Emissions that fall under Scope 3 include every other type of indirect emission not included in Scope 1 or 2. These emissions are considered outside the direct control of a company or organization but can still be influenced through sustainable products and practices.
Scope 3 emissions, for instance, include those from employee commuting, waste disposal, and the use of company products by customers. These emissions can account for a significant portion of a company or organization’s total carbon footprint and should be addressed when developing sustainability strategies.
One way to reduce Scope 3 emissions is by conducting a life cycle analysis of products and services. This process involves evaluating a product’s or service’s environmental impact, from the extraction of raw materials to the disposal of the final product. By identifying areas of the life cycle where the most emissions are generated, a company or organization can take steps to reduce its impact.
Another way to reduce Scope 3 emissions is by encouraging sustainable practices among suppliers and customers. For example, a company or organization can work with suppliers to reduce emissions in their operations or encourage customers to recycle products at the end of their life.
In addition to reducing emissions, companies and organizations can publicly report their scope 3 emissions through initiatives such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) or the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). This transparency can help build trust with customers and investors and help the company or organization identify areas where they can improve their sustainability efforts.
Also, companies can compensate for their Scope 3 emissions by investing in carbon dioxide removal projects. For example, Ocean-based Climate Solutions, Inc. has a technology that converts CO2 to ocean fish food, boosting fish populations and sequestering CO2 to the seafloor, where the majority of Earth’s CO2 is held in limestone.
In general, Scope 3 emissions are significant to the carbon footprint of a company or organization and should be taken into consideration when developing strategies for environmental sustainability. Companies and organizations can lessen their impact on the environment and make a contribution to the fight against climate change if they gain an understanding of these emissions and effectively manage them.