Scope 3 Emissions

Resolute Forest Products has tracked scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since 2009, updating and disclosing its inventory since 2013. We disclose our annual carbon footprint to CDP, a globally recognized, non-profit framework that has long championed environmental disclosure as standard business practice. For more information, please consult our CDP climate change disclosure.

In 2021, we committed to work with our suppliers and related stakeholders to develop scope 3 emission reduction commitments, and in 2022, we established a scope 3 emission reduction target in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The target includes a 16.5% reduction in absolute scope 3 emissions by 2026 from 2015 levels (4,087 kt), in line with a 2°C trajectory.

Our science-based targets, which also encompass a scope 1 and 2 reduction goal, apply to all of our operations, as we delivered on our 2021 commitment to integrate our wood products facilities into our emissions reporting. These targets include a 41.5% reduction in absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2026 from 2015 levels (2,306 kt), in line with a well-below 2°C trajectory.

Scope 1, 2 and 3 Emissions
Emissions Type
2021 Performance
(Absolute)
 Percentage of
Total Emissions
Scope 1 1,119 kt CO2e 21.4%
Scope 2 451 kt CO2e 8.6%
Scope 3 3,662 kt CO2e 70.0%
Total 5,233 kt CO2e 100.0%

kt CO2e = kiloton of carbon dioxide equivalents

2021 Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG Emissions

GHG Emissions Infographic

A visual breakdown of our carbon footprint and SBTi-validated targets



What Are Scope 3 Emissions?

Scope 3 is a reporting category that includes indirect emissions that are not covered in scope 2 and occur in the company’s value chain. For more information on scope 1 and 2 emissions, visit our Carbon Footprint page.

As defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, scope 3 emissions fall into 15 distinct categories. Categories one to eight represent upstream emissions, while categories nine to 15 represent downstream emissions. At Resolute, 11 of the categories are relevant to our value chain.

Scope 3 Emissions by Category
Category (Upstream Emissions) 2021 Performance
(kt of CO2e)
1. Purchased goods and services 571
2. Capital goods 38
3. Fuel- and energy- related activities 400
4. Upstream transportation and distribution 271
5. Waste generated in operations 64
6. Business travel 0.27
7. Employee commuting 11
8. Upstream leased assets Not relevant
Category (Downstream Emissions) 2021 Performance
(kt of CO2e)
9. Downstream transportation and distribution 258
10. Processing of sold products 1,509
11. Use of sold products Not relevant
12. End-of-life treatment of sold products 531
13. Downstream leased assets Not relevant
14. Franchises Not relevant
15. Investments 9
Total Scope 3 Emissions 3,662

In 2021, our total scope 3 footprint was 3,662 kilotons (kt) of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). Scope 3 emissions represent approximately 70% of our total carbon footprint, with scope 1 and 2 accounting for about 30%. Among our upstream emissions, purchased goods and services are the most significant category of emissions, while processing of sold products and end-of-life treatment of sold products are the most significant for our downstream emissions.