---
title: Scope 3 Emissions | Definition, How They Work, Categories & Importance
description: Find out what Scope 3 emissions are today. Learn the definition of Scope 3 emissions, how they work, and who is responsible for them.
image: https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/Scope_3_Emissions_-_FI.png
---

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**[Home](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) > [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/sustainable-investing) >** Scope 3 Emissions

# Scope 3 Emissions

![](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/zach-stein.jpeg)

 Written by Zach Stein  |  Reviewed by [Subject Matter Experts](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/subject-matter-experts)

Updated on October 1, 2024

 Fact Checked

 Why Trust Carbon Collective?

### Table of Contents

## **Definition of Scope 3 Emissions**

Scope 3 emissions are emissions that result from activities not under the organization's direct control but from the organization's business.

It includes both upstream and downstream indirect emissions that occur in the reporting company's value chain and are out of the company's operational control.

Because Scope 3 emissions are the outcome of actions from assets not held by the firm, these emissions may come from Scope 1, Scope 2, or even Scope 3 emissions from another company.

Scope 3 emissions are divided into 15 categories, which are then divided into two types based on whether the emissions are generated upstream or downstream in the value chain.

## **Scope 1 vs. Scope 2 vs. Scope 3**

![Scope_1_vs._Scope_2_vs._Scope_3](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Scope_1_vs._Scope_2_vs._Scope_3.png?width=1920&name=Scope_1_vs._Scope_2_vs._Scope_3.png)

Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the organization.

Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of electricity, heat, or steam that the organization purchases.

Scope 3 emissions are emissions that result from activities not under the organization's direct control but from the organization's business.

## **Scope 3 Emission Categories**

There is a broad category for Scope 3 emissions since they result from activities not under the organization's direct control.

Scope 3 emissions can be categorized as follows:

![Scope_3_Emission_Categories](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Scope_3_Emission_Categories.png?width=1920&name=Scope_3_Emission_Categories.png)

### **Purchased Goods and Services**

Emissions from goods and services the organization purchases include office supplies, furniture, and other equipment.

### **Capital Goods**

Emissions from capital goods come from the production of capital goods that the organization purchases. Capital goods can include things like [buildings, machinery, and vehicles](https://www.spglobal.com/_assets/documents/ratings/research/100079433.pdf).

### **Fuel and Energy-Related Activities**

This includes emissions from [fuel and energy consumption](https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions#:~:text=Combustion%20of%20natural%20gas%20and,and%20commercial%20sectors%20in%202020.) that are indirect and not under the organization's control. It can include emissions from natural gas, heating oil, and other fossil fuels.

### **Upstream Transportation and Distribution**

Transportation and distribution emissions occur before the product or service is delivered to the organization. It can include emissions from the shipping of raw materials and finished products.

### **Waste Generated in Operations**

This includes [emissions from waste](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235248471930808X) that is generated during the organization's operations. It can consist of emissions from solid waste, hazardous waste, and wastewater.

### **Business Travel**

Business travel emissions that the organization conducts. It can include emissions from air travel, ground transportation, and lodging.

### **Employee Commuting**

This includes emissions from employee commuting that the organization conducts. It can consist of air travel, ground transportation, and lodging emissions.

### **Upstream Leased Assets**

Transportation and distribution emissions occur before the product or service is delivered to the organization, including emissions from shipping raw materials and finished products.

### **Downstream Transportation and Distribution**

Transportation and distribution emissions occur after the product or service is delivered to the organization. It can include emissions from the shipping of raw materials and finished products.

### **Processing of Sold Products**

This includes emissions from the processing of sold products. It can consist of emissions from manufacturing, packaging, and assembly.

### **Use of Sold Products**

This includes emissions from the use of sold products. It can consist of emissions from the operation of machinery, vehicles, and appliances.

### **End-of-Life Treatment of Sold Products**

This includes emissions from the end-of-life treatment of sold products. It can consist of emissions from recycling, incineration, and landfills.

### **Downstream Leased Assets**

Leased assets emissions that are used by the organization but are not owned by the organization. It can include emissions from buildings, machinery, and vehicles.

### **Franchises**

This includes emissions from the organization's franchise operations, which can consist of emissions from transportation, waste, and energy consumption.

### **Investments**

This includes emissions from the organization's investments, which can consist of emissions from portfolio companies and venture capital investments.

## **Importance of Scope 3 Emissions**

Scope 3 emissions are important because they account for a significant portion of an organization's total greenhouse gas emissions.

![Importance_of_Scope_3_Emissions](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Importance_of_Scope_3_Emissions.png?width=1920&name=Importance_of_Scope_3_Emissions.png)

1. Examine their supply chain for emission hotspots.
2. Determine the threats to their supply chain's resources and energy.
3. Determine which providers are leaders and which are laggards for sustainability.
4. Identify potential for energy efficiency and cost savings in their supply chain.
5. Engage and help suppliers in implementing sustainable initiatives.
6. Improve their goods' energy efficiency;
7. Reduce emissions from corporate travel and staff commute by engaging employees positively.

## **Benefits of Measuring Scope 3 Emissions**

Measuring Scope 3 emissions can provide organizations with insight into their environmental impact and help them to identify opportunities to reduce emissions.

![Benefits_and_Challenges_of__Measuring_Scope_3_Emissions](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Benefits_and_Challenges_of__Measuring_Scope_3_Emissions.png?width=1920&name=Benefits_and_Challenges_of__Measuring_Scope_3_Emissions.png)

### **Effective Performance Evaluation**

Scope 3 emissions can provide a more accurate picture of an organization's environmental impact. It can help organizations to identify opportunities to reduce their environmental impact.

### **Focus on the Values Generated From Emission Strategies**

Scope 3 emissions can help organizations to focus on the values generated from emission reduction strategies. This can help organizations make more informed decisions about allocating resources to achieve their emission reduction goals.

### **Create Demonstrable Impact from Emission Reductions**

It helps organizations create demonstrable impacts from emission reductions. This can help organizations build trust with stakeholders and increase support for their emission reduction efforts.

## **Challenges of Measuring Scope 3 Emissions**

Measuring Scope 3 emissions can be challenging because they are often the result of indirect activities. This can make it challenging to identify the emissions sources and develop accurate models to estimate emissions.

### **Inaccurate Estimations**

Scope 3 emissions can be challenging to estimate accurately. This is due to the indirect nature of Scope 3 emissions and the difficulty of identifying all emissions sources.

### **Data Collection Challenges**

Measuring Scope 3 emissions can also be challenging because of the difficulty of collecting accurate data. The indirect nature of Scope 3 emissions contributes to the problem of identifying all the emissions sources.

## **Conclusion**

Scope 3 emissions are important because they account for a significant portion of an organization's total greenhouse gas emissions.

Measuring Scope 3 emissions can provide organizations with insight into their environmental impact and help them to identify opportunities to reduce emissions.

Scope 3 emissions can be challenging to measure accurately, but the benefits of measuring Scope 3 emissions outweigh the challenges.

## **FAQs**

### **1. What are Scope 3 Emissions?**

Scope 3 Emissions are those indirect emissions that result from activities conducted by the organization. Scope 3 can include emissions from transportation, waste, and energy consumption.

### **2. What are the benefits of measuring Scope 3 Emissions?**

Measuring Scope 3 emissions can provide organizations with insight into their environmental impact and help them to identify opportunities to reduce emissions.

### **3. What are the challenges of measuring Scope 3 Emissions?**

Measuring Scope 3 emissions can be challenging because they are often the result of indirect activities. This can make it challenging to identify the emissions sources and develop accurate models to estimate emissions.

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