equipment require significant amounts of electricity to operate. Furthermore, if equipment is plugged in and left powered on without being actively used it can consume energy unnecessarily.
Scope 3 emissions are all other indirect GHG emissions that occur in the value chain of an organisation, including emissions from suppliers, business travel, and employee commuting. The production and transportation of network equipment, as well as the energy used in the manufacturing process, can generate significant emissions.