How do we split Scope 1 from Category 1 transport on the same trip?

Base the split on who fuels and operates each leg: vehicles your organisation directly fuels are Scope 1, while transport purchased from a third-party operator is Category 1.

What if the same coach company both owns and subcontracts vehicles across our itinerary?

Treat it consistently as a purchased service (Category 1) unless your organisation itself operates and fuels the vehicle directly - the coach company's own ownership structure doesn't change your reporting boundary.

Does a client's optional excursion transport count if it's not pre-booked by us?

No - only transport your organisation books or operates as part of the trip itinerary. Optional excursions clients arrange and pay for independently sit outside this boundary.

How detailed does the itinerary breakdown need to be by mode?

Break it down by mode (coach, ferry, rail, taxi, internal flight) at minimum, since each maps to a different factor; more detailed route-level data improves accuracy further.

Should empty repositioning legs (e.g. coach returning empty) be included?

Yes, if your organisation is paying for or operating that leg - empty repositioning still consumes fuel or is still a purchased service, so it belongs in the activity data.

Activity data·Sector & specialist

How to measure emissions from Trips: In-trip transport

Trips: In-trip transport covers movement during a trip once clients have arrived - coaches, ferries, local rail, internal flights and taxis - split between Scope 1 (vehicles the operator directly fuels) and Scope 3 Category 1 (third-party transport purchased for the trip). Record fuel receipts for self-operated legs and passenger.km or spend from the transport supplier's invoice for purchased legs.

Scope: Scope 1 and Scope 3 Category 1
What activity data you need: km, kWh, litre, passenger.km, tonne, £ Spend, $ Spend
Activity data: Sector & specialist

What counts as Trips: In-trip transport

Transport used during an organised trip once clients have arrived at the destination - coaches, local buses, taxis, ferries, internal flights and rail journeys between destinations on the itinerary. Covers both vehicles the tour operator owns or hires directly (Scope 1) and third-party transport purchased as part of the trip (Category 1).

The only 'Trips' page split across two scopes: where the operator directly fuels and operates the vehicle - for example, an owned or self-drive minibus - the fuel purchase is Scope 1; where transport is purchased from a third-party operator, such as coach hire, local rail, ferries or taxis, it's Category 1. Distinct from the flights and accommodation trip pages, which cover getting to and staying at the destination rather than moving around once there.

How to collect the data

Use itinerary and transport-booking records for each trip departure - mode, distance or route, and passenger counts - split between self-operated and third-party legs. For self-operated vehicles, use fuel receipts or fuel-card data (litre, tonne); for purchased transport, use passenger.km or spend from the transport supplier's invoice.

What activity data you need

Collect the most specific physical unit available. Unit definitions are in Appendix I — Description of Units.

km
kWh
litre
passenger.km
tonne
£ Spend
$ Spend

Which emission scope it falls under

Trips: In-trip transport activity data typically maps to Scope 1 and Scope 3 Category 1 under the GHG Protocol. Confirm organisational boundary and ownership before reporting.

Scope 1

Scope 3 Category 1

By emission scope

Compliance frameworks

Compliance & reporting frameworks

Sub-types available in the platform

All 16 sub-types available in the platform.

Car or vehicle: Not owned by organisation
Coach
Diesel (average biofuel blend)
Ferry
Ferry: Foot passenger
International air
International rail
Local air travel: Helicopter
Local bus
Mini bus: 9 seat: Average
Motorbike: Not owned by organisation
National rail
National rail: US
Petrol (average biofuel blend)
Rail Travel: Average
Regular taxi

Common questions

How do we split Scope 1 from Category 1 transport on the same trip?: Base the split on who fuels and operates each leg: vehicles your organisation directly fuels are Scope 1, while transport purchased from a third-party operator is Category 1.
What if the same coach company both owns and subcontracts vehicles across our itinerary?: Treat it consistently as a purchased service (Category 1) unless your organisation itself operates and fuels the vehicle directly - the coach company's own ownership structure doesn't change your reporting boundary.
Does a client's optional excursion transport count if it's not pre-booked by us?: No - only transport your organisation books or operates as part of the trip itinerary. Optional excursions clients arrange and pay for independently sit outside this boundary.
How detailed does the itinerary breakdown need to be by mode?: Break it down by mode (coach, ferry, rail, taxi, internal flight) at minimum, since each maps to a different factor; more detailed route-level data improves accuracy further.
Should empty repositioning legs (e.g. coach returning empty) be included?: Yes, if your organisation is paying for or operating that leg - empty repositioning still consumes fuel or is still a purchased service, so it belongs in the activity data.

Next step

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Related in this cluster·Sector & specialist