Congratulations! You’ve crossed the Scope 3 Primary Data Chasm – a major milestone on your path to Net Zero. You can enjoy the view from the other side, but the emissions reduction journey doesn’t end there, it’s time to think about next steps.

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What’s next? Now it’s time to think about how you can strategically use the data you’ve gathered to unlock new benefits and plot a course to Net Zero. Don’t lose momentum, here’s what to do with your primary data:

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Use Emissions Data to Identify Hotspots

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Start by digging into your Scope 3 data to identify emission hotspots across your supply chain. Just like when you started gathering data from suppliers, finding the best starting point is key. Focus on suppliers who contribute the highest percentage of your emissions footprint and examine specific processes, products, or facilities driving these numbers. Tackling Scope 3 requires strategic prioritization – target the easier wins to optimize resources and improve efficiency.

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A data-informed Scope 3 emissions inventory enables both quick wins and long-term planning. You can better predict the impact of new initiatives, respond to emerging climate risks, and make data-driven decisions about where to focus your reduction efforts for maximum impact.

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The key is to trust the data you’re working with and focus your resources where they’ll have the biggest impact.

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Benchmark and Plot a Course to Net Zero

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Net Zero might still be a way off yet, but from here you might at least catch a glimpse of the finish line. Primary Scope 3 data will help you bring the finish line into focus as you set emissions reduction targets, measure your progress against them and see where you sit next to others in your industry.

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Having the data is one thing, but what you do with it is another. Your long-term GHG emissions inventory and reduction targets will lead you to net zero, and regulators, the public, your stakeholders, and the boardroom, will expect you to monitor your progress.

Transparency is key – setting science-based targets using your data demonstrates credibility by showing that you’ve nothing to hide in Scope 3. This commitment sends a clear message to stakeholders and suppliers that you’re serious about emissions reduction and ready to own your environmental impact.

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The right tools can help translate raw supplier data, into clear, achievable targets and give you confidence that your progress stands up to scrutiny.

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Comply with Confidence

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Mandatory regulations on emissions, including mandatory reporting and reduction targets are driving business uptake of sustainability initiatives.  

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Reliable, audit-ready data takes the stress out of reporting and helps reduce regulatory risk. With trusted data in hand, compliance becomes less about paperwork and more about building resilience.

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Use Data to Gain a Competitive Advantage

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Demonstrate your climate action commitment through data-backed sustainability achievements. Early adoption of emissions reduction strategies helps future-proof your business and differentiate you from competitors.

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This goes for suppliers, too. Your commitment to emissions data provides a point of difference that will make you stand out to sustainably minded procurement heads. Communicating emissions reduction achievements effectively will help spread the message up and down the supply chain.

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Looking ahead, emissions data is set to play a bigger role in procurement, helping businesses identify which suppliers are best placed to support their long-term sustainability goals.

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Engage Suppliers

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For procurement teams, this means having a new set of criteria to guide supplier relationships: understanding suppliers’ emissions calculation maturity and their ability to report it. With this insight, you can build stronger partnerships and design collaborative reduction strategies that benefit both sides.

Effective supplier engagement strengthens relationships and keeps data flowing across the value chain. The easier you make it for suppliers to participate, with simple, low-cost tools and clear guidance, the more progress you’ll achieve together.

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Embed Sustainability into Your Business’ DNA

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Many businesses are already combining the duties of the CPO and CSO. But the commitment to sustainability shouldn’t end when you leave the sustainability or procurement departments. With a clear picture of your Scope 3 emissions, it’ll be easier than ever to talk about sustainability beyond your own department and weave sustainability into your entire business’ DNA. Dolby exemplifies this approach, using accurate emissions data to weave sustainability thinking throughout their company.

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Over time, you can have everybody measuring, reporting, reducing and repeating. All the way to Net Zero.

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Conclusion

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Gathering Scope 3 emissions data marks a major milestone, but it’s the beginning of your emissions reduction journey. By taking strategic steps to analyze, implement, and communicate your emissions data, you can unlock the long-term benefits.

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Sustainability offers both opportunity and competitive advantage. Embrace it to build a resilient business model that makes a real impact.

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If you’d like support turning data into action, Green Project can help you take the next step.

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