Scope 3.7 in practice: why employee commuting is now on the ESG radar

Every company that reports carbon emissions eventually reaches a category that gets little attention but matters more every year: Scope 3.7, the commute between employees’ homes and the workplace. For HR, Sustainability, and Facilities teams, this category tends to be the hardest to measure, and at the same time one of the heaviest in the indirect emissions inventory.

What Scope 3.7 is and why it matters now

The GHG Protocol classifies commuting as an indirect emission under Scope 3, Category 7. Unlike fleet or energy emissions, these emissions come from individual decisions: which mode of transport to use, how far to travel, how often to go to the office. That makes the data scattered and, in most companies, simply nonexistent.

With regulations like the CSRD advancing in Europe and growing pressure from investors and clients for complete ESG reports, ignoring this category is no longer a safe option. Companies that export, raise investment, or belong to international supply chains already feel the pressure to provide this data.

The impact goes beyond sustainability

Measuring commuting is not just a compliance requirement. Operations and Facilities teams use this data to redesign hybrid work policies, review shuttle and van contracts, and negotiate mobility benefits with more precision. A well-built diagnosis can show, for example, how many employees rely on individual motorized transport for trips that could be made by public transit or active mobility, opening room to cut cost and emissions at the same time.

How to start the diagnosis

The first step is to collect the origin and destination of each employee, the mode of transport used, and how often they commute. This can be done through a form, an HR system integration, or a direct survey. With that data, it becomes possible to calculate the carbon footprint of commuting using recognized methodologies and to identify concrete reduction opportunities, such as carpool incentives, public transit subsidies, or revised remote work policies.

An advantage for those who move first

Companies that already map and report Scope 3.7 find it easier to respond to due diligence requests, take part in bids with ESG criteria, and demonstrate real commitment to reduction targets. It is a competitive edge that starts with a simple, structured diagnosis.

If your company still does not know the carbon footprint of employee commuting, now is the time to start. Talk to our team and find out how to measure, reduce, and offset these emissions in a structured way.