6 ways your business can reduce its Scope 3 emissions

Published: 27th March 2024

We’ve previously touched on what scope 3 emissions are, and delved into why they are essential to businesses and organisations. Now it’s time to look at ways they can be reduced. Before we get started, here’s a quick reminder of what scope 3 emissions are.

Scope 3 emissions are indirect value-chain emissions that include transport and distribution, investment, leased assets and employee commuting. Here are a number of ways organisations can make actionable changes and reduce Scope 3 emissions.

1. Purchase materials with lower carbon footprints

Purchasing locally manufactured materials reduces upstream and downstream emissions associated with your sold products. Locally sourced goods and components require fewer carbon emissions as shorter journeys are completed to get them to you.

2. Avoid unnecessary travel and opt for sustainable modes of transport

Reduce unnecessary business travel and instead have meetings online.

3. Encourage staff to use public transport, cycle and offer public transport incentives

Introduce a staff shuttle service, offer discounted public transport passes or encourage carpooling. This will reduce the need for on-site car parking and can give way to greener spaces further improving local air quality.

4. Transition to EV or lower emission vehicles

Consider swapping Diesel & Petrol vehicles within your fleet for Electric or lower emission vehicles.

5. Produce or sell energy-efficient products and services

Aim to produce products and services that are energy efficient.

6. Design long-lasting and durable products

Work with manufacturers in your supply chain to design and produce durable and long-lasting products and services. This can greatly reduce the number of downstream emissions associated with your sold products.

It’s clear that the ways to reduce Scope 3 emissions vary based on where an organisation’s value-chain emissions are produced. Reducing them enables you to avoid risks, be more innovative in the way you operate and provide more accurate reporting to stakeholders where necessary.

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