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access. Many suppliers lack the background knowledge needed to meet requests for this data.
It can be helpful to group suppliers by maturity. Some may already be tracking emissions data, whereas others may just be getting started, and many will not have any data. For suppliers with lower maturity at tracking emissions data, manufacturers can consider providing them with training. Some companies even offer open‘ office hours’ where suppliers can learn how to calculate and share data, ask questions, and receive real-time support.
It’ s important to recognize that a company’ s supplier relationships will ultimately determine the success or failure of their ability to track Scope 3 emissions.
The process that manufacturers take to gather this data should not be focused on penalizing suppliers but engaging them as partners that are working together to achieve a mutually beneficial goal.
Step three: taking action
Once manufacturers have primary data, the next step is to understand its value in reducing emissions. Zero in on‘ hot spots’ in the supply chain – the areas in which parts or materials are responsible for the lion’ s share of spend and emissions. This is where any decarbonization efforts on the part of manufacturers will have the most impact, likely dwarfing any in-house emissions.
Next, determine what suppliers in these‘ hot spots’ are doing about their emissions.
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