Glossary Term

What are Scope 3 Emissions?

Scope 3 emissions are indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that occur as a consequence of an organization’s activities but are generated from sources not owned or directly controlled by the organization. They include emissions across the value chain, such as those from purchased goods and services, transportation, product use, waste disposal, and business travel. Scope 3 typically represents the largest portion of a company’s total carbon footprint.

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More about What are Scope 3 Emissions?

Scope 3 emissions are one of the three categories defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, alongside Scope 1 (direct emissions) and Scope 2 (indirect energy emissions). They cover a wide range of upstream and downstream activities, including supply chain operations, employee commuting, product lifecycle impacts, and end-of-life disposal. Measuring Scope 3 emissions helps organizations identify hotspots for reducing emissions, engage suppliers and partners, and report a more comprehensive environmental footprint.

References

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Greenhouse Gas Protocol