When it comes to corporate climate goals, Scope 3 emissions are the elephant in the room. 

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For many companies, they make up the majority of their total carbon footprint, yet remain the hardest to measure, manage, and reduce.

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One emerging trend is the integration of renewable energy into supply chains.

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While renewable procurement has historically been focused on Scope 2 (companies’ own operations), forward-looking organizations are now exploring how suppliers can access clean power too. 

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Here are the top three trends shaping the future of renewables for Scope 3 decarbonization.

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1. Supplier-Centric Decarbonization

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Corporate buyers are realizing they can’t hit their net zero targets alone. 

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Even the most ambitious targets will fall short if suppliers, from raw material producers to small component manufacturers, remain locked into carbon-intensive energy.

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Engaging suppliers is becoming the defining challenge of Scope 3. The shift is especially urgent for small and medium-sized vendors who often lack the expertise, resources, or negotiating power to access renewable energy on their own. 

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Without targeted support, these suppliers risk becoming bottlenecks that slow down corporate decarbonization goals.

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We’re already seeing leaders pilot new approaches:

• Supplier training programs that build renewable energy literacy.
• Aggregated procurement models that allow smaller vendors to join larger renewable energy deals.
• Incentives and co-funding arrangements where buyers cover part of the cost of renewable procurement to accelerate adoption.

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The future will demand that these one-off pilots become scalable and systematic. Platforms like act50 make this possible by giving suppliers a simple way to onboard, share data, and participate in renewable procurement initiatives without needing deep technical knowledge. 

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For corporate buyers, this means they can bring thousands of suppliers into the fold at once, creating real momentum toward Scope 3 targets.

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2. Granular Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs)

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Renewable energy claims have historically been backed by instruments like Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) or Guarantees of Origin (GOs). 

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These certificates allowed companies to claim that their electricity was matched with renewable generation somewhere on the grid, but often left loopholes for vague or inflated sustainability claims.

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That’s changing fast. The next wave of renewable instruments will prioritize granularity:

• Hourly matching ensures that renewable claims align with actual generation in real time, not just annually.
• Regional sourcing ties renewable use to the specific grids where energy is consumed, creating stronger local impact.
• Verifiable chain-of-custody systems track certificates through their entire lifecycle, closing the door on double counting or opaque trading practices.

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For supply chains, this evolution is critical. 

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If suppliers are procuring renewables on behalf of corporate buyers, those buyers need confidence that the certificates are robust, auditable, and aligned with emerging reporting standards. Otherwise, they risk accusations of greenwashing or failure to meet compliance thresholds.

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But managing this complexity at supply chain scale is no small feat. Imagine trying to validate hourly certificates for hundreds or thousands of suppliers across multiple regions and utilities. 

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Without digital infrastructure, the administrative burden becomes overwhelming.

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That’s why the companies leading on Scope 3 will be the ones that invest early in systems capable of handling granular, auditable renewable energy procurement. 

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The winners won’t just be the companies that buy clean power, but those that can prove it, at scale, across their value chain.

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3. Data & Procurement Integration

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For years, the conversation around Scope 3 has centered on measurement: How can we get better data from suppliers? How do we standardize reporting? How do we fill data blind spots? 

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These are important questions, but data without action is only half the solution.

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The future of Scope 3 decarbonization is about connecting insight with action. Companies want a single system where they can:

• Track supplier emissions with the right level of detail.
• Benchmark progress against frameworks like SBTi and CDP.
• Move seamlessly from measurement into procurement of renewable energy that reduces emissions in real time.

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This is where act50 stands out. 

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By linking supplier emissions data with auditable renewable energy purchases, act50 creates a closed-loop system. 

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Procurement teams can identify gaps in supplier emissions and immediately address them through renewables, all in one platform.

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With platforms like act50, Scope 3 becomes not just a reporting exercise, but a lever for transformation. Measurement informs action, action reduces emissions, and reductions can be verified and reported back to stakeholders with confidence.

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Looking Ahead

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The road to net zero runs through the supply chain. By embracing supplier-centric engagement, adopting granular renewable energy instruments, and integrating data with procurement, companies can move beyond reporting and start enabling real-world decarbonization.

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Scope 3 may be the hardest challenge, but with the right tools and partnerships, it can also become a powerful lever for climate impact.

Get in touch and see how act50 can help your procurement team lead on these trends.