Mind the gap

Unofficial AI-generated summary based on the public title and abstract. Not an official translation.

🔬研究者:Provides empirical evidence on the gap between SBT commitments and actual Scope 3 reduction efforts, highlighting the need for research on circular economy strategies.

🏢実務担当者:Demonstrates the importance of moving beyond Scope 1 and 2 to address value chain emissions, and the need for consistent disclosure to track progress.

🏛政策担当者:Shows that even early SBT adopters face significant challenges in Scope 3 reduction, suggesting that regulatory frameworks should mandate more detailed value chain reporting.

Value chain emissions constitute the largest share of most company's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, making their reduction essential for achieving science-based targets (SBTs) and supporting global climate goals. This study analyses the decarbonization efforts of six Danish early adopters of SBTs, focusing on their strategies to reduce emissions across product life cycles and value chains. Based on publicly disclosed data from company reports and responses to the CDP Climate Change Questionnaires, the findings reveal a primary focus on Scope 1 and 2 emissions, with limited efforts targeting value chain emissions (i.e., Scope 3) during the early years following target setting. The study highlights significant gaps between the reductions required to meet targets and the reported impact of current and planned strategies, with shortfalls ranging from 17% to 75% of current inventory levels. Additionally, the study highlights inconsistencies and gaps in company disclosures making it difficult to assess actual progress. To close these gaps, there is a need for more knowledge on how companies can accelerate value chain decarbonization - such as through circular economy strategies - and improved transparency in reporting. Enhanced corporate action and disclosure are critical to aligning with SBT commitments and ensuring meaningful climate progress.