Climate Impact
Published on
May 8, 2025

Proven Strategies to Reduce Scope 3 Emissions Across Your Value Chain

Scope 3 emissions are the largest and hardest to control. But with the right strategies, you can cut emissions across your supply chain and industrial systems. Here are 12 proven ways to do it.

Most companies can easily measure their Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (energy) emissions. But Scope  3 covering emissions across your entire value chain  is where most of your climate impact really lies.

For many businesses, Scope 3 can represent 70–90% of their total carbon footprint. And with the rise of regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), these emissions are no longer optional to report.

But here’s the challenge: Scope 3 covers everything you buy, sell, or influence from raw materials to customer use and disposal. It can be overwhelming.

That’s why the World Economic Forum’s Net Zero Accelerator Initiative offers a clear framework with 12 actionable strategies to reduce Scope 3 emissions. These are divided into four levels:

  1. Start from Within
  2. Empower Your Supply Chain
  3. Leverage Industrial Ecosystems
  4. Drive a Cultural Shift Toward Sustainability

Here’s how they work.

Action Level I: Start from Within

1. Automate Environmental Data Reporting

Cut manual work and reduce errors by automating data collection and reporting. This builds a foundation for accurate Scope 3 data without constant effort.

2. Drive a Green Product Design Revolution

Rethink your products for sustainability from the start. Use low-carbon materials, design for easy recycling, and prioritize energy efficiency.

3. Engage in Sustainable Business Model Innovation

Find new ways to deliver value without increasing emissions. This could mean switching to product-as-a-service models, or exploring circular economy strategies.

Action Level II: Empower Your Supply Chain

4. Foster a Partnership Mindset to Incentivize Suppliers

Work with suppliers rather than demanding data. Offer guidance, share best practices, and use green procurement criteria to drive change.

5. Bridge Knowledge and Technical Expertise Gaps

Help suppliers understand how to measure and report emissions. This could mean providing training or sharing emissions calculation tools.

6. Be a Role Model in Supply Chain Transparency

Lead by example. Share your own emissions data and reporting methods to encourage transparency throughout your value chain.

Action Level III: Leverage Industrial Ecosystems

7. Engage in Scope 3 Standards Harmonization

Collaborate with industry peers to adopt standardized methods and emissions factors. This makes data comparable and reduces reporting complexity.

8. Build Product Carbon Footprint Data Exchange Capability

Set up systems to collect, share, and validate product-level emissions data. Use recognized standards like ISO 14067 for carbon footprinting.

9. Support Sustainable Innovation and Infrastructure

Invest in low-carbon technologies, materials, and energy systems — either alone or through partnerships.

Action Level IV: Drive the Cultural Shift Toward a Sustainable Society

10. Shift Mindsets to Unlock Business Value Beyond Costs

Help your teams and partners understand that sustainability is not just an expense — it’s a value driver, building brand reputation and reducing risk.

11. Rethink Consumption and Make Green Choices Easier for Consumers

Make sustainable products your customers’ default choice. Use eco-labels, green packaging, or sustainable product lines.

12. Craft an Exciting Path to Value-Chain Decarbonization

Show your stakeholders that reducing emissions isn’t just a responsibility — it’s an opportunity. Use storytelling, visual data, and success stories to build momentum.

Why These Strategies Matter

Reducing Scope 3 emissions isn’t just about meeting regulatory requirements it’s about building a resilient, future-proof business. Companies that proactively manage their value chain emissions:

  • Build stronger supplier relationships
  • Differentiate in customer tenders with verified sustainability data
  • Improve brand reputation
  • Reduce regulatory risks and penalties

But these strategies are only as strong as the data behind them.

How ReFlow Helps You Achieve These Strategies

At ReFlow, we help companies turn Scope 3 emissions from a burden into a competitive advantage by providing activity-based, product-specific carbon data. Our platform is built to:

  • Translate product bills of material (BOMs) into verified carbon footprints
  • Provide ISO-aligned data (ISO 14067, 14040/44) for credibility and traceability
  • Generate Scope 3-ready reports aligned with CSRD and EU Taxonomy
  • Engage your suppliers, helping them understand and reduce their own emissions

Whether you’re a manufacturer, shipowner, or product supplier, ReFlow makes Scope 3 data clear, credible, and compliant.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why are Scope 3 emissions so hard to measure?

Because they cover your entire value chain - from raw materials to product use and disposal. Data must be collected from multiple suppliers and standardized.

Can I use estimates for Scope 3 reporting?

You can start with estimates, but regulators increasingly expect activity-based and traceable data.

How can I incentivize my suppliers to share emissions data?

Offer training, support, and preferred supplier status for those who meet your sustainability criteria. ReFlow can help you collect and manage supplier data.

What standards should I use for Scope 3 data?

We recommend ISO 14067 for product carbon footprints, and ISO 14040/44 for lifecycle assessments both of which are integrated into ReFlow’s platform.

We provide your CO₂ data

ReFlow was founded to transform environmental performance with data-driven life-cycle analysis, empowering sustainable decisions.
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