How Georgia Businesses Can Tackle Scope 3 Emissions and Strengthen Their Supply Chains

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:18 Creature Comforts’ sustainability strategy
02:30 Why sustainability is good business
05:22 Benefits of joining the Drawdown Georgia Business Compact
09:06 Understanding Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions
12:21 How Creature Comforts began measuring Scope 3 emissions
13:58 Using spend-based analysis to estimate supply chain emissions
16:03 Working with suppliers to improve emissions data
17:09 Why Scope 3 emissions matter for breweries and manufacturers
20:08 Building stronger supplier relationships through sustainability
22:52 Advice for Georgia businesses getting started
27:57 What gives Jacob hope about climate solutions in Georgia
32:02 Final thoughts

Why should Georgia businesses focus on Scope 3 emissions?

For many businesses, reducing greenhouse gas emissions starts with improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, and lowering emissions from their own facilities. But for companies that manufacture products or rely on complex supply chains, the largest opportunity often lies beyond their own operations.

In this episode of the Georgia Climate Digest interview series, Eriqah Vincent sits down with Jacob Yarbrough, Senior Sustainability Manager at Creature Comforts Brewing Co., to discuss how the Athens-based brewery is measuring and reducing Scope 3 emissions while strengthening supplier relationships and improving long-term business resilience. The conversation offers practical guidance for business leaders responsible for sustainability, operations, procurement, ESG reporting, and supply chain management.

What are Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions?

Jacob explains the differences between Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, why Scope 3 emissions frequently account for the largest share of a company’s carbon footprint, and why understanding these categories is essential for developing an effective emissions reduction strategy.

He also explains how the Greenhouse Gas Protocol helps organizations measure emissions consistently and why businesses should not wait for perfect data before getting started.

How did Creature Comforts begin reducing Scope 3 emissions?

Rather than waiting until every data point was available, Creature Comforts built a practical roadmap using a spend-based emissions analysis before working directly with suppliers to improve the accuracy of its greenhouse gas emissions reporting.

Jacob discusses how collaborating with suppliers led to stronger partnerships, better emissions data, and purchasing decisions that aligned with both the company’s sustainability goals and its business priorities. He also shares how participating in the Drawdown Georgia Business Compact connected Creature Comforts with Georgia Tech researchers and other organizations working to advance practical climate solutions for Georgia businesses.

What will business leaders learn from this interview?

Whether your organization is just beginning to measure greenhouse gas emissions or is looking to improve its Scope 3 emissions reporting, this interview offers practical advice you can apply immediately. You’ll learn how to identify emissions hotspots, engage suppliers as partners, build a stronger business case for sustainability, and uncover opportunities to reduce costs while strengthening your supply chain.

Continue reading in our companion blog for additional examples, business insights, and practical takeaways from Jacob’s approach to measuring and reducing Scope 3 emissions.

Download the interview transcript

Prefer to read the conversation instead? Download the complete PDF transcript of this interview with Jacob Yarbrough to explore his insights on Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions, sustainable supply chains, supplier engagement, greenhouse gas emissions reporting, and the business value of sustainability.