Are Sustainable Supply Chains Managing Scope 3 Emissions? A Systematic Literature Review

Miriam Borchardt (), Giancarlo Pereira, Gabriel Milan, Elisabeth Pereira, Leandro Lima, Renata Bianchi and Annibal Scavarda do Carmo
Additional contact information
Miriam Borchardt: Department of Production Engineering, Polytechnic School, Vale do Rio dos Sinos University (UNISINOS), São Leopoldo 93022-750, Brazil
Giancarlo Pereira: Department of Production Engineering, Paulista University (UNIP), São Paulo 04026-002, Brazil
Gabriel Milan: Department of Production Engineering, Polytechnic School, Vale do Rio dos Sinos University (UNISINOS), São Leopoldo 93022-750, Brazil
Elisabeth Pereira: Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Leandro Lima: Department of Production Engineering, Polytechnic School, Vale do Rio dos Sinos University (UNISINOS), São Leopoldo 93022-750, Brazil
Renata Bianchi: Department of Production Engineering, Polytechnic School, Vale do Rio dos Sinos University (UNISINOS), São Leopoldo 93022-750, Brazil
Annibal Scavarda do Carmo: Department of Production Engineering, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói 24210-201, Brazil

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-22

Abstract: The sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) literature does not directly address Scope 3 emissions despite their role as primary drivers of greenhouse gas emissions. This study aims to provide an overview of the main themes through which the SSCM literature has considered Scope 3 emissions and identify further avenues for research. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted. Scopus and Web of Science were the databases considered. Sixty-one papers were included in the analysis. Most papers focus on assessing and estimating Scope 3 emissions, followed by papers that discuss the reporting of Scope 3 emissions. These papers shed light on how firms may not report Scope 3 emissions if the information is negative to improve investors’ perception of the firm. The last group of papers discusses practices and strategies to manage Scope 3 emissions. The main challenge identified in establishing strategies to manage Scope 3 emissions is engagement with stakeholders, as, generally, only one or two tiers of the value chain cooperate. This study is the first to organize the literature on Scope 3 emissions under the lens of SSCM. If supply chains are to become more sustainable, focal enterprise coordination must be effective and leverage practices such as Scope 3 emissions metrics and measurement, data sharing, and green product development for all stakeholders.

Keywords: Scope 3 emissions; sustainable supply chain; sustainable supply chain management; ESG; ESG report; GHG protocol; climate change; carbon emissions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/13/6066/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/13/6066/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:6066-:d:1693227

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().