Recent innovations to value chain decarbonization piqued our interest. We set out to learn more and engage in conversations with CEBA members Mars, Meta, and Google. Through these conversations, we discovered how customers and their partners can reduce supply chain emissions — and quickly. Many organizations face looming 2030 deadlines and increasing challenges in meeting their goals.

Supplier engagement is a key tool for reducing value chain emissions. It works particularly well with strategic suppliers where direct relationships exist and collaboration is possible. But as companies look further into their value chains, the challenge grows. Thousands of suppliers, distributors, franchisees, and product users sit beyond the reach of traditional engagement programs.

This raises a practical question: How can companies continue driving meaningful supply chain emissions reductions — at scale and with urgency — when direct supplier empowerment is not always possible?

CEBA’s Scope 3 Spotlight series explores that question. Mars, Google, and Meta share their perspectives and insights into how each company is building and executing unique, innovative strategies to address value chain emissions through clean energy procurement. The series is a collection of real-world examples that demonstrate how companies can complement supplier engagement with broader, scalable interventions.

The series reveals common themes:

• A focus on real-world emissions reductions, not just accounting outcomes
• A recognition that supplier engagement remains important
• A commitment to transparency and public reporting
• Clean energy procurement as one component of a broader Scope 3 strategy
• A willingness to test new approaches while engaging with existing standards bodies and stakeholders

And explores common questions:

What do leading frameworks say about the methods?

At present, existing greenhouse gas accounting frameworks do not explicitly mention these approaches. What we are seeing is companies operating transparently, documenting methodologies, and sharing lessons learned. Recent discussions and updates from standards organizations suggest growing recognition of broader value-chain action as companies seek practical pathways to meet ambitious climate goals.

The companies featured in the Scope 3 Spotlight series engage with standards-setting bodies, like GHGP, SBTi, and the AIM Platform, while providing real-world case studies that help inform future guidance and demonstrate how companies can pursue practical solutions to meet their climate commitments.

What do suppliers need to know about customer Scope 3 action?

Sometimes, nothing! Customers applying EACs to their Scope 3 is a strategy for instances where either there is no supplier to talk to, or it is not realistic for customer companies to contact a supplier. Some key suppliers may be notified by the customer company, but these are largely blanket purchases that cover all emissions. 

What about supplier engagement? 

Supplier engagement remains a valuable tool for Scope 3 decarbonization. All three approaches highlighted in this series are intended to complement, not replace, efforts to educate suppliers, encourage target setting, and support direct clean energy procurement. For many companies, the most effective strategy will likely combine supplier engagement with broader value-chain interventions.

Can any company do this? 

Yes. Companies can work within existing guidance (like SBTi CNZS v2) to customize the number of deals signed, locations, supplier communications, and the level of supplier engagement happening in parallel. A company is not locked into this strategy. It is simply another tool for supply chain decarbonization, and it pairs well with others.

These findings and more are detailed in CEBA’s Scope 3 Spotlight series, which launches today and highlights examples of companies thinking big on common supply chain questions and sharing how they are answering them.

Dive in to learn more! Explore CEBA’s Scope 3 Spotlight series — insights from Mars available now — and join the conversation about the future of supply chain decarbonization. We’d love to hear your thoughts — drop a note to the team with your thoughts, questions, or your own insights.