Our emissions footprint | Rolls-Royce

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Data-driven decarbonisation

As a science-led business, our net zero strategy is grounded in data.

We estimate that annual total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (called scope 1, 2 & 3) associated with Rolls-Royce, are currently approximately 276 Mt CO2e per year. These emissions sit clearly within our immediate sphere of influence and under our direct control.

276 Mt

Direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 in CO2 equivalent

0.6%

CO2 equivalent emissions as a proportion of global man made CO2 emissions

98%

proportion of emissions that come from the use of our products

99%

typical use-phase emissions of products as a proportion of their lifecycle emissions

Direct and indirect emissions from our manufacturing facilities, and offices (scope 1 & 2) make up a very small but important proportion of our total.

They are under our direct control. Most of our emissions come from the use of our products, and from the goods and services, including raw materials, in our supply chain (scope 3).

Typically, more than 99% of the lifecycle emissions of our products are generated while they are in-use. That’s due to the carbon composition of the fuel used when an engine is in service. These emissions are therefore the main focus of our decarbonisation plan.

The extent to which we can control these scope 3 emissions is limited by other actors within the system. For gas turbine and reciprocating engines this is particularly dependent upon which fuel the customer chooses to use, which in some cases is controlled through regulation.

Our company is therefore committed to ensuring our products are compatible with net zero use, and will continue to advocate for the public and policy support needed to achieve this.

These emissions figures are based on 2019 data because of the distortions caused by Covid-19 in 2020. Our focus here is on carbon dioxide, which accounts for the majority of our emissions. We are of course aware that our business activities have broader environmental and social impacts, including resource consumption, noise, NOx emissions and contrails. For more details, please download our full Net Zero report below.