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Scope 3  ·  4.1.2

Supplier Advisory

Providing technical assistance, knowledge sharing, and decarbonization guidance to suppliers to build their capability to measure, report, and reduce their own emissions. Advisory programs recognize that many suppliers — particularly SMEs — lack internal sustainability expertise and cannot respond to buyer demands without support.

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Self-Assessment

Select where your organization currently operates and where you want to get to. There is no obligation to reach "Leading Org." — choose the target that is right for your business context and investment capacity.

📍 Current Level
🎯 Target Level
Select your current and target levels above to map your assessment on this initiative.
Fundamental
Market Standard
Above Average
Leading Org.

Technology

  • Supplier sustainability resource library: guides, templates, and how-to documents for GHG accounting
  • CDP questionnaire completion guidance shared with key suppliers

Process

  • Hosting an annual supplier sustainability day or webinar covering reporting expectations and available resources
  • Providing GHG Protocol training materials and emission factor databases to top suppliers
  • Identifying suppliers most in need of advisory support based on response quality and emissions data gaps

Financing

  • Internal sustainability team time allocated to supplier education and support
  • No-cost CDP membership offered to key suppliers as part of supply chain program

Technology

  • Fundamental Technologies +
  • Supplier-facing sustainability portal with self-service tools for GHG calculation and target-setting
  • Online training modules on Scope 1, 2, and 3 accounting, SBTi methodology, and decarbonization levers

Process

  • Running cohort-based supplier sustainability workshops with peer learning and breakout sessions
  • Pairing high-emissions suppliers with internal sustainability experts for one-on-one advisory sessions
  • Tracking supplier capability development over time via maturity assessment scorecards

Financing

  • Supplier sustainability program costs treated as strategic procurement investment
  • Cost-sharing with industry peers for multi-company supplier advisory programs

Technology

  • Market Standard Technologies +
  • Dedicated supplier decarbonization advisory team embedded within procurement organization
  • Sector-specific playbooks developed for top supplier commodity categories (e.g., steel, packaging, logistics)

Process

  • Conducting on-site decarbonization assessments at strategic supplier facilities
  • Co-developing supplier-specific decarbonization roadmaps with quantified emission reduction milestones
  • Connecting suppliers to external technical assistance programs (DOE, EPA, industry associations)

Financing

  • Advisory services partially subsidized for small and medium supplier tiers
  • Joint grant applications with suppliers for DOE and EPA decarbonization funding programs

Technology

  • Above Average Technologies +
  • AI-powered supplier advisory platform delivering customized decarbonization recommendations by supplier profile
  • Open-source supplier decarbonization toolkit published for industry-wide use

Process

  • Operating a recognized industry-leading supplier decarbonization academy with verified curriculum
  • Publishing supplier capability-building outcomes (number trained, targets set, reductions achieved) in annual report
  • Advocating for sector-wide supplier advisory standards through industry coalitions and policy engagement

Financing

  • Supplier advisory program costs offset by supply chain resilience value and preferred supplier performance gains
  • Philanthropic or concessional financing secured for advisory programs targeting high-impact SME suppliers in emerging markets

Related Pathways

← All Pathways 3.1.1 Coordination 3.1.3 Structuring 3.1.4 Operationalization