Tackling Scope 3: Plan A launches new software module for businesses to measure and reduce supply chain emissions

Companies around the world are increasingly being accused of greenwashing when calculating and disclosing their corporate carbon footprint, as usually only Scopes 1 (direct corporate emissions) and 2 (indirect corporate emissions) are taken into account. Depending on the industry – for example in consumer goods manufacturing or financial services – these only account for 10 percent of a company's  total emissions.

With up to 90%, however, the majority of corporate greenhouse gas emissions falls under Scope 3, i.e. the upstream and downstream supply chains. While these have been difficult to measure until now, the leading carbon accounting, decarbonisation, and ESG reporting platform Plan A is now remedying the situation by launching its new supplier module integrated into its SaaS platform today. It empowers scale-ups, SMEs, and corporations to measure and report their supplier-related Scope 3 Category 1 emissions ("Purchased Goods and Services'') as well as develop and implement science-based strategies and activities for reduction.

In just a few steps, the necessary supplier data can be centralised and processed on the platform – the software then calculates the respective emissions based on scientifically sound methodologies and standards. The new module thus enables businesses to accurately account for the impact of their suppliers and to report transparently and in compliance with international reporting standards such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), or the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD).

Benefits at a glance

• Overview of all supplier emissions + over time visualisation in one dashboard
• Identification of emissions hotspots in the supply chain
• CO₂e-driven supplier selection
• Identification of emission/cost reduction potential in the supply chain
• Supplier engagement in the implementation of sustainable initiatives

Module complements recent product updates for events, waste, and business travel

The new supplier module complements the modules for events (special emissions calculator), waste (Scope 3, Category 5) and business travel (Scope 3, Category 6) that Plan A integrated into its SaaS platform only this spring – more information can be found in the press release here. The Greentech gives companies the tools they need to disclose and reduce their total corporate emissions accurately, reliably, and transparently across all Scopes and Categories in accordance with the internationally recognised "GHG Protocol" standards.

‍Lubomila Jordanova, CEO of Plan A: “I am very pleased to announce the release of our new supplier module today. It is a significant milestone for us in our efforts to empower businesses to account for all their emissions, especially those elusive ones in Scope 3. To truly decarbonise our economy, it is crucial to make those emissions visible and come up with data-driven and science-based reduction pathways. We are proud to deliver these capabilities with our cutting-edge software solutions to companies regardless of their size, location, or sustainability progress to enable them to really move the needle and mitigate their impact on climate change."

Access the press release here.