Getting high-quality emissions data from suppliers is one of the hardest (and most important) parts of Scope 3 reporting. Across industries, we hear the same thing in client calls: suppliers are often unresponsive, uncertain, or simply unaware of what’s being asked. But digging into the root causes reveals something else: most suppliers want to do the right thing, they just don’t know how, don’t see the value, or haven’t been asked clearly.
Here’s what we’ve learned from conversations with companies around the world, as they explore how to engage suppliers and improve emissions data collection.
Prioritise and segment suppliers
Start with what matters most. Most emissions in your supply chain will come from a small number of suppliers — usually the top 20% contribute around 80% of your Scope 3 emissions. Identify those top-tier, high-impact suppliers first and focus your efforts there. It’s a faster route to meaningful data and avoids wasting resources on suppliers that don’t materially move the needle.
Segmentation also helps. Group suppliers by industry, region, or emission materiality, and tailor your outreach accordingly. Large or high-emitting suppliers should receive more detailed questionnaires and regular follow-up. For smaller or lower-impact vendors, keep it simple. Using a one-size-fits-all approach is an easy way to burn trust and create confusion.
Supplier engagement and education
Many suppliers aren’t withholding data — they simply don’t know what they’re being asked for. Lack of awareness or internal capability is one of the most common reasons for poor data quality or no response at all. That’s why education is foundational. Hosting short workshops, providing FAQs, or even offering a 30-minute support call can make a major difference.
But don’t treat this as a one-off request. Continuous engagement, including reminders, follow-ups, and updates, reinforces the importance of data sharing and builds trust over time. Some of the most effective programs we’ve seen involve collaborative onboarding sessions, regular check-ins, and open communication channels. Suppliers need to know this isn’t just a box-ticking exercise, it’s a business priority.
Make data submission easy and valuable
Most suppliers aren’t equipped with full carbon accounting tools. If you want usable data, you need to meet them where they are. Simplify your forms, allow for partial submissions, and offer options to use proxy data (like fuel consumption or distance travelled) when exact figures aren’t available. Automating emissions calculations in the background can help convert raw activity data into usable emissions metrics.
Another powerful strategy: give something back. Offering suppliers free access to tools like Avarni to calculate their own emissions doesn’t just help your business, it builds their internal capacity too. It shifts the dynamic from compliance to collaboration. This also reduces the future effort required on your end, as more suppliers gain the capability to manage their own emissions data.
Flexibility matters. Allow suppliers to upload data in formats they’re already using, and provide documentation that makes it easy for them to interpret what’s being asked. Clear, jargon-free guidance significantly increases response rates.
Incentives, procurement, and compliance
Long-term success depends on aligning procurement processes with emissions goals. If data sharing isn’t built into the contract, you’re already behind. Set expectations from day one by embedding emissions reporting requirements into RFPs, contract language, and onboarding workflows.
Positive incentives can also go a long way. Early payment terms, recognition on supplier leaderboards, or public acknowledgment of sustainability progress are all tangible motivators. You can also highlight how emissions data helps them stay ahead of growing regulatory and client pressure, especially in industries where sustainability disclosures are becoming mandatory.
Still, be realistic. While pressure can work in some cases, it’s most effective when balanced with support. Carrots will always be more powerful than sticks when it comes to supplier engagement.
Transparency, trust, and data quality
Suppliers are more likely to share data when they understand how it will be used and who will see it. Be clear from the outset. Explain how their information contributes to broader emissions goals, and make it easy for them to ask questions or express concerns.
Where direct data isn’t available, be transparent about the use of estimates or proxy figures. Document your assumptions and methodologies. This not only increases supplier confidence but also improves auditability and trust in your overall reporting process.
Tech also plays a role. Use automated validation checks to flag missing fields or unusual values. Benchmarking suppliers against industry peers can spark engagement too. No one wants to be the laggard. It also helps you identify high-risk or non-responsive vendors for additional attention.
Continuous improvement and realistic expectations
Don’t expect perfect data out of the gate. In many cases, it’ll take years of collaboration before suppliers are consistently providing high-quality data. Start with what’s available and iterate. Document the gaps and keep improving over time.
Set realistic expectations internally as well. It’s unlikely you’ll achieve full supplier participation right away, and that’s okay. Focus on the ones that matter most. The goal is better data, not perfect data, and the best way to get there is through consistent engagement, not one-off surveys.
Summary
- Prioritise and segment suppliers — Focus on high-emitting suppliers and customise your engagement approach based on their materiality and capabilities.
- Supplier engagement and education — Educate suppliers on what’s being asked and why; ongoing engagement is more effective than one-off requests.
- Make data submission easy and valuable — Simplify forms, accept proxy data, and offer suppliers tools to help them calculate and manage their own emissions.
- Incentives, procurement, and compliance — Include emissions data requirements in contracts and offer incentives to motivate supplier participation.
- Transparency, trust, and data quality — Be upfront about data usage, document methodologies, and use tech tools to improve and validate supplier data.
- Continuous improvement and realistic expectations — Start small, expect imperfect data, and focus on long-term progress over perfection.
- Direct quotes & advice — Industry voices reinforce that success comes from education, clarity, and collaborative approaches — not pressure alone.
