Why SCOPE 3 emissions are the MOST Important!

In my role at CO2HERO I tend to read allot of sustainability reports published by Global 500 companies. One common omission, or afterthought are the notoriously dreaded and difficult scope 3 emissions.

Now don't get me wrong, companies have made many strides to improve this. I have even seen Chief Sustainability Officers publicly state that scope 3 emissions WILL be their primary objective for 2023.

But what exactly are scope 3 emissions? Why are they the most important of all scopes and, what can YOU do about them today?

That's exactly what we are going to find out...

What REALLY are Scope 3 Emissions & why are they important to YOU?

According to Deloitte, scope 1 emissions are emissions that a company makes directly, for example while running its boilers and vehicles. Scope 2 emissions are the emissions it makes indirectly – like when the electricity or energy it buys for heating and cooling buildings, is being produced on its behalf. This means scope 3 is everything else right? Well, this is where it get’s a little tricky. ?

Scope 3 covers “all the emissions associated… that the organization is indirectly responsible for, up and down its value chain.”. Now this is huge. For many businesses, scope 3 emissions account for more than 70 percent of their carbon footprint.?

Many Global 500 companies are making huge strides to tackle their emissions in scale but how does this affect “Bob from IT” or “Jane from Sales”. Most importantly how, does this affect YOU individually and as a collective? Let's find out!?

5-4-3-2-1, We Have Cut Down!?

Whether you are a sustainability executive or not, scope 3 covers a multitude of things in and out of your control. For example, scope 3 emissions can involve investments, franchises and, usage of sold products. There maybe contracts in place, lack of technology or executive decisions that for now you just cannot control. ?

Although it can seem impossible to deal with, I liken tackling scope 3 emissions to tackling anxiety (ironically, it is what makes many sustainability leaders I talk to most anxious). The Mayo Clinic, one of the best ranked Hospitals in the USA, has a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 countdown system. Next time you are anxious about something, try counting down from 5 like this: ?

·??????5 things you can see: Your hands, the sky, a plant on your colleague’s desk.

·??????4 things you can physically feel: Your feet on the ground, a ball, your desk.

·??????3 things you can hear: The wind blowing, children’s laughter, your breath.

·??????2 things you can smell: Fresh-cut grass, coffee, soap.

·??????1 thing you can taste: A mint, gum, the fresh air.

Essentially, focusing on your surroundings in the present moment and away from what is causing you to feel anxious and out of control. You can do the same with scope 3 emissions and there are gains to be made today! Here is how.??

Take a Look at What You Have Done!?

Although scope 3 emissions cover a multitude of uncontrollable assets, it also covers assets you can influence like yourself and your team. Yes, employees are a huge part of scope 3 emissions. Do you make the choice of what method you travel to work, what you eat, how you consume it, how to dispose of the waste, what business travel is necessary etc. All these things require an everyday, sometimes subconscious decision made by you. ?

If you think about it, there are potentially huge gains to be had. For example, the average Global 500 company has approximately 230,000 employees. Imagine if every employee saved 4.3 tonnes of CO2e per person per year. That's 1 million tonnes per year of CO2e saved just by making and recording ordinary everyday lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes which are well within reach of everyone.

The best part is that these changes can be made today. Every recycled can counts, every bike ride to work, every meeting took online rather than in person. These are all decisions we make whether we are a sustainability executive or “Jane from sales”.???

Scope Out Your Next Move

So, although we know scope 3 emissions are convoluted, that many of them we cannot control, we now also know that many scope 3 emissions are indeed controllable. YOU have a fantastic opportunity to make a difference today by making incremental changes to your business lifestyle. ?

If you are a Sustainability Executive, try challenging yourself to make these changes by goal setting, measuring everyday climate actions you are taking and, rewarding yourself for wins. You can even invite your colleagues, team or department to take part in making a tangible difference. And as always, have fun with it! This is scientifically proven to produce the best results. ?

You can use a tool like CO2HERO to do all of that as well as record and publish your savings in your ESG reporting. Now that is a great incentive for us all.

Be the difference you want to see and get started today!

Thank You!

Thank you for?liking and sharing. If you are passionate about climate change and sustainability, it really helps educate more people on such an important topic!

Here are additional ways for us to stay connected:

→ If you would like to know more about sustainability check out my?YouTube Channel EnterpriseEddie.

→?Let's Follow each other on LinkedIn.?Click the Bell?? on my profile for business strategies, sustainability news, and advice on new features! I will follow you back! ??

→ If you would like to share internally in your organization, you can download a digital copy of?The Sustainable Breakfast Here!

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