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Freight chief calls for industry to take the lead on Scope 3 emissions

[ November 3, 2025   //   ]

Following warnings ahead of the COP30 global environmental summit that overshooting the 1.5°C target is now inevitable,chairman of UK logistics company Baxter Freight, Ian Baxter says that the logistics and supply chain sector must take the lead on cutting global carbon emissions.

While many organisations are addressing their direct (Scope 1 and 2) emissions, he argues that the real opportunity for climate impact lies in tackling Scope 3 emissions generated across supply chains, and accounting for almost two-thirds of all corporate carbon output.

He said: “Sadly, The Royal Meteorological Society reported the 1.5°C threshold has already been breached and that the last decade was the hottest ever. The consequences are plain to see: over 600 extreme weather events took place in 2024, displacing 800,000 people and costing more than $229 billion. With the number of climate refugees estimated at several hundred million by 2050, mitigation steps are an urgent necessity not just a political choice.

“It is therefore no surprise that UK businesses have been under both legislative and commercial pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, and this will surely only grow. Awareness of the challenge is increasing, and many companies are taking decisive action especially regarding their direct so-called Scope 1 and 2 emissions. The problem is that for most companies their greatest impacts are their indirect or Scope 3 emissions. The World Economic Forum estimates that two thirds of all business’s emissions lie within their supply chain alone. So, if we want to tackle climate change there is no option but to attack them.

“There has been much talk in business and beyond of the costs of sustainability policies and it’s clear that the necessary changes won’t come for free. But if the need for an urgent response to climate change is unstoppable then companies should not only see the costs of necessary change but the opportunities as well. Every business knows it isn’t enough to be competitive today: they must work towards being fit to face their market in 20 years’ time..

“Companies need accurate, verifiable reporting of what their Scope 3 emissions actually are – what you can’t measure you cannot manage as they say. The second is they need a strategy to reduce them, using different modes and methods for their logistics for example. Lastly, they can adopt an ethical and verifiable carbon in-setting strategy to mitigate any residual emissions.

“Taken together these three crucial steps will radically transform companies’ Scope 3 positions. Every business should seize the opportunities grasping this nettle will bring as well as recognising the consequences of a failure to do so.”

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