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Scope 3  ·  4.1.1

Supplier Coordination

Establishing the internal governance, data infrastructure, and supplier engagement model needed to understand and begin reducing Scope 3 Category 1 (purchased goods and services) and Category 11 (use of sold products) emissions embedded in the supply chain. Coordination is the foundation layer — without robust emissions data and clear internal ownership, more advanced supplier decarbonization efforts cannot succeed.

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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

  • Spend-based Scope 3 emissions estimation using EEIO or industry average emission factors
  • Basic supplier sustainability questionnaire distributed via email or procurement platform

Process

  • Identifying a Scope 3 program owner and cross-functional steering group (procurement, sustainability, finance)
  • Mapping supply chain tiers by spend and emissions materiality
  • Enrolling in CDP Supply Chain program to leverage CDP's supplier engagement infrastructure

Financing

  • Internal sustainability team budget for data collection and questionnaire administration
  • CDP Supply Chain membership fees (scaled by revenue) provide access to benchmarking and supplier responses

Technology

  • Fundamental Technologies +
  • Supplier sustainability data platform (e.g., Ecovadis, Sedex, or custom portal) for structured data collection
  • Primary activity-based emissions data collected from top 50–100 suppliers by spend

Process

  • Segmenting supplier base by Scope 3 emissions materiality, strategic importance, and decarbonization readiness
  • Setting Scope 3 reduction targets aligned with SBTi FLAG or sector-specific guidance
  • Publishing annual Scope 3 inventory with category-level breakdown in sustainability report

Financing

  • Supplier sustainability platform SaaS cost allocated across procurement budget
  • Sustainability-linked procurement contracts with supplier performance KPIs established

Technology

  • Market Standard Technologies +
  • Automated supplier emissions data integration via API from ERP and logistics platforms
  • AI-powered spend analytics identifying emissions hotspots by commodity and supplier

Process

  • Requiring top-tier suppliers to set SBTi-aligned targets as condition of preferred supplier status
  • Incorporating supplier carbon performance into sourcing decisions and RFP scoring criteria
  • Conducting joint decarbonization roadmap sessions with strategic suppliers

Financing

  • Internal carbon price applied to procurement decisions, creating financial signal for low-carbon sourcing
  • Shared savings agreements with suppliers for verified emissions reductions funded by avoided cost

Technology

  • Above Average Technologies +
  • Real-time supplier emissions tracking integrated into enterprise procurement and ERP systems
  • Blockchain or digital product passport enabling product-level carbon footprint traceability

Process

  • Publishing verified Scope 3 Category 1 reductions with third-party assurance in annual reporting
  • Co-developing sector-level decarbonization standards with industry coalitions and standard-setters
  • Cascading Scope 3 target requirements down multiple tiers of the supply chain

Financing

  • Supplier decarbonization financing facility established — providing low-cost capital to suppliers for emissions reduction projects
  • Scope 3 reductions monetized via insetting credits or Article 6 bilateral agreements

Related Pathways

← All Pathways 3.1.2 Advisory 3.1.3 Structuring 3.1.4 Operationalization