Scope 3 Action

Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions remain a key Alliance priority, as they account for ~90% of Alliance emissions.

Tackling Scope 3 Downstream Emissions

Launched 28 April, 2025

Scope 3 downstream emissions, those generated after a product leaves a company’s hands, account for 72% of all Alliance members’ total emissions (previously 67%). Tackling this major emissions source is critical to our decarbonization goals and we have worked with Alliance members to develop a Scope 3 Downstream Challenge and a Handbook to help them minimize their footprint.

Downstream Solutions Challenge

The Downstream Solutions Challenge is a platform for World Economic Forum communities to showcase their most impactful and innovative practices in Scope 3 Downstream emissions reduction.

Scope 3 Downstream Handbook

The handbook offers a deep dive into downstream emissions, outlines the Alliance’s strategic approach, identifies key perceived barriers, and presents practical levers for action, illustrated through case studies from member companies across diverse sectors. It introduces 4 focus areas, broken down into 12 practical levers to guide action:

✔ Design for Sustainability

✔ Attract Customers

✔ Manage Financial Flows

✔ Optimize Transport & Distribution

Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders Scope 3 Upstream Action Plan

Launched 29 November, 2023

The Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders initiated an ambitious action plan to tackle Scope 3 upstream emissions

In an unprecedented effort to scale collaborative action across value chains, the world’s largest CEO-led climate alliance, the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, is aiming to bolster decarbonization through its Scope 3 upstream action plan.

Alliance member companies with a combined +0.5 Gt Scope 3 upstream footprint — more than the annual emissions of Australia — have endorsed the action plan as guidance.

The action plan

By endorsing the action plan, Alliance members should use the following guidance to bolster their action on Scope 3 upstream emissions, working towards the below milestones.

2025

Scope 3 targets

By 2025, members of the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders will set Scope 3 targets aligned with a 2050 net-zero pathway and a transition plan.

2025

Supplier engagement - 33%

By 2025, members should have put in place a supplier engagement plan and started to engage at least 30% of their supplier base (based on share of emissions or spend).

Supplier engagement - 67%

By 2026, members should have engaged at least 67% of their supplier base (based on share of emissions) on the ask to suppliers.

Supplier scope 1-3 targets

By 2028, members ask suppliers to have Scope 1-3 targets in place aligned towards a 2050 net-zero pathway, disclose emissions and ensure equivalent systematic emissions reductions.

Transparency

The Alliance also encourages suppliers to gain transparency on their product carbon footprint and develop net-zero transition plans.

Net-Zero Value Chain Support Hub

The Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders has launched the Net-Zero Value Chain Support Hub, an online Scope 3 upstream support hub to help members and suppliers drive value chain emission reductions.

The support hub is a one-stop shop for procurement teams and suppliers to guide supply chain decarbonization. Decarbonizing global value chains cannot be done in siloes. We must collaborate across industries, borders and value chains. Therefore, the Alliance calls on fellow business leaders and suppliers to join the action plan to tackle Scope 3 upstream emissions.

Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders

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