Scope 3: Indirect emissions

Scope 3 emissions covers all emissions (outside Scope 2) that are created within the supply chain the business has no direct control over.

As such, they can be harder to measure and reduce, but it's important to do so as Scope 3 emissions will often make up the highest proportion of a business's total emissions.

Activities causing Scope 3 emissions can be both 'upstream', i.e created before a business can deliver its product or service, and 'downstream', i.e created after the business has delivered its product or service.

Some sources of Scope 3 emissions include:

• business travel (including employee commuting)
• waste
• transportation and distribution
• investments (including pensions)
• end of life treatment (i.e what happens to your products once they’re no longer fit for purpose).

You can read some FAQs about Scope 3 emissions here, and find out more about sustainable procurement here.