Decarbonisation – scope 3

Emissions produced by our value-chain partners

Reducing emissions from natural gas sales

To meet our 2040 net-zero target, we must not only reduce emissions from our own generation and operations, but also those produced by our value-chain partners – known as scope 3 emissions.

Most of our scope 3 emissions stem from the sale of natural gas, for which we’ve set reduction targets in line with a 1.5 °C pathway. In fact, we reduced emissions from gas sales by 75 % between 2018 and 2025.

Our remaining scope 3 emissions are linked to our supply chain. These include emissions from the manufacture, installation, and transport of our renewable energy assets – activities that will all need to grow as we scale the build-out of renewable energy.

How we’re tackling supply chain emissions

We are addressing our remaining supply-chain emissions on four main fronts:

1. Industry-standard carbon measurement

Working with the Carbon Trust and other offshore developers, we are developing an industry-standard means of measuring carbon that enables comparison and improves transparency.

2. Cross-sector collaboration

To build demand for breakthrough technologies, we’re working with the Climate Group’s SteelZero initiative, the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) First Movers Coalition, and other key actors.

3. Supplier engagement

We work with key suppliers to help them integrate decarbonisation into their strategies and operations – including science-based targets, transparent reporting, and renewable energy use.

4. Supplier partnerships

We also work with suppliers to advance low-emission technologies and support their deployment at commercial scale, securing access to the low-emission materials needed for our future build-out.

Tracking our progress

We track our scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, including and excluding gas sales.
Each measure has a different science-based target.

Orsted Scope 1-3 greenhouse gas emissions intensity for 2025

Foundations for low-emission steel

Reducing emissions from steel production will require more than new technologies – it demands coordinated action on materials, energy inputs, infrastructure, and long-term partnerships. By building these foundations now, we can unlock the low-emission steel essential for a sustainable energy transition. Find out more here.

How we can move to low-carbon steel

Decarbonising steel is one of the biggest challenges in global industry, requiring cleaner energy inputs, innovative production methods, investment in new infrastructure, and coordinated action across markets. If achieved, it will dramatically reduce embodied emissions in renewable energy projects. Read about our vision for getting there.

Scope 1 and 2 emissions

Often described as ‘direct’ emissions, scope 1 emissions are produced mainly via our company’s own energy generation and consumption of fossil fuels. By contrast, ‘indirect’ scope 2 emissions arise from electricity and district heating we buy from the grid. Learn about scope 1 and scope 2 emissions and how we are reducing them here.

What is net zero?

The SBTi’s Corporate Net-Zero Standard is the world’s only framework for corporate net-zero target setting in line with climate science. It provides the guidance, criteria, and recommendations companies need to set science-based net-zero targets. Learn about net zero, science-based targets, and the SBTi here.

Biodiversity

We are integrating biodiversity protection and restoration into every project we develop – aiming for a net-positive impact on nature from 2030. Through pioneering frameworks, partnerships, and pilot projects, we’re developing practical ways to restore ecosystems on land and at sea. Learn more about Ørsted and biodiversity.

Three technicians in front of the building

Community impact

It is our position that Ørsted projects should benefit the communities where we operate. We want to be a positive force, and we depend on good relations and trust to succeed with our projects. Discover how we’re living up to this responsibility in communities around the world.

Asset-specific life cycle assessments

To improve the transparency of supply chain emissions linked to our offshore wind farms, we have started basing our reports on asset-specific calculations. To do this, we use life-cycle assessments (LCAs) of emissions for each of our offshore assets