Scope 3 emissions for cities: a pathway to local and resilient urban systems

01 Jun 2025

Cities play a central role in driving global environmental impacts. They are responsible for over 75% of natural resource use and more than 70% of global carbon emissions and waste. This immense footprint positions cities as both major contributors to environmental degradation and powerful actors in leading the transition toward sustainability, particularly through a circular economy approach.

Material flows in a city in the Netherlands

Why material flows matter: How cities can reduce Scope 3 emissions and lead the circular economy

The traditional “take-make-waste” model, dominant in urban economies, accelerates resource extraction and waste generation. Understanding material flows is essential not only for better waste management, but also for addressing the root causes of overconsumption and unsustainable production. Although many emissions occur outside city boundaries, cities can influence supply chains and consumption patterns through local policy, procurement, and regulation.

Urban lifestyles, especially in high-income areas, drive a high demand for materials such as steel, cement, textiles and electronics, often resulting in high "embodied emissions." These are emissions generated during the production and transport of goods consumed in cities, but emitted elsewhere. In Amsterdam, for example, 78% of the city’s CO₂ emissions are linked to material consumption. Ignoring these supply chain-related (Scope 3) emissions means overlooking the majority of a city’s climate impact. Addressing urban material flows allows cities to significantly reduce their contribution to climate change (but also to pollution, and biodiversity loss.

Understanding material flows is also key to building urban resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic and global conflicts have exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains. Cities that rely heavily on imported construction materials, food, or electronics are especially exposed to disruptions. By mapping dependencies, cities can identify risks and shift toward more circular, local, and resilient material systems. Urban mining, reuse, and recycling can help buffer cities from supply shocks and price volatility.

Scope 3 emissions: A local responsibility

Although Scope 3 emissions occur outside city jurisdictions, they are a direct result of local consumption and occur within their circle of influence. Cities have tools to influence emissions through public procurement, sustainable building codes, economic incentives, and education.

There is also increasing regulatory and ethical pressure. The EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan and national targets, such as the Netherlands’ goal of full circularity by 2050, require local involvement. Following the Urgenda ruling, the legal duty of care to protect citizens from climate risks may also apply to local governments, requiring them to take stronger climate action. This includes addressing Scope 3 emissions, as part of their responsibility to reduce the broader environmental impact.

“Cities that understand their material dependencies can reduce environmental impact and increase resilience.”

1. Incorporate Material Flow Analysis (MFA) into city planning
Tools like MFA and environmental impact assessments help identify the largest material streams and their impacts.

2. Set measurable targets for material reduction and circularity
Cities should set targets on metrics such as material footprints, secondary material use, and reductions in Scope 3 emissions.

3. Focus on high-impact sectors
Prioritize interventions in food, construction, textiles, and electronics, which have the highest material and carbon footprints.

4. Use procurement and policy to shift markets
By choosing low-impact, circular products, cities can influence supply chains and support sustainable business practices.

5. Measure and communicate progress
Transparency builds support and accountability. Cities should report regularly on indicators such as per-capita material use or recycling rates.

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Way forward

If city climate strategies ignore supply-chain and imported emissions (Scope 3), they are overlooking the majority of their climate impact. Managing material flows is not a burden, but an opportunity. Cities that understand their material dependencies can reduce emissions, increase resilience, drive innovation, and improve quality of life. In doing so, they move from being passive contributors to global problems to active leaders in sustainable solutions. This transition is essential for achieving a sustainable and resilient future, both locally and globally.

Get in touch with:

Jan van 't Hek

Co-owner, sustainability advisor