Assessing Scope 3 Emissions in Industrial Value Chains: A Query Combination Methodology Approach

Abstract

This study examines the sustainability of Spain’s industrial value chains through a multidimensional lens, encompassing environmental, economic, and social (employment) dimensions. By using input–output tables, the research models the value chains and analyses their domestic greenhouse gas emissions. Effective public policies aimed at mitigating industrial environmental impacts must consider the specific characteristics of value chains and their socio-economic effects. The findings highlight distinct profiles of emissions, scope distribution, and the economic and employment relevance of these value chains, offering valuable insights for policymakers and supporting evidence-based policy design. The uniqueness of this study lies in its methodological approach, which utilises input–output tables and query combinations to determine industrial value chains and comprehensively assess their sustainability.