Climate Action in the Value Chain: Reducing Scope 3 Emissions and Achieving Science-Based Targets

The document argues that because supply chain emissions are significantly larger than operational emissions, companies must move beyond fragmented action. BSR recommends a strategy of mapping the entire value chain via 'reverse sourcing', testing reductions through pilot projects, and scaling these efforts through collaboration with peers and value chain partners.

• Supply chain emissions are substantially higher than direct operational emissions, with CDP data indicating they are on average 5.5 times larger than Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
• BSR recommends a three-step approach for tackling Scope 3 emissions: mapping the value chain using 'reverse sourcing' to find the highest reduction potential, implementing pilot projects to determine project structure and demonstrate scalability, and scaling up through collaboration with peers and value chain partners.

APA

Tatai, J. (2020). Climate Action in the Value Chain: Reducing Scope 3 Emissions and Achieving Science-Based Targets. We Mean Business Coalition. https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/climate-action-in-the-value-chain-reducing-scope-3-emissions-and-achieving-science-based-targets/

Chicago

Tatai, Julia. Climate Action in the Value Chain: Reducing Scope 3 Emissions and Achieving Science-Based Targets. We Mean Business Coalition, 2020. https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/climate-action-in-the-value-chain-reducing-scope-3-emissions-and-achieving-science-based-targets/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Tatai |first1=Julia |title=Climate Action in the Value Chain: Reducing Scope 3 Emissions and Achieving Science-Based Targets |publisher=We Mean Business Coalition |date=9 April 2020 |url=https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/climate-action-in-the-value-chain-reducing-scope-3-emissions-and-achieving-science-based-targets/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{tatai2020climate, author = {Tatai, Julia}, title = {{Climate Action in the Value Chain: Reducing Scope 3 Emissions and Achieving Science-Based Targets}}, institution = {We Mean Business Coalition}, year = {2020}, month = apr, url = {https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/climate-action-in-the-value-chain-reducing-scope-3-emissions-and-achieving-science-based-targets/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }