We are working to improve our environmental footprint through a measurement plan and sustainability programs. Since 2019, we've completed an annual greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory (sometimes termed a "carbon footprint"). We report Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions across our value chain, including building operations, cloud usage and contracted co-located data centers (we do not own or operate data centers), employee work from home, purchased goods and services, marketing, and business travel. Our GHG inventory has expanded each year to include additional relevant categories. Robinhood's 2022 inventory maintains the same operational boundary as 2020 and 2021, but introduces some changes to calculation methodology to align with the latest science and emissions factors.
As of 2022, through renewable energy purchases, we were able to zero our Scope 2 emissions.
As of 2022, we invested in high quality carbon removal credits to cover all of our Scope 1 and a portion of our Scope emissions.
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are gasses that trap heat in earth's atmosphere and contribute to the global greenhouse effect, causing climate change. GHG Emissions are emitted from activities such as burning fossil fuels.
Carbon Removal is a process by which carbon dioxide (CO2) is extracted from the atmosphere and sequestered (stored). Carbon Removal credits help companies to offset part or all of their carbon impact.
Building on our efficiency and emission reduction efforts, in 2022, Robinhood purchased a total of 1,288 metric tonnes (tCO2e) of carbon dioxide removal and procured 10,694 megawatt hours (MWh) of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). We are proud to take these steps to reduce our impact on the environment, and we intend to continue building our clean energy and carbon removal strategies.
In order to fully remove our Scope 1 and a portion of our Scope 3 emissions, Robinhood purchased 1,235 metric tonnes of (tCO2e) of reforestation carbon removal from CommuniTrees, a reforestation project located in Nicaragua. These investments help build financial security for smallholder farmers and support reforestation of underused land.
Robinhood also purchased 53 tCO2e of kelp sequestration carbon removal units from Running Tide. Based in Maine, this startup is working to develop a scalable ocean carbon dioxide removal technology to restore ocean alkalinity and combat ocean acidification. The credits will be delivered to Robinhood in 2024, and by purchasing in advance, Robinhood sends an important demand signal for greater investment in new carbon removal approaches.
In 2022, we procured 10,694 MWh of wind RECs from a project in Oklahoma to reduce indirect emissions. The RECs cover 100% of Robinhood's total office electricity usage and support clean energy projects in the regions where we operate.