Scope 3 emissions that food and drink manufacturers can influence this year

In food and drink manufacturing, most of the carbon footprint sits in Scope 3 emissions. The good news? These emissions may be outside your direct control, but they’re not beyond your influence. With clear asks, shared data and practical support, you can help your supply chain decarbonise on your timetable. 

Here are four areas to focus on this year, which can help to turn the dial: 

Decarbonisation of purchased goods, ingredients and packaging 

Start with your top 20-50 suppliers by spend or emissions. Request monthly data on their energy consumption, their fuel mix and production yield. This transparency is the first step in building a ladder of expectations: first disclose, then improve, and finally, decarbonise. 

If one of your suppliers lacks the capital needed to fund decarbonisation projects, Centrica Business Solutions can fund and operate energy solutions on their sites under one of our in-house financing agreements. This will give you auditable reductions tied to real meters, rather than estimates. This approach not only accelerates decarbonisation but also strengthens supplier relationships through shared value creation. 

Decarbonisation of upstream and downstream logistics 

Electrification is already viable for several logistics segments. Yard tractors, site vans and rigid vehicles operating on urban routes can be transitioned to electric models today. While electric HGVs may still be on the horizon, sustainability gains can be made through telematics, route optimisation and driver coaching. 

Smart depot charging infrastructure is also key here. It should be designed to maximise the use of on-site solar generation. Shore power for trailers can eliminate the need for reefers to idle in bays, cutting emissions and noise. To encourage supplier participation, offer access to your charge points at cost and request fuel and route data to support joint decarbonisation efforts. 

Decarbonisation of your cold chain and third-party storage 

Treat your supply chain’s storage facilities like mini factories. Encourage the adoption of floating head pressure systems, heat recovery technologies and power-quality conditioning. Short-duration batteries can prevent voltage dips from triggering costly temperature excursions. 

Where feasible, co-locate Solar PV installations with battery storage as part of a Microgrid solution, funded under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Ring-fencing a portion of this clean energy for your products ensures traceable, low-carbon storage and distribution. 

Management of data, claims and credibility 

To maintain credibility and avoid double counting, implement a single, auditable framework across your estate and priority suppliers. This ensures consistency and transparency, and will more effectively pass scrutiny from retailers and regulators. 

Centrica Business Solutions can support with sub-metering, financing and measurement and verification (M&V) across your supplier sites. This turns collaboration into bankable Scope 3 reductions, which can be tracked and reported alongside Scope 1 and 2 emissions in your quarterly value reviews.