Emissions at the subnational level, within local governments’ jurisdictions, are well documented in the UK. The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) provides comprehensive data on sectoral emissions (buildings, transport, waste, etc.), and many local authorities have taken significant steps to measure their own jurisdictional footprints and declare climate emergencies.
Far fewer councils, however, comprehensively measure their organisational carbon footprint, or specifically, the emissions arising from their operations. Just like private businesses, local authorities have a “value chain”, or a series of interconnected processes of adding value to goods and services that are vital for council operations. All emissions across this value chain will be part of a council’s carbon footprint, both direct emissions from energy consumption in council-owned assets, as well as indirect emissions from the production of goods a council procures. These emissions are usually classified into three different scopes. These are:
- Scope 1 (direct emissions from council-owned buildings and vehicles)
- Scope 2 (indirect emissions from the production of energy used by the council, such as electricity)
- Scope 3 (all other emissions across the council’s value chain).
Importantly, a large portion of these indirect Scope 3 emissions will occur outside of the council’s jurisdiction, such as the manufacture of construction materials used in council buildings. Therefore, the council is not fully capturing its impact on the climate if it is only measuring emissions within the region, rather than its full footprint across Scopes 1, 2, and 3.
Despite this, relatively few – only around 35% according to the Local Government Association – of local authorities currently measure their Scope 3 emissions, and many of these fail to accurately capture their full impact on the climate across their Scope 3. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of measuring Scope 3 emissions for local authorities, the difficulties local authorities face in measuring them, and how public bodies can get started measuring Scope 3 emissions today.
Scope 3 emissions are vital to reaching net-zero and fighting climate change
As leaders in their communities, local authorities must measure and reduce their own footprints to demonstrate their commitment to achieving district-wide net-zero goals. In doing so, they send a strong signal to stakeholders that the time to act is now. This proactive approach is vital to accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future in their region.
Scope 3 emissions, particularly those stemming from a local authority’s supply chain, are emissions effectively “induced” by the local authority’s activities. When a local authority procures goods and services, it triggers a cascade of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the supply chain, from resource extraction to final delivery. These activities, often carbon-intensive, can account for up to 80% of a local authority’s total footprint.
By recognising the significant role they play in driving these emissions, local authorities can take proactive steps to reduce their carbon footprint. This involves not only accounting for Scope 3 emissions, but also collaborating with suppliers to implement sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.
What’s stopping local authorities from measuring their Scope 3?
Scope 3 emissions, particularly those stemming from upstream supply chains, present significant challenges for measurement. Accurately assessing the full cradle-to-gate emissions of a good or service requires meticulous tracking of emissions across multiple tiers of the supply chain, from resource extraction to transportation and processing. This complex task often relies on sophisticated lifecycle analysis techniques, which demand specialised expertise and significant data collection.
In addition, the pursuit of net-zero targets is a formidable challenge, and local authorities often face resource constraints. With limited budgets and personnel, they may prioritise investments in more immediate and tangible emissions reduction projects, such as energy efficiency improvements in buildings or the deployment of renewable energy sources. While these efforts are essential, they may overlook the significant impact of Scope 3 emissions on the overall carbon footprint, which play a vital role in local, national, and global emissions reductions.
Basic first steps for measuring scope 3 emissions
If you’re new to measuring your Scope 3 emissions, a spend-based approach is a great place to start. While not the most precise, it offers a valuable baseline for companies taking their first steps towards emissions measurement. Remember, every journey begins with a single step, and measuring your emissions, even in a basic way, positions you for continuous improvement and more accurate calculations in the future.
The spend-based approach is a robust starting point for calculating emissions from Category 1, purchased goods and services, often the largest contributor to a company’s Scope 3 footprint. Additionally, this method can be applied to most Scope 3 categories, including waste, logistics, and business travel, providing a versatile initial assessment.
To calculate emissions using a spend-based approach, you’ll need a reliable database of emissions factors. Exiobase is a leading environmentally extended input-output (EEIO) table that provides comprehensive data on climate impacts across industries and regions. However, if you are not well versed in lifecycle analysis, accessing its full capabilities may require a fee. Small World Consulting offers a free version of their EEIO table and spend-based emission factors, making it a great starting point for companies new to Scope 3 measurement.
As you measure, you’ll gain insights into the specific data needed to refine your emissions calculations beyond the spend-based approach. For instance, tracking business travel distance and modes instead of just category expenditure can provide more accurate emissions data. Collaborating with waste providers to measure waste type, mass, and routes can also enhance accuracy. Similarly, requesting detailed tonne-kilometre reports from logistics providers can improve the precision of upstream transportation and distribution calculations.
Depending on your size, you may have access to business intelligence tools that can be extremely useful for improving data collection and emissions calculations accuracy. By centralising and standardising data across departments, business intelligence tools can provide a comprehensive view of a company’s operations, making it easier to identify and track relevant emissions data. These tools can often integrate with emissions calculation tools, automating data transfer and reducing the risk of errors. By understanding your current systems and the data held within them, you can set out a path to improved Scope 3 emissions data over time.
In conclusion, by understanding the significant role local authorities play in driving emissions, both directly and indirectly, it becomes clear that measuring and reducing Scope 3 emissions is essential. While the journey may be complex, taking the initial steps, such as conducting a spend-based assessment, can provide valuable insights and lay the groundwork for more comprehensive future analysis.
As local authorities strive to achieve net-zero targets, it is imperative to embrace a holistic approach that considers the full scope of their environmental impact. By prioritising Scope 3 emissions, local authorities can demonstrate leadership, inspire action, and contribute to a more sustainable future for all.
Do you need help measuring, monitoring, and reducing your Scope 3 emissions? Reach out to us at info@cityscience.com or on LinkedIn.