HomeResearch & Knowledgeback to HomeSustainabilityback to Research & KnowledgeTackling scope 3 emissions through partnershipsback to Sustainability

Case Study

Tackling scope 3 emissions through partnerships

By Amanda Williams, Knut Bjarne Haanaes and David Bach

12 pages

March 2023

Order this case study

Reference: IMD-7-2422

Companies are now aiming to decarbonize their supply chains by tackling scope 3 emissions (indirect emissions along the value chain). Scope 3 emissions are difficult for companies to manage because they reside outside the companies’ direct control, and for this reason, they always require partnerships. However, partnerships are not easy, and it is difficult to determine exactly which partnership will best achieve the desired sustainability objectives. This case study focuses on the sustainability partnership portfolio of ZUCCA, a fictitious company in the food and agriculture sector that is looking to dramatically reduce its scope 3 emissions. ZUCCA’s new chief sustainability officer (CSO) is considering the future of the company’s sustainability partnerships portfolio and evaluating which partnership will best help the company dramatically reduce scope 3 emissions. The CSO considers partnering with three different NGOs: the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD); World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF); and the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Learning Objective

Describe the importance of the GHG Protocol and how it can be used
Identify scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions
Analyze how corporate GHG reduction strategies have changed
Analyze which partnership strategy is best for tackling scope 3 emissions

Keywords

Strategy, Sustainability, Partnership, Emission Reduction, Scope Three Emissions, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, World Economic Forum, World Wildlife Fund, Climate Action, Goal Partnerships

Settings

Europe, Switzerland
World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Philanthropy, Non-profit Organizations Management

Type

Field Research

Available Languages

English

IMD case studies are distributed through case clearing houses. In order to browse the collection and purchase copies please visit the links below.

The Case Centre

Cranfield University

Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]

Harvard Business School Publishing

60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]

Asia Pacific Case Center

NUCB Business School

1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]

IMD retains all proprietary interests in its case studies and notes. Without prior written permission, IMD cases and notes may not be reproduced, used, translated, included in books or other publications, distributed in any form or by any means, stored in a database or in other retrieval systems. For additional copyright information related to case studies, please contact Case Services.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Keep reading

Article

Climate Risk - CFO Horizons - Financial Imperative

CFOs must drive a financially disciplined way to manage environmental and climate risk amid growing push back against sustainability efforts.

Finance Sustainability

By Karl Schmedders

in I by IMD

Podcast

How does sustainable leadership work?

This episode takes you behind the scenes of a recent gathering led by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development together with IMD, where David Bach sat down with two sustainability leaders.

Leadership Sustainability

By David Bach and Felix Zeltner

in I by IMD

Article

Repairing reputational damage: don’t go the way of Boeing

All organizations should have a plan to secure trust during, after (and even before) a crisis hits. Here are a host of examples, good and bad, to learn from.

Leadership Resilience Strategy

By Michael Skapinker

in I by IMD

Case Study

The price of innovation: Will Medacta compromise its DNA by embracing robotics?

Strategy Innovation

By Carlos Cordon, Antonio Di Brino, Jesper Fibiger, Frank Kristensen, Soniya Soniya and Alison End Fineberg

Article

Efficient Green Transition - 4 Effective Strategies

Discover four proven strategies for sustainable and efficient green transition. Split operations with ring fencing to fast-track your green goals.

Sustainability

By Salvatore Cantale and Frederikke Due Olsen

in I by IMD

Article

Strategy Meets Execution - Supply Chain

10 years of exclusive surveys reveal top supply chain strategy challenges—and how tools like AI, ML, and digital twins are reshaping the path forward.

Strategy Supply Chain

By Ralf W. Seifert and Katrin Siebenbürger Hacki

in I by IMD

Article

4 Key Guidelines for Success - Demystifying AI Use Cases

Uncover AI use cases and opportunities with 4 clear imperatives that align data with business value. Avoid pitfalls and ask the right questions.

Artificial Intelligence Strategy

By Didier Bonnet and Achim Plueckebaum

in I by IMD

Podcast

Can biodiversity credits alter the landscape for nature conservation?

Join IMD Senior Researcher Adrian Dellecker and Mariana Sarmiento of Terrasos to explore business opportunities in voluntary biodiversity credits and environmental innovation.

Business Transformation Innovation Sustainability

By Adrian Dellecker

in I by IMD

Podcast

Can eDNA revolutionize biodiversity monitoring?

Explore eDNA science with Kristy Deiner on the IMD Management Cast . Learn how genetics, biodiversity, and data analytics shape conservation and the bioeconomy.

Innovation Sustainability Technology Management Value Creation

By Adrian Dellecker

in I by IMD

Article

Tariff wars: How business leaders can survive and thrive

Stay ahead in a shifting global economy. Learn how to build resilient supply chains, manage currency risks, and adapt strategies for long-term business success.

Economics Geopolitics Strategy Supply Chain

By Arturo Bris

in I by IMD

Repairing reputational damage: don’t go the way of Boeing

By Michael Skapinker
in I by IMD

Summary

All organizations should have a plan to secure trust during, after (and even before) a crisis hits. Here are a host of examples, good and bad, to learn from.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Leadership

Resilience

Strategy

Browse all topics

The price of innovation: Will Medacta compromise its DNA by embracing robotics?

By Carlos Cordon Antonio Di Brino Jesper Fibiger Frank Kristensen Soniya Soniya and Alison End Fineberg
Case reference: IMD-2663 ©2025

Summary

Medacta Group SA is a rising star in the orthopedics market, achieving global success through innovative products and techniques, with a particular emphasis on minimally invasive techniques that bring meaningful value to its patients. With its approaches such as Anterior Minimally Invasive Surgery (AMIS) for hip replacement and Kinematic Alignment for knees, Medacta offers high-quality techniques, supporting tools and cutting-edge implants. It also offers personalized surgeon education through the Medacta Orthopedic Research and Education (M.O.R.E.) Institute. Medacta is situated in an evolving landscape, with competitors including Stryker and Zimmer Biomet investing heavily in robotic technologies. Technological advances are being made in data-driven planning tools – including augmented reality – and research institutes are looking for the most advanced solutions as demanded by many hospitals and surgeons. Despite these trends in the industry, Medacta's CEO, Francesco Siccardi has concerns regarding the value of existing robotic systems, noting their lack of proven benefits in patient outcomes or cost reductions, especially in a context of increasing emphasis on value-based care and sustainability. The case explores the opportunities and challenges confronting Medacta as they decide whether to enter the orthopedic robotics market. The company wants to continue to differentiate itself and drive growth in line with its foundational principles of patient care, operational excellence and sustainable innovation. Today, Francesco faces a critical decision around whether now is the time to enter the robotics market and, if so, how Medacta should do so to preserve its culture and stay true to its DNA.

Reference IMD-2663

Organization Medacta Group

Industry Healthcare, Medical Device

Available Languages English

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Strategy

Innovation

Browse all topics

Can biodiversity credits alter the landscape for nature conservation?

By Adrian Dellecker
in I by IMD

Summary

Join IMD Senior Researcher Adrian Dellecker and Mariana Sarmiento of Terrasos to explore business opportunities in voluntary biodiversity credits and environmental innovation.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Business Transformation

Innovation

Sustainability

Browse all topics

Can eDNA revolutionize biodiversity monitoring?

By Adrian Dellecker
in I by IMD

Summary

Explore eDNA science with Kristy Deiner on the IMD Management Cast . Learn how genetics, biodiversity, and data analytics shape conservation and the bioeconomy.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Innovation

Sustainability

Technology Management

Value Creation

Browse all topics

Tariff wars: How business leaders can survive and thrive

By Arturo Bris
in I by IMD

Summary

Stay ahead in a shifting global economy. Learn how to build resilient supply chains, manage currency risks, and adapt strategies for long-term business success.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Economics

Geopolitics

Strategy

Supply Chain

Browse all topics