GHG Inventory Boundary for Textile & Apparel
A practical guide to help your company determine minimum inventory scope per GHG Protocol
Scope 1 (Direct Emissions)
- Steam boiler (natural gas)
- Drying/stenter
- Mobile equipment
Scope 2 (Indirect Energy Emissions)
- Dyehouse electricity
- Cooling/compressor
- Lighting
Dual Reporting: Location-based uses regional grid emission factors; market-based uses contractual factors (I-RECs, PPAs). Both approaches must be reported.
Scope 3 (Value Chain Emissions)
- 1Breaking the chain between raw fiber → final product
- 2Forgetting dyes/chemicals in Cat1
- 3Underestimating dyehouse/finishing energy intensity
- 4Not separating modes in Cat4/9
- 5Skipping waste (Cat5) classification
- 6As retail brand, not carrying Cat1 to brand footprint
- 7Not documenting Scope 2 market-based claims
- 8Skipping travel/commuting
- 9Being unprepared when product-level footprint request comes
- 10Not reflecting raw material country differences in EFs
Priority Categories
9 categoriesWeaving factory cotton/poly blend
Relevant: Cat1 + Scope2
Data: tonnes fiber + kWh
Approach: average-data + supplier-specific target
fiber origin
Dyehouse-intensive facility
Relevant: Scope1 (steam) + Scope2 + Cat1 dye
Data: m3 steam + kWh + kg dye
Approach: average-data
watch water/waste consumption
Brand retail (outsourced production)
Relevant: Cat1 dominant
Data: supplier product quantities
Approach: supplier-specific → hybrid
tier 2–3 visibility
Garment workshop
Relevant: Scope2 + Cat1 fabric
Data: kWh + kg fabric
Approach: average-data
BOM detail
Export (air cargo)
Relevant: Cat9
Data: kg + km
Approach: average-data
air mode EF is high
This content is for informational purposes. Your company's reporting scope may expand based on operational reality, reporting standards, assurance requirements, stakeholder expectations, and regulations.