One of the biggest challenges for our agri-food clients when developing robust transition plans is the issue of scope 3 carbon emissions. Scope 3 encompasses the indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that occur in a company’s value chain, both upstream (supply chain) and downstream (product use and disposal). 3Keel supports clients in the sector to footprint their value chains, help set science-based targets, and set both strategy and implementation plans to achieve those targets.

Meet the client: Samworth Brothers

Samworth Brothers is a fourth-generation UK food producer that makes high-quality chilled and ambient food such as sandwiches, salads, sausages and cooked meats, savoury pastry, prepared meals, and snacking products. It owns well-known brands such as Soreen and Ginsters.

Manufacturing more than a billion food products each year, its customers include major supermarkets, convenience stores, hospitality venues, workplaces and travel outlets. With such a vast range of products, its supplier base is one of the most extensive in UK food. This means that its indirect emissions are complex and challenging to track and reduce.

3Keel has been working with Samworth since 2019 on scope 3 footprinting and strategy. We work closely with Andy Wright, the company’s Responsible Business Director and members of his sustainability team.

The challenge

Samworth made a commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and, in 2025, had this target approved by the Science-based Targets Initiative (SBTi). As part of the transition strategy, Samworth has a near-term target of achieving a 30.3% reduction in scope 3 FLAG (Forest, Land and Agriculture) emissions by the end of 2030. The scale at which Samworth operates means a key challenge is to identify the points in the value chain that, when tackled, will most effectively drive down emissions.

The starting point

SBTi FLAG (Forestry, Land and Agriculture) requirements meant that Samworth needed to recalculate its base year footprint, using better data than had previously been made available.

3Keel supported Samworth to achieve three key objectives:

1. Develop an updated scope 3 footprint using factors aligned to FLAG reporting requirements
2. Identify priorities as part of emissions reduction planning
3. Support the development and approval of science-based targets, including 2030 scope 1, 2, and 3 targets, a 2030 FLAG target and a Net Zero target across all emissions scopes.

A clear focus on FLAG

The focus of the project was on developing a FLAG footprint, the foundation from which to develop the new science-based targets.

The aim was then to develop further insights into the footprint hot spots to drive carbon reductions across the value chain and support Samworth with its net zero commitment.

Identifying critical emissions sources in key commodities

Using 3Keel’s FLAG-aligned footprinting methodology for food producers, we calculated Samworth’s footprint using data from more than 7,000 ingredients. This gave us insights into the main emissions sources from key agricultural commodities; the critical hotspots – such as soy used in animal feed, and land management emissions related to agricultural production in the value chain.

From insights to action

Interpreting the insights gained, we then advised Samworth on options to reduce its scope 3 footprint, based on levers including product reformulation and supplier engagement on net zero; and through sustainable sourcing including its commitment to deforestation free soy.

We modelled the projected reductions, and these are being used by Samworth in its own transition planning work.

Real progress and SBTi approval

In February 2025, the SBTi approved Samworth’s near-term scope 1, 2 and 3 and FLAG targets and Net Zero ambition. The SBTi published these in March.

Samworth now has a better understanding of its emissions profile, which shows that over 80% of its footprint is from ingredient production. This will help the team with prioritising reducing emissions from key ingredients.

Andy Wright commented that “it’s always great to work with the 3Keel team; we know each other well enough that they’re like an extension of our own team. With a deep knowledge of supply chain emissions, their expertise has supported our work and they have always been there throughout a complicated process. They are a trusted partner.”

What next?

3Keel is partnering with Samworth on further work in 2025 to track emissions relative to the new targets for public reporting.

Samworth is also exploring the opportunity to engage with suppliers in this process to further improve data accuracy. The first step is securing more specific data and understanding suppliers’ own carbon reduction plans. This will feed into the development of a more detailed transition plan to reduce carbon emissions from the supply chain.