Abstract
This study examines how data-driven emissions measurement can support the management of Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in cold chain logistics. Focusing on Purchased Goods and Services and Downstream Transportation and Distribution, the analysis draws on granular, real-world emissions data from a food manufacturing firm (Company A) to examine how Scope 3 emissions are distributed across products and logistics activities within temperature-controlled supply networks. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)-based approach integrates supplier-specific emissions information with logistics-level transportation data to identify recurring emission concentration patterns.
Using descriptive and comparative analysis supported by Python-based modelling, the study shows that agricultural sourcing and downstream transportation are dominant contributors to Scope 3 emissions, with a limited number of high-volume products accounting for a disproportionate share of total emissions. These findings demonstrate how product- and activity-level emissions visibility enables more targeted prioritisation of high-impact areas within complex supply networks.
Interpreted through a Stakeholder Theory lens, the study conceptualises emissions visibility as a coordinating mechanism that supports shared recognition of emission hotspots, stakeholder-aligned decision-making, and focused engagement across suppliers, logistics providers, and downstream retailers. By shifting attention from normative collaboration arguments toward the operational mechanisms through which coordination is enabled, the paper advances stakeholder-oriented sustainability research. The study contributes a replicable, measurement-led framework to support evidence-based Scope 3 emissions management in cold chain logistics and other emission-intensive supply networks.