Scope 3 · Category 7
Scope 3 Category 7: Employee commuting
Scope 3 Category 7 covers emissions from employees commuting between home and worksites in vehicles not owned by the organisation, plus optional teleworking energy. Staff surveys, average distances by mode or FTE-based estimates are common starting points until better primary data is available.
Category 7 covers commuting between home and work in vehicles you do not own, plus optional teleworking energy.
Run a commuting survey (mode, distance, days on site) or use HR location data with average distances. Home-working energy estimates belong here when you include teleworking — not in Scope 2.
Business travel remains Category 6. Owned pool cars used for commuting may need a documented split.
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Frequently asked questions
- How often should I survey commuting?
- Annually is common, or when hybrid patterns change. Apply survey responses to FTE and working-day assumptions for the reporting year.
- Is home working Category 7 or Scope 2?
- Household energy you do not purchase is Category 7 (teleworking) when included. Scope 2 is energy you buy for sites you control.
- What about remote-first companies?
- Commuting may be small while home-working energy is material. State inclusions clearly so readers understand the boundary.
- Can I use average national commute distances?
- Yes for a first pass, then refine with your own survey. Flag secondary data in the methodology.
- Are cycle-to-work schemes zero?
- Active travel has negligible direct GHG from the journey itself; still record mode share so your inventory reflects real behaviour.