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:
- Purchase materials with lower carbon footprints - Purchasing locally manufactured materials reduces the 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.
- Avoid unnecessary travel where possible and opt for sustainable modes of transport - Reduce unnecessary business travel and instead have meetings online.
- 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.
- Transition to EV or lower emission vehicles - Consider swapping Diesel & Petrol vehicles within your fleet for Electric or lower emission vehicles.
- Produce or sell energy-efficient products and services - Aim to produce products and services that are energy efficient and
- 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.