Scope 2 emissions are indirect greenhouse gas emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling used by a company. In the food and beverage sector, this includes emissions from powering food processing plants, running refrigeration for cold storage, and operating lighting and machinery in manufacturing facilities.

Reducing scope 2 emissions for food and beverage companies often involves transitioning to renewable electricity, whether through onsite solar installations, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), or the purchase of Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs). For many food and beverage businesses within energy hungry verticals like dairy, grain, and meat production, a transition to renewable electricity offers a reliable means to meeting climate goals–including those set forth by the SBTI–without sacrificing operational efficiency.

3Degrees supports food and beverage companies by developing tailored renewable energy strategies. Our team evaluates a range of solutions—including PPAs, onsite solar, and EACs—and guides food and beverage clients through the decision-making process, ensuring each solution aligns with their sustainability objectives and unique operational needs.

Scope 1 emissions are direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources a company owns or controls. For the food and beverage sector, this includes on-site fuel combustion for food processing and heating, fuel used in company-owned delivery fleets, and refrigerants leaking from refrigeration or cold storage equipment.

For food and beverage companies with manufacturing or processing facilities, renewable natural gas (RNG), also known as biomethane, offers a significant opportunity to reduce scope 1 emissions by utilizing renewable energy for food processing. By directly substituting conventional natural gas with RNG, companies can switch to a lower carbon intensity fuel without extensive operational changes. This strategy utilizes existing infrastructure while significantly cutting scope 1 emissions associated with manufacturing and food processing. Especially for businesses with large cold-chain storage facilities–including in dairy, pork, beef, and poultry production–renewable energy procurement can offer a necessary power source without compromising climate goals.

At 3Degrees, we support clients in evaluating RNG procurement feasibility, building business cases, and developing transparent claims strategies. Our team also works to enhance data quality and pinpoint emission hotspots through comprehensive accounting practices, aligning with leading reporting frameworks such as CDP and CSRD.

Non-CO2 agricultural emissions, like methane, can be reduced by supporting supplier adoption of sustainable practices. Key methods include using feed additives to reduce enteric methane from livestock, implementing advanced manure management (like anaerobic digestion), and utilizing improved nutrient management and alternative irrigation techniques.

While non-CO2 emissions, including agricultural methane emissions, make up a considerable portion of the total emissions output of large food and beverage companies, many businesses are implementing scalable solutions to specifically mitigate non-CO2 agricultural emissions. These include adopting feed additives that reduce enteric methane from livestock, improving manure management (e.g., anaerobic digestion), optimizing livestock health and productivity, and utilizing advanced irrigation techniques for rice cultivation (like alternate wetting and drying). In addition to mitigating methane emissions, these regenerative agriculture practices also contribute to overall farm sustainability.

3Degrees helps food and beverage companies address methane and other non-CO2 emissions by developing and implementing verified Supply Chain Reductions (SCRs), also known as value chain reductions or insets, through direct collaboration with agricultural suppliers. We offer expertise in GHG quantification, project development, and managing emission reduction projects including improved manure management and enteric methane reduction, ensuring credible and auditable outcomes for food and beverage clients.

Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by prioritizing internal efficiency and sourcing renewable energy. For scope 3, this includes engaging suppliers on practices like regenerative agriculture and enteric methane reduction. Crucially, companies can utilize the carbon market to finance and secure verified Supply Chain Reductions (SCRs), enabling them to meet complex SBTi targets through market mechanisms.

Despite significant challenges to emissions reduction in the food and beverage sector, major brands are implementing scalable decarbonization strategies across complex value chains. By engaging in strategic renewable energy procurement, building supplier engagement in food supply chains, addressing complex agricultural emissions, and ensuring compliance with leading standards such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) and SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative), food and beverage companies can make significant strides toward scope1, 2, and 3 decarbonization.

At 3Degrees, we partner with leading brands across the food and beverage sector–including dairy, beverage, and snack manufacturers– to provide customized decarbonization strategies across the entire value chain, including renewable energy procurement for food processing and cold storage, expert strategy consulting, and solutions for targeted agricultural emissions reduction. Our goal is to drive real climate impact, supporting food and beverage leaders from fertilizer production to retail shelves.

Scope 3 emissions are all other indirect emissions in a company's value chain, both upstream and downstream. For the food and beverage sector, this includes farm-level emissions from crops and livestock, transportation, fertilizer production, and the emissions from product packaging and waste.

For food and beverage companies, lowering scope 3 emissions involves measuring and analyzing emissions across the entire value chain, identifying key hotspots, and fostering supplier engagement in food supply chains to implement reduction initiatives. Setting science-based targets, such as those established by the Science Based Targets initiative, or SBTi, offers food and beverage companies a valuable framework for their agricultural emissions reductions objectives.

3Degrees guides clients through their scope 3 journey: from measurement and hotspot analysis to launching Supply Chain Reduction (SCR) projects by supporting emission reduction projects within their value chains. Our services include robust agricultural emissions accounting, targeted supplier engagement, and setting science-aligned targets, including SBTi FLAG objectives.