What is wildfire smoke, why is it dangerous for human health, and why has it been the subject of news in Canada, the Northeastern coast of the United States, the midwest, and most recently L.A.?

Is Wildfire Smoke Dangerous for Health?

Disclaimer: While Greenly does it's best to provide you with the most up-to-date information, we cannot serve as proficient medical advice – and it is always important to consult a doctor if your are experiencing the side effects of wildfire smoke. Please ensure to look up local authority recommendations for how to handle post-exposure care to wildfire smoke. 

Wildfire smoke is becoming so prevalent in our daily life, that even famous entertainers such as singers like Shawn Mendes are starting to incorporate the negative effects that these natural disasters have on our lives into their music and artwork – and while releasing a new song and offering to donate to the red cross is a good way to raise awareness, it's important to remember how effective it would be to work towards preventing wildfire smoke from occurring in the first place.

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group

WHAT THE HELL ARE WE DYING FOR ? · Shawn Mendes

WHAT THE HELL ARE WE DYING FOR ?

℗ 2023 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

Released on: 2023-06-09

Producer, Associated  Performer, Drums: Mike Sabath
Producer: Shawn Mendes
Studio  Personnel, Mixer: Andrew Maury
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Joe LaPorta
Associated  Performer, Guitar, Bass: Eddie Benjamin
Associated  Performer, Piano: Scott Harris
Studio  Personnel, Recording  Engineer: Alex Pyle
Studio  Personnel, Asst.  Recording  Engineer: Gillian Pelkonen
A& R: Ziggy Chareton
Composer  Lyricist: Shawn Mendes
Composer  Lyricist: Scott Harris
Composer  Lyricist: Eddie Benjamin
Composer  Lyricist: Michael Sabath

Auto-generated by YouTube.

WHAT THE HELL ARE WE DYING FOR ?

Recently, wildfire smoke has taken over the skies of multiple cities: such as Toronto, Ottawa, New York City, Washington D.C., and more – all as a result of a wildfire that occurred across Canada.

Wildfire smoke is a mix of gasses and other particles that are emitted after vegetation and buildings are burned – most often, after a wildfire occurs. Wildfire smoke can cause even healthy people to get sick, when there is enough wildfire smoke present in the air. 

This is because breathing in wildfire smoke can result in the following:

👉 Keep in mind that the symptoms of wildfire smoke are likely to vary depending on the age and health of the person being exposed to wildfire smoke – pregnant women, children, elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions remain most vulnerable to the effects of wildfire smoke. 

Ultimately, wildfire smoke has the ability to make even the healthiest of people sick – but wildfire smoke is most alarming for people who are susceptible or have pre-existing respiratory health conditions such as asthma. This is because when we breathe in wildfire smoke, it goes deeper into the lungs – ultimately affecting the respiratory system.

Most recently, wildfire smoke has taken multiple cities in Canada and the Northeast of the United States by storm.

Almost all of New York state is under a air quality alert because of smoke from wildfires in Canada blowing into the area.

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Canadian wildfire smoke envelops NYC

The table below will explain the impact of wildfire smoke from various wildfires over the last few years:

<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; text-align: left;">
    <thead>
        <tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;">
            <th>Year</th>
            <th>Location</th>
            <th>Cause</th>
            <th>Impact on Air Quality</th>
            <th>Health Effects</th>
            <th>Global Reach</th>
        </tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
        <tr>
            <td>2023</td>
            <td>Los Angeles, USA</td>
            <td>Heatwaves, dry vegetation, human activity</td>
            <td>Significant PM2.5 levels, AQI in "Unhealthy" range</td>
            <td>Increased respiratory issues, eye irritation, hospitalisations</td>
            <td>Smoke spread across the western United States</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td>2023</td>
            <td>Maui, Hawaii</td>
            <td>Dry conditions, suspected human activity</td>
            <td>Localised poor air quality; PM2.5 levels surged</td>
            <td>Health warnings issued, evacuation-related stress</td>
            <td>Minimal global impact, largely local issue</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td>2023</td>
            <td>Canada</td>
            <td>Extreme heat, lightning strikes</td>
            <td>Record-breaking smoke levels; NYC AQI > 400 ("Hazardous")</td>
            <td>Severe respiratory effects, school and outdoor activity cancellations</td>
            <td>Smoke drifted to the US, Europe, and even reached the Arctic</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td>2020</td>
            <td>Australia</td>
            <td>Prolonged drought, arson, extreme heat</td>
            <td>PM2.5 levels 20 times the safe limit in Sydney and Canberra</td>
            <td>Respiratory illnesses, heat-related stress, displacement of vulnerable populations</td>
            <td>Smoke circled the globe, visible from space</td>
        </tr>
    </tbody>
</table>


In short, yes – wildfire smoke is bad for your lungs and is especially dangerous for pregnant women, children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions. 

Wildfire smoke is bad because it contains fine particles, otherwise known as PM2.5, which can produce toxic emissions when combusted.

The health effects of wildfire smoke can range from mild to severe: with a light case of wildfire smoke exposure causing nothing more than more coughing than usual, whereas an acute case of wildfire smoke exposure could result in cardiovascular damage – to the extent where someone could have a heart attack. 

However, wildfire smoke most notably aggravates the lungs and can fuel lung cancer – especially those already susceptible such as someone with asthma, bronchitis,  or someone who already smokes. 

👉 Wildfire smoke is also composed of harmful elements and chemicals such as carbon monoxide and  nitrogen oxides – both of which aren’t good for the human body to inhale.

In addition to having an impact on the respiratory and the cardiovascular system, wildfire smoke can also result in decreased cognitive abilities – as decreased ability to breathe with ease can reduce the amount of oxygen being fed to the brain, causing people to feel “foggy” and not as sharp as usual. 

How can people protect themselves against wildfire smoke?

Most often, the best way to prevent the side effects of wildfire smoke is to limit exposure – meaning if there’s been a wildfire, it’s best to stay inside for as long as possible. 

However, this isn’t always feasible as many people have lives to get to – so here are some tips to stay safe if wildfire smoke is currently present in your area.

Watch the news for updates on air quality reports and updates about how to practice good safety measures in your area while you await the wildfire smoke to pass.

Use air visibility guides if they’re available, especially if you plan on driving, as sometimes wildfire smoke can get so bad it becomes dangerous to drive – making wildfire smoke a driving hazard as well. 

Stay indoors if it’s possible – remember to keep windows and doors shut until further notice, and run the air conditioner whilst keeping the air filter closed to make sure that particles from the wildfire smoke outside don’t end up inside your home. If you have no air conditioning and it’s too hot outside to stay put where you are, seek public shelter with air conditioning until the wildfire smoke warnings subside. 

Filter the air in your home if it’s possible, especially if you have a respiratory or heart condition that could make you more susceptible to the negative effects of wildfire smoke. There is often an air filter setting for most air conditioning systems. 

Wear a mask if you must go outside – if you have any masks laying around from the Covid-19 pandemic, this is a good time to pull them back out again. This is because wearing a mask can help to trap the particles which could threaten your lungs in the mask instead – similar to how wearing a mask helps prevent germs from entering your body. However, it is important to remember that wearing even a high quality mask shouldn’t serve as a replacement for staying inside and remaining safe from exposure from wildfire smoke. 

Don’t burn anything else to aggravate the climate when wildfire smoke levels are already at a high – it is best to stay away from burning candles, fireplaces, or from having a barbecue during a wildfire smoke breakout. In addition to this, it’s best to prevent smoking as well – as this also contributes to air pollution. 

Call your doctor if you have a health condition that makes you more vulnerable to wildfire smoke to ensure you stay safe and healthy. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.

Check the wildfire smoke conditions of your local park before heading out for any summer recreational activities like a soccer game, wedding, or graduation – as large parks or forests may be subject to wildfires themselves this season. 

👉 Ultimately, the best thing that people can do during a wildfire smoke breakout is to stay inside and away from poor air quality that could make them sick.

Are the skies of Toronto and New York City yellow because of wildfire smoke?

Following the wildfires, many pictures have been taken and plastered across the web showing a hazy and yellow New York City skyline – looking almost apocalyptic. 

Multiple cities have been affected by the wildfire smoke, all the way from Toronto to as far as Kansas city – but many have wondered why the wildfire smoke has altered the color of the sky so much, with some cities seeming milkier and darker than usual.

It's another hazy day in St. Louis with temperatures returning to the 80s to near 90 today.   Wildfire smoke from eastern Canada is being drawn southwest into our region The air quality alert is back.

These fires are in eastern Canada. A blocking pattern in the atmosphere is sending the smoke as far west as Kansas City.  The smoke is heaviest along the east coast of the United States.

The smoke looks like a milky haze to the skies, despite the blue sky breaking through. The smoke appears to be thinner than Monday.

A weak front will drift across the region from northeast to southwest Wednesday with a couple of showers or spot storms possible.  Moisture is very limited, so coverage is going to be very sparse and of little help in easing dry conditions.

The odds for beneficial rain are increasing over the weekend. Many areas could be in line for the heaviest rain in weeks.

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Canadian wildfire smoke drifts as far west as Kansas City

Usually, sunlight comes down to Earth as a clear white beam that helps to produce ROYGBIV – or red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. However, when a wildfire occurs – particles of smoke end up being larger than the molecules that usually linger in the air and end up absorbing the blue, green, and purple hues we are used to seeing. Wildfire smoke can change how light is perceived and ultimately reflects different colors to us than we normally would view without wildfire smoke. 

👉 Think of the haze created by a campfire or someone barbecuing – the wildfires have had the same effect on the skies of entire cities.

The most recent wildfire smoke happened as a result of numerous wildfires that broke out across Canada – most notably the wildfires that happened north of Ottawa in Quebec and the wildfire outbreaks north of Calgary. 

These wildfires in Canada, resulting in the massive wildfire smoke seeping its way across the continent, has occurred as a result of human activity and changes to surrounding landscapes – which have made these areas more prone to wildfires.

As the wildfires across Canada run rampant, as this is expected to be one of the worst wildfire seasons in history for the country until August – the smoke from the wildfires in Eastern Canada are being pushed towards the U.S. and Canadian border due to high atmospheric pressure.  

How were cities affected by the wildfire smoke?

Multiple cities in both Canada and the United States have been greatly affected by the subsequent wildfire smoke from the wildfires occurring in Canada – such as Toronto, Ottawa, New York City, Washington D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago. 

Many of these cities were under alert for air quality warnings – with people being advised to stay inside until further notice and remaining wary of the potential health effects of wildfire smoke. Wind patterns have revealed that the aftermath of the Canadian wildfires could last for several days – with people in many major Midwest and northeast U.S. cities, in addition to the nearby Canadian cities, needing to remain vigilant of the current air quality before planning anything outdoors.

👉 In addition to threatening people on the ground, the deteriorated air quality from wildfire smoke has caused air traffic across the U.S. – with many flights experiencing delays due to the lack of visibility needed for flying.

In early January 2025, two major wildfires in the Los Angeles area broke out – with the biggest wildfires taking place in the Palisades and Eaton areas. 

💡 As a result, these areas have led to substantial smoke and deteriorated air quality – with the Los Angeles area still experiencing yellow levels of Air Quality Index (AQI) up to a week after the initial wildfire smoke was released into the air.

The most recent wildfires at the start of 2025 in Los Angeles demonstrate how even celebrities and day-to-day average citizens can be impacted by wildfires – as no amount of wealth, fame, or status can protect us from the negative consequences of climate change.

Palisades Fire – Having destroyed over 420 homes and with only 13% of the wildfire contained as of January 13th, 2025 – this has shown to be one of the most devastating wildfires and natural disasters in the state since the Malibu fires back in November 2018.

Eaton Fire – Having only been 27% contained as of Monday, January 13th 2025, taking 16 lives, and damaged over 7,000 buildings and homes – the Eaton fires have proven to be equally as destructive.  

Wildfire Smoke Impact on Air Quality in Los Angeles

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a wildfire smoke advisory for most of Southern California, including Los Angeles County, following the Palisades and Eaton wildfires – as this wildfire smoke was able to be seen for miles across Southern California.

💡 In fact, many areas in L.A. have reached "very unhealthy" of air quality – with some regions of Los Angeles recording PM2.5 concentrations.

Here's how you can stay safe in the midst of the Los Angeles wildfires:

Stay Indoors – People living in L.A., especially with underlying health conditions, are advised to stay indoors – such as by keeping windows and doors closed, and use air conditioning to filter indoor air.

Protect Employees – The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has urged employers to protect workers from wildfire smoke exposure. This can include implementing a short-term mask mandate or allow remote work until the air quality improves. 

Wear Proper Clothing – In addition to the negative effects of wildfire smoke from the recent wildfires, strong Santa Ana winds are making it more difficult for firefighters to put out existing fires. This means wearing clothing to protect not only your nose, but your eyes and mouth to avoid ingestion fine particle matter or foreign debris from entering your eyes. 

👉 Remember, for the most up-to-date information – it is paramount to consult the information provided by your local news outlets and official sources such as the South Coast Air Quality Management District and Cal Fire.

What are some ways to prevent wildfire smoke in the future?

The only surefire way to prevent wildfire smoke from occurring, is to lessen the likelihood of wildfires happening – something that has become common from California to Australia in recent years due to climate change.

While climate change ultimately holds the power to spur on the drastic wildfires that are causing wildfire smoke, there are still several things that humans can do to lessen the potential impact or occurrence of a wildfire.

For instance, one of the best ways to prevent a wildfire is to check drought conditions before choosing an area to have an activity. Common summer festivities such as fireworks for the 4th of July or a barbecue could easily facilitate a wildfire under the right weather conditions. Staying away from anything flammable is imperative and can help prevent a wildfire all together, which also helps to prevent wildfire smoke.

Taking care of your vehicles, various equipment, and keeping cars off of dry grass is also key – as the heat left behind the engines could easily spread further than you think and provoke future wildfires and wildfire smoke.

👉 Keeping anything that could cause a fire or even create heat away from dry vegetation is key to preventing wildfires.

At the end of the day, wildfire smoke is a serious health hazard as it could cause impaired respiratory system functioning and impact livelihood. 

Therefore, it is best to prevent wildfire smoke from even occurring – as it’s easier and more beneficial to prevent wildfires from happening in the future rather than to try and course correct a massive wildfire smoke outbreak like the one currently taking both the U.S. and Canada by storm.

If reading this article about if wildfire smoke is dangerous for your health has made you interested in reducing your carbon emissions to further fight against climate change – Greenly can help you!

Wildfires and the subsequent smoke is just one of the many surprising things to occur or be aggravated by in the midst of climate change, but don’t worry – Greenly is here to help. Book a demo with one of our specialists to learn more. 

Greenly can help you make an environmental change for the better, starting with a carbon footprint assessment to know how much carbon emissions your company produces.

The UK’s Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) regulation requires more companies to report their carbon emissions. Find out if it affects your business.

Our Guide to Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR)

As businesses face increasing scrutiny over their environmental impact, compliance with the UK's Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) regulation has become essential. SECR aims to enhance climate transparency and drive energy efficiency improvements, positioning UK companies to address both legal requirements and stakeholder expectations.

The urgency is clear: climate change not only threatens the environment but poses a significant economic risk. Swiss Re, a leading reinsurance firm, projects that without decisive action, global GDP could shrink by up to 18% by 2050. For UK businesses, this makes transparency in energy use and carbon emissions not just a regulatory obligation but a competitive advantage.

Since its introduction in 2019, SECR has transformed how companies report on energy consumption and emissions. By expanding the scope of carbon accounting and modernising disclosure rules, it equips investors with the high-quality data they need to align financial and environmental considerations in their decisions.

👉 In this article we'll explore what the SECR is, why it was introduced, and what it means for companies operating in the UK.

What is the UK’s Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting policy (SECR)?

The UK’s Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) regulation requires certain companies - such as quoted companies, large unquoted companies, and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) - to annually report their energy emissions and Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions.

The UK's Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) policy was introduced on 1 April 2019 as a major step forward in enhancing corporate accountability for energy use and carbon emissions. Designed to simplify reporting requirements while expanding their scope, SECR replaced the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme and brought many more businesses under its purview.

Unlike the CRC, which applied to fewer organisations, SECR mandates that approximately 11,900 large UK-based companies now disclose their annual energy use, carbon emissions, and any energy-efficiency measures they’ve implemented. This broader scope ensures greater transparency and incentivises action across a wider range of industries.

SECR also aligns closely with the UK’s ambitious climate goals, including achieving net zero emissions by 2050. By requiring companies to report on their energy efficiency efforts, SECR supports the national transition to a low-carbon economy and provides investors with critical data to guide sustainable decision-making.

It’s important to note that SECR operates alongside, rather than replacing, other emissions reporting requirements, including:

The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS): Focuses on energy audits and recommendations for large businesses.

Climate Change Agreements (CCA) Scheme: Provides tax benefits for energy-intensive industries.

EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS): Targets carbon trading for certain sectors.

Mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting for publicly quoted companies.

By modernising and unifying reporting requirements, SECR makes it easier for businesses to integrate emissions tracking into their sustainability strategies, helping the UK move closer to its climate commitments.

Find out in detail what the UK Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting SECR is, its background, who needs to comply with it and various other aspects of the legislation including assurance, reporting period and disclosure methodology.

UK Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting SECR explained

The SECR aims to create harmony between fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship. Through carbon accounting, it enables businesses to trim costs, boost transparency via carbon disclosures, and enhance energy efficiency. In turn, this helps companies curtail their greenhouse gas emissions and combat the repercussions of climate change by endorsing energy-efficient practices. 

Furthermore, the SECR fosters greater awareness regarding the implications of climate change and the intricacies of energy expenditure within organisations. It not only sheds light on the monetary aspect of energy but also enlightens stakeholders about a company's role in climate change.

For investors, the data on carbon emissions and energy usage that the SECR mandates is invaluable. As companies focus on augmenting energy efficiency and diminishing carbon emissions, investors are equipped with sharper insights. This helps investors to make more informed investment choices in a world gravitating towards sustainability. 

The SECR impacts an estimated ​​11,900 companies incorporated in the UK. These businesses fall under three main categories. All companies that meet the following criteria are obligated to report their emissions and energy consumption unless they fall under one of the exemptions:  

Quoted companies of any size: These are companies listed on a public exchange. Such companies are already subject to existing greenhouse gas reporting regulations, so the 2019 update doesn’t significantly affect them. 

Large unquoted companies: The term "large", as defined by the Companies Act 2006, applies to a company that fulfills at least two of the following criteria:

More than £18m in total assets on the balance sheet

Large limited liability partnerships (LLPs): LLPs are considered to be large where they fulfill the same criteria outlined above as per the Companies Act 2006.

Charities and not-for-profit organisations: Where an organisation meets the Companies Act 2006 definition of large it will also fall under the scope of SECR, even where it operates under a charitable structure.

Public bodies: Public bodies do not fall under the scope of SECR, however, they may have other carbon reporting obligations. It’s worth noting that not all organisations providing a public service are officially defined as such, and therefore some bodies owned by the NHS or a UK University may still fall under the scope of SECR.

SECR includes several possible exemptions, these include: 

If you're reporting at a group level and a subsidiary wouldn't be subject to SECR when reporting individually, you have the discretion to exclude the energy and carbon data about that subsidiary.

If your organisation consumes 40MWh or less energy during the financial year, it is deemed a "low energy user". This designation means you're not obligated to include all the specifics typically required in an SECR report. However, it's still essential to tally the organisation's total energy consumption (covering gas, electricity, and transport fuel) to ensure you're below the set threshold. In such instances, your directors' report should clarify that this is the rationale behind the absence of a comprehensive SECR report.

If obtaining your company's energy and carbon details is either commercially confidential or genuinely unfeasible, you may seek an exemption based on these reasons. An accompanying explanation will be necessary.

<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5">
    <thead>
        <tr>
            <th>Company Type</th>
            <th>Criteria</th>
            <th>Reporting Obligations</th>
            <th>Exemptions</th>
        </tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
        <tr>
            <td>Quoted Companies</td>
            <td>Listed on a UK stock exchange</td>
            <td>Must report energy use and efficiency measures globally.</td>
            <td>None</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td>Unquoted Companies</td>
            <td>Meets two of the following: turnover &gt; £36M, balance sheet &gt; £18M, &gt; 250 employees</td>
            <td>UK-based energy use and efficiency measures only.</td>
            <td>Exempt if energy use is &lt; 40 MWh per year</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td>Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)</td>
            <td>Same as unquoted companies: meets two of the following: turnover &gt; £36M, balance sheet &gt; £18M, &gt; 250 employees</td>
            <td>UK-based energy use and efficiency measures only.</td>
            <td>Exempt if energy use is &lt; 40 MWh per year</td>
        </tr>
    </tbody>
</table>


How does it work for group and subsidiary-level reporting?

In some cases, a group-level report is required. A group-level report should contain the energy use and carbon emissions data for the parent group and all subsidiaries. 

As outlined above under the section on exemptions, if a subsidiary would not otherwise be required to report under SECR independently from the group, it may omit its energy and carbon details in the group report. 

❗ Reporting companies should note that this specific guideline is treated differently than in the ESOS and the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme. 

Note that when subsidiary companies subject to SECR have already reported their energy and carbon information in a parent’s group-level report, filing a separate energy and carbon report isn't necessary.

SECR reporting requirements vary depending on the type and size of the business or organisation. Below we’ve outlined how quoted companies, large unquoted companies, and LLPs should present their energy and carbon reporting.

Quoted companies are already required to report their Scope 1 and 2 worldwide GHG emissions. The emissions should be reported in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) covering the seven gases listed in the Kyoto Protocol. 

Companies are strongly recommended to report Scope 3 emissions if they are essential to business operations, however, for now reporting on Scope 3 emissions is not mandatory, and is voluntary only. 

💡GHG emissions that must be reported include: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3).

Quoted companies should also report their selected emissions intensity ratios for the current and previous years. This should be stated in their Directors' report. 

❓ Emissions intensity ratios define GHG emissions in relation to the scale of business operations. Intensity metrics help regulators compare companies’ energy efficiency with counterparts of a similar size. Examples of intensity metrics include tonnes of CO2e per sales revenue or per square metres of total floor space.

Beyond emissions, listed companies should report their annual energy use. Companies should specify both their UK energy use and their offshore energy use in other countries. 

If the first year of SECR reporting has passed, quoted companies also need to report a comparison between the current and previous reporting years.

SECR requires quoted companies to describe whether or not they implemented measures aimed at reducing carbon emissions throughout the course of the year. They should disclose a narrative description of their energy-efficient activities in their annual report, and how successful those measures have been in improving energy efficiency or reducing energy consumption.

Companies should outline the methodology used. While there is no specific recommended methodology, SECR recommends selecting one that is widely used, comprehensive, and transparent. 

Quoted companies should report these details in their Director’s Reports for financial years beginning from April 1, 2019. 

Here’s a quick SECR reporting checklist for quoted companies: 

Annual Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions (Scope 3 is optional but recommended)

Narrative report of energy efficiency measures

SECR requires large unlisted companies and large LLPs to report on the following information: 

UK energy use (including the UK offshore area) in three categories: electricity, gas, and fuel for transport. 

Associated GHG emissions from these activities should also be reported, with at least one emissions intensity ratio included.

❗ Note: When reporting transport energy use, businesses should report their direct fuel purchases for company vehicles, but there is no need to report fuel used from a third-party operator. Fuel used in flights, trains, public transport, taxi trips, freight, or shipping for services contracted to a third party is also excluded. 

Like quoted companies, large unquoted companies and large LLPs also need to provide a narrative description of their energy efficiency activities and details on the methodology they used. 

Also similar to quoted companies, large unquoted companies should provide the required information in their Directors’ Reports, or Strategy Reports alongside an explanation. 

Large LLPs should report the information in their Energy and Carbon Report (a new obligation that was brought in with SECR).  

Here’s a quick SECR reporting checklist for large unquoted companies and large LLPs: 

UK energy use for electricity, gas, and directly consumed transport fuel (includes UK offshore area)

The SECR guidelines set a foundational benchmark for successful GHG reporting to mitigate the impacts of climate change, but there's room to go beyond the basics. Here's what's additionally recommended:

Full Disclosure: Companies should share details about all significant sources of energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions, even those not specified in the guidelines. This includes Scope 3 emissions, which are the indirect emissions that occur in a company's value chain.

Science-backed Targets: Companies should aim to align their reporting with science-based goals, such as aiming to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2100.

Future-focused Analysis: The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) suggests companies look ahead and analyse how climate change might affect them. This involves:

These projections should reflect potential climate-related challenges across various warming scenarios.

Risk Assessment: The TCFD encourages companies to evaluate climate risks, both direct (like storms or rising sea levels) and indirect (like changes in policies, markets, technologies, potential lawsuits, or harm to their reputation).

In certain situations, companies might find it challenging to include their energy and carbon emissions data in their annual streamlined reports. Reasons could range from facing exceptional difficulties in gathering the data to concerns that sharing such information might harm the company's interests.

Companies choosing to withhold such data should clearly state their reasons for doing so. However, they're also expected to make efforts to fully comply in subsequent reports.

Failing to comply with SECR reporting requirements can have significant repercussions for businesses, affecting both their financial standing and reputation. Here are the key risks of non-compliance:

Non-compliance with SECR can lead to fines and enforcement actions by the UK Government. While the exact penalty depends on the nature and severity of the breach, companies that fail to submit accurate and timely reports risk facing financial sanctions. This adds an unnecessary expense that could otherwise be avoided with proper compliance.

In today’s business landscape, transparency is critical for maintaining trust among stakeholders. Non-compliance with SECR may signal a lack of commitment to sustainability, damaging a company’s reputation with investors, customers, and employees. This can lead to lost business opportunities and decreased brand loyalty.

Missed opportunities for efficiency savings

SECR compliance often uncovers inefficiencies in energy use that, when addressed, can result in significant cost savings. Failing to report and act on this data means companies miss opportunities to reduce their operational expenses and carbon footprint, putting them at a competitive disadvantage.

Increased scrutiny from regulators and stakeholders

Non-compliance can attract unwanted attention from regulatory authorities, leading to audits or more stringent oversight. Additionally, sustainability-conscious investors may question a company’s reliability and commitment to addressing climate risks.

To avoid these risks, companies should ensure their compliance processes are robust and aligned with SECR requirements. The UK Government’s official SECR guidelines provide detailed instructions on reporting obligations and methodologies, which businesses should follow closely. Companies unsure about their compliance status can seek expert advice to streamline their reporting processes and minimise risks.

For further information and support on SECR compliance, consider exploring the following resources:

UK Government SECR Guidance: The official guidance provides detailed information on SECR requirements, reporting methodologies, and compliance procedures.

Government Resources on Energy Efficiency

Department for Energy Security & Net Zero: Offers resources and support for businesses aiming to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions.

Carbon Trust: Provides advice and support on energy efficiency and carbon reduction strategies.

Greenly’s Services Related to Emissions Reporting

Greenly Carbon Management Solutions: Discover how Greenly can assist your business with emissions tracking and sustainability reporting.

Book a Demo: Learn how Greenly's platform simplifies carbon accounting and reporting.

Why companies should consider Scope 3 reporting under SECR with Greenly?

SECR only mandates Scope 1 and Scope 2 reporting, however, it is strongly recommended that companies also adopt Scope 3 reporting. Let’s take a closer look at the different Scopes and what they encompass below: 

The GHG Protocol defines the three emissions reporting Scopes as follows: 

Scope 1 covers the direct GHG emissions from a company’s operations. 

Scope 2 refers to GHG emissions from purchased energy and electricity from a utility used in the course of business operations. 

Scope 3 encompasses the broader value chain emissions for both upstream and downstream activities.

Scope 3 emissions are an important part of most companies’ carbon footprint, making up around 80% of their total carbon emissions. While there is currently no requirement to report on Scope 3 emissions, this may change in the future.

❓Scope 3 emissions data is more challenging for companies to collect, as they aren't created by the company themselves. It includes the supply chain emissions created when manufacturing and shipping products, as well as the emissions caused by the end-users when consuming the products, goods, or services. 

👉 To find out more about the different Scopes, why not read our article on the topic. Or if you'd like to learn more about carbon accounting take a look at our blog. 

Working with specialised carbon accounting experts like Greenly can improve the quality of your reporting across all 3 Scopes, so why not get in touch with us today? 

At Greenly, we specialise in making carbon management accessible and actionable for businesses of all sizes. Our suite of carbon management services is designed to help your company effectively measure, track, and reduce emissions, enabling you to achieve sustainability goals while staying ahead of regulatory requirements like SECR.
Here’s what we offer:

 Emissions Tracking
Greenly’s intuitive platform tracks Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions across your operations, providing you with real-time insights into your carbon footprint.

Carbon Accounting
From understanding your emissions data to identifying reduction opportunities, Greenly equips your business with the tools you need to take action on climate impact.

Supply Chain Visibility
Our tools help you analyse and reduce emissions across your supply chain, with access to sustainable supplier recommendations to make greener choices.

Customised Decarbonisation Pathways
Create tailored action plans aligned with science-based targets to meet your long-term sustainability objectives.

With Greenly, sustainability is not just a goal – it’s an achievable and measurable journey. Our mission is to empower businesses to reduce emissions, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen their commitment to a sustainable future.

👉 Request a demo today to discover how Greenly can help you take the next step in your carbon management journey.

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Greenly - The go-to carbon accounting platform for your business!

What is the air quality index, how does it work, why is it important in today’s society as climate change progresses, and how can air quality index be improved?

What is the Air Quality Index?

Many people may not realise that some of the most harmful pollutants there are in the world exist in the atmosphere, better known as air pollution which is calculated by air quality index – or AQI for short. 

Air quality index is becoming an important tool to help measure the quality of the air and the harmful effects that air pollution poses, given many wildfires and subsequent wildfire smoke have been occurring as a result of global warming and increased human activity. 

What is the air quality index, how does air quality data work, why is it important in today’s society as climate change progresses, and how can air quality index be improved?

What is the air quality index and how does it work?

The air quality index is a method to report the daily air quality to communicate how polluted it is in a certain area. Ultimately, the air quality index is beneficial because it can help prevent people with increased health risks from exposing themselves to poor air quality and suffering from the consequences of air pollution.

The AQI, or Air Quality Index, works by determining the health effects someone may have after a few hours to a few days of being exposed to excessively polluted air. In addition to this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) helps to calculate the Air Quality Index (AQI) with the help of the five major  pollutants regulated in the Clean Air Act: 

The EPA has established various air quality standards for each pollutant to encourage the country to improve malicious exposure to the public. 

👉 Ground-level ozone and airborne particles are the two pollution which are most detrimental to human health and safety in the United States – as these two major pollutants can elicit more serious health effects and can easily raise a health concern for sensitive groups.

A description of what the AQI scale means for the air we breathe.

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The AQI Explained

Air Quality Index (AQI) is measured with the help of the EPA on a numerical scale ranging from 0 to 500 – with lower numbers demonstrating better air quality and higher numbers correlating to worse air quality.

💡 The lower the number is, the more there is little or no risk to experiencing the negative health effects of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and more. 

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>AQI Range</th>
      <th>Air Quality Category</th>
      <th>Health Implications</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>0-50</td>
      <td>Green = Good</td>
      <td>Air quality is fine and does not pose a health risk.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>51-100</td>
      <td>Yellow = Moderate</td>
      <td>Air quality is fair, but there could be some pollutants that could prove sensitive for some people.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>101-150</td>
      <td>Orange = Unhealthy for Certain or Susceptible People</td>
      <td>Those sensitive or susceptible to air pollution may have side effects, but the general public isn’t as likely to be affected.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>151-200</td>
      <td>Red = Unhealthy</td>
      <td>People in good health may feel the effects of the current air quality; sensitive people may have serious effects.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>201-300</td>
      <td>Purple = Very Unhealthy</td>
      <td>Emergency health warnings may be necessary as air quality starts to affect the majority of the population.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>301-500</td>
      <td>Maroon = Hazardous</td>
      <td>Health alerts are crucial as everyone is prone to experience severe health side effects.</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>


👉 Think of the air quality monitoring like the stadiometers used at the amusement park for people to measure their height. The taller someone is, the higher they stand on the stadiometer – just like the Air Quality Index. The higher the number on the “ruler” or scale for AQI value, the worse the current air pollution is and the more cause for concern in terms of public health.

An Air Quality Index (AQI) of 50 or below is generally representative of good air quality, whereas an AQI of over 300 is worrisome and represents a dangerous Air Quality Index.

Air Quality Index levels that are above 100 are concerning to the general public – as it starts to have a serious impact on vulnerable groups of people: such as those who are pregnant, children, those with pre-existing health conditions, and the elderly. 

👉 The Air Quality Index (AQI) is split into six, color coded categories to help make it easier for people to recognise Air Quality Index faster and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from poor air quality.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is important because it is the primary method used to communicate the current air quality to ensure the public remains informed of the current levels of air pollution. 

However, there are more reasons besides being a means of communication why the Air Quality Index is important. For instance, the Air Quality Index can help people to understand why they have developed new allergies or health circumstances by learning about the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere where they live. This can help people learn which medications and precautions to take to protect themselves from poor air quality in the future. 

 💡As a result, the Air Quality Index can help raise awareness on the importance of seeking to improve the air quality in the United States. 

How does air quality data help in the fight against climate change?

Unbeknownst to most, the Air Quality Index can also serve as a tool to understand the impact of our daily human activities on pollution. This is because a high Air Quality Index is often a result of rising greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the Air Quality Index can encourage us to become more sustainable and develop innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint.

IPCC, definition

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