Agrifood Sector Urged to Address Scope 3 Emissions for Climate Goals
Amsterdam, Saturday, 24 May 2025.
A new report highlights the importance for agrifood businesses to focus on Scope 3 emissions to meet 2050 climate targets, enhancing their competitiveness and reducing environmental impact through supply chain strategies.
Understanding Scope 3 Emissions in the Agrifood Sector
Scope 3 emissions, which are indirect emissions occurring in a company’s entire value chain, represent a significant portion of the total emissions profile for businesses in the agrifood sector. Despite being crucial, these emissions are notoriously difficult to manage due to the complexity of supply chains. For food companies, approximately 90% of greenhouse gas emissions are classified as Scope 3, dominated by upstream activities. For agricultural input providers, nearly 50% of emissions fall under this category, primarily from land-based sources [1].
Call to Action: 2050 Targets and Climate Resilience
As the world sets its sights on achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the agrifood industry is urged to address Scope 3 emissions as a critical measure of resilience and competitiveness. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has emphasized the need for agrifood supply chains to disclose credible data on these emissions. This transparency is essential for mobilizing capital, meeting government regulations, and fulfilling corporate sustainability pledges [1].
Innovative Approaches and Initiatives
Companies like PepsiCo have recognized the importance of addressing Scope 3 emissions, incorporating them into their broader climate change mitigation strategies. PepsiCo is targeting a 30% reduction in Scope 3 Forest, Land, and Agriculture emissions by 2030 based on a 2022 baseline. This involves engaging suppliers and adopting sustainable agricultural practices, indicating a committed shift towards a more resilient model by 2050 [2].
The Role of New Tools and Strategies
To aid businesses in tackling these intricate emissions, WBCSD has developed a new Scope 3 Toolkit aimed at accelerating emissions reductions within agri-food value chains. This toolkit offers guidance on measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) of Scope 3 emissions, thereby promoting transparency and enabling businesses to adopt more informed climate strategies [3].