Why Ingredient-Level Data Is the Key to Accurate Scope 3 Reporting

Ingredient-level data is the missing link between your menu and your mandatory disclosures. It’s what turns climate goals into measurable numbers and allows food businesses to meet standards and regulations like the GHG Protocol and CSRD with confidence.

Scope 3: The Hidden Majority in Food Emissions

For most food businesses, Scope 3 emissions—encompassing everything that occurs upstream and downstream of their operations—account for around 95% of total emissions.

That includes:
• Agricultural production (feed, fertilizer, land use)
• Manufacturing of packaging and kitchen equipment
• Transportation and distribution of ingredients
• Outsourced services like laundry and waste management

In other words, the biggest part of your footprint happens outside your walls.

If you’re new to emission scopes, start with our Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions Guide for Food Businesses.

Why Category-Level Data Isn’t Enough

Many food businesses still rely on broad averages. That’s a start, but it’s not enough for accurate reporting or reduction.

Here’s why:

When you use averages, you risk underestimating or overstating your footprint—and making the wrong business decisions. Learn more about how to calculate your carbon footprint here.

Ingredient-Level Data: Where Accuracy Begins

To meet reporting standards like CSRD, businesses need verifiable data that reflects their actual purchasing behavior. That’s what ingredient-level data delivers.

It connects every recipe and purchase back to its true climate impact, based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data from verified scientific sources.

At Klimato, this means:
• 4,000+ ingredients, 20,000+ variations
• Data covering 100+ countries
• Reviewed by the Swedish Environmental Research Institute (IVL)
• Aligned with the Coolfood Methodology (World Resources Institute)
• Licensed by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

This is what turns a sustainability estimate into a defensible report.

2. Cost savings & operational efficiency

Measuring your emissions—especially in high-impact areas like ingredients, waste, packaging and logistics—often uncovers inefficiencies you wouldn’t otherwise see. In the food-industry, Scope 3 often represents ~95% of total emissions, making it a major lever for improvement.

By acting on that data you can optimize procurement (e.g., lower‐emission ingredients), reduce waste, improve logistics and thereby reduce cost. Switching from high-emission foods such as beef to lower-emission alternatives as a key margin opportunity. 

Therefore: compliance measurement = data = operational insight = cost savings.

How Ingredient Data Powers Better Scope 3 Reporting

Ingredient-level accuracy unlocks four key benefits:

Supplier Visibility

You can pinpoint which suppliers, ingredients, or categories drive the most emissions, and focus on them first.

Regulatory Alignment

When CSRD or GRI reporting requires Scope 3 data, you can trace every figure back to a standardized LCA source.

Menu Optimization

Chefs and buyers can make climate-smart swaps without guesswork—switching from high-impact ingredients to lower-carbon options, which in turn reduces Scope 3.

Credible Communication

Public disclosures, ESG reports, and tender responses are backed by verifiable science, not assumptions.

From Data to Decisions

Data alone doesn’t create change—insights do. With systems like Klimato, ingredient-level data flows directly into automated reports that show where emissions come from, how they trend over time, and where reductions will make the biggest impact.

For example, by analyzing ingredient-level data, caterers have been able to:
• Cut emissions by up to 66% through recipe redesigns
• Track real reductions across Scope 1–3
• Win new contracts with verifiable, data-backed reporting

FAQ: Ingredient-Level Data & Scope 3 Reporting

Q: What’s the difference between category- and ingredient-level data?
A: Category data uses averages (e.g., “beef”), while ingredient-level data accounts for variables like origin, farming method, and transport, delivering precise Scope 3 insight.

Q: Do I need ingredient-level data to comply with CSRD?
A: No, but it is highly recommended. CSRD requires companies to disclose Scope 1–3 emissions. Ingredient-level data provides the evidence base for accurate Scope 3 calculations.

Q:  Is ingredient-level data only relevant for large companies?
A: No. Even small and mid-sized food businesses benefit—it helps reduce costs, design lower-impact menus, and prepare for future reporting requirements.

Q: How does Klimato collect and maintain its data?
A: Through systematic literature reviews, peer-reviewed LCAs, and continuous updates validated by IVL and WRI partners.