Why Supply Chain Emissions are the Biggest Blind Spot in Food and Beverage

For food and beverage companies, climate action often starts close to home — with energy-efficient operations, low-waste production, and lower-impact packaging. But these internal initiatives, while important, barely scratch the surface.

The majority of a company’s emissions often come from the extended supply chain — including how products are sourced, transported, and used. And yet, despite the scale of this challenge, many businesses are still flying blind.

In fact, the majority of a food and beverage company’s total emissions can come from the later stages of the supply chain, including everything from how productions are prepared for distribution, transported, and even consumed.

Yet despite the scale of the problem, many companies are still in the dark.

Scope 3 emissions in food and beverage are complex, global, and fragmented. Ingredients may pass through dozens of suppliers, each with different environmental standards and data capabilities.

Unlike Scope 1 or 2, these emissions are tied to activities outside a company’s direct control, making visibility — let alone reduction — a serious challenge. And with regulatory and investor scrutiny accelerating, the companies without a Scope 3 strategy will quickly find themselves behind.

If food and beverage companies want to meet their climate goals and protect long-term value, Scope 3 can’t be an afterthought.

1. Agriculture alone contributes to nearly a third of global GHG emissions.

2. Transportation is growing rapidly, driven by global exports and last-mile delivery.

3. Consumers and investors are demanding greater accountability across the entire value chain.

Scope 3 emissions aren’t just a reporting issue — they’re a business risk.

Blind spots in supply chain emissions can impact:

1. Profitability: High-emission suppliers and inefficient logistics drive hidden costs.

2. Reputation: Stakeholders expect transparency, not just promises.

3. Resilience: Supply chains heavy in carbon are more exposed to climate risk and regulatory shifts.

You don’t need to be a global giant to take meaningful action.

Here are four steps any company can take to shed light on supply chain emissions:

1. Identify your hotspots. Focus on high-impact areas like agriculture, packaging, and transportation.

2. Engage your suppliers. Start conversations and align on sustainability data, reduction goals, and visibility.

3. Establish a Scope 3 strategy. Establish realistic baselines and use credible tools to measure progress over time.

4. Leverage Expert Resources: Industry playbooks, templates, and peer case studies can help you take faster, smarter action.

We created the Food & Beverage Playbook to help companies turn Scope 3 emissions into a strategic advantage.

Inside, you’ll find:

1. A framework for identifying and addressing emissions blind spots

2. Supplier engagement tactics that drive results

3. Examples from leaders like Nestlé, Mars, and PepsiCo

4. Emissions tracking tools and actionable templates

Download the playbook now →

Because the most overlooked emissions are often the ones with the greatest opportunity.