The journey towards net zero demands ongoing commitment and a proactive approach. By following these steps and engaging in collaborative action, your business can effectively address and implement Scope 3 reductions and embark on a path towards a more sustainable future.
As environmental awareness intensifies, businesses find themselves under increasing scrutiny for their impact on the planet. This scrutiny extends beyond their own operations, peering deeply into their supply chains – the intricate web of suppliers and customers that fuel their activities.
This brings us face-to-face with Scope 3 emissions, an often-neglected, yet potentially enormous elephant in the corporate greenhouse gas room.
Scope 3 emissions encompass all the greenhouse gases emitted indirectly through a company’s activities, ranging from the production of purchased goods and services to even the end-of-life disposal of their products. The catch? These emissions sit largely outside a company’s direct control, residing in the hands of suppliers, their suppliers, and even their customers.
The sheer size of Scope 3 emissions is enough to give even the most climate-conscious executive a pause. These indirect emissions can easily account for over 80% of a company’s total carbon footprint, dwarfing direct emissions from owned or controlled sources. This harsh reality presents a cruel twist of fate: the emissions you are most responsible for are the ones you have the least power to change.
So, where does this leave businesses struggling to tame the scope 3 beast? Fear not, for all hope is not lost. While the challenge is undeniable, several paths lead towards progress.
