As companies look to address their Scope 3 emissions — all indirect greenhouse gas emissions that occur in a company’s value chain, both upstream and downstream — supplier engagement is both critical and complex. Many suppliers understand the need to procure clean energy but lack the market knowledge, tools, and confidence to move from interest to action.

CEBA’s Clean Energy Procurement Academy helps bridge the gap between supplier awareness and intent and actual clean energy transactions.

In this interview, Eric Gibbs, who oversees the Academy and serves as CEBA’s Senior Vice President of Global Programs, shares with Misti Groves, CEBA’s Senior Vice President of Energy Transactions, how the Academy helps companies scale supplier clean energy adoption globally.

Misti: CEBA recently opened the Clean Energy Procurement Academy to all members. Why is this an important milestone?

Eric: This significant step expands access to verified supplier training resources to a broader group of CEBA members. Our members have ambitious climate goals, but when they look at their emissions footprint, a large portion sits within their supply chains. Helping suppliers procure clean energy is one of the most effective ways to reduce Scope 3 emissions.

CEBA created the Academy to provide practical training and resources that help suppliers navigate clean energy procurement, thereby simplifying the process of reducing supplier emissions. Of the 781 participants trained last year through in-person workshops and digital courses, 93% reported feeling more prepared to procure clean energy after the training.

Misti: Supplier clean energy procurement has become a top priority for global companies. What has led to this change?

Eric: Companies increasingly recognize that reaching their climate goals requires a plan for addressing emissions across their supply chains. For many companies, suppliers account for the majority of their emissions footprint, particularly in manufacturing-intensive supply chains.

At the same time, companies face growing pressure from investors, customers, regulators, and others to demonstrate credible progress on decarbonization. Supplier clean energy procurement helps companies address those expectations while building more resilient supply chains and supporting suppliers’ long-term competitiveness.

Suppliers often need practical guidance on where to start, particularly in global markets, which is exactly where the Academy comes in.

Misti: I understand supplier clean energy procurement to be particularly challenging in the Asia Pacific. What makes that market unique?

Eric: APAC is an especially important market because it sits at the center of many global supply chains and accounts for a significant share of corporate Scope 3 emissions. At the same time, clean energy procurement across the region is highly fragmented. Suppliers must navigate different regulations, market structures, and procurement options from country to country, which can make it difficult to know where to begin. That is where the Academy adds real value. We provide market-specific training, localized resources, and practical guidance tailored to APAC markets, helping suppliers build the knowledge and confidence needed to act while enabling companies to scale supplier engagement more efficiently across the region.

Misti: So then, how does the Academy help suppliers move from interest to action?

Eric: We give suppliers the confidence to evaluate clean energy opportunities and take action. We do this by focusing on practical capability building — transferring the market knowledge, procurement know-how, tools, and real-world insights suppliers need to navigate clean energy decisions.

Our trainings are designed around real procurement pathways and market conditions. Participants learn from industry experts, explore case studies, and gain a clearer understanding of how clean energy procurement can support both business and sustainability goals.

Most importantly, we are helping suppliers build lasting internal capacity. Rather than supporting a one-time transaction, the Academy equips suppliers with the skills and expertise they need to identify and pursue clean energy opportunities over the long term.

Misti: What results have you seen so far, and what are you most excited about next?

Eric Gibbs: The early results are very encouraging:

• 781 participants trained in 2025 
• 565 supplier companies represented 
• 93% of participants reported increased readiness to procure clean energy 

These results highlight the Academy’s ability to equip suppliers with the knowledge and confidence needed to pursue clean energy procurement.

What excites me most is the opportunity to scale that impact. By opening the Academy to all CEBA members, we can help more companies engage suppliers, accelerate clean energy adoption across global supply chains, and support emissions reductions in some of the world’s most carbon-intensive power markets. 

Misti: For CEBA members interested in getting involved, what’s the next step?

Eric: Start with an introductory conversation. Interested members can email the team at Academy@ceba.org — we can’t wait to hear from them! Whether they’re just beginning to think about supplier clean energy procurement or already have a mature Scope 3 strategy, we can help identify the right engagement pathway. We have an amazing team that is eager and energized to help CEBA members make gains toward their Scope 3 emissions goals. 

About the Academy

The Academy offers a range of options, from individual supplier enrollment to dedicated training programs delivered both in person and digitally. Our goal is to meet companies where they are and help them achieve meaningful progress with their suppliers.

In-person trainings are currently available in India, Mainland China, and Vietnam, while our Digital Academy can be accessed globally and includes content focused on suppliers in India, Indonesia, Mainland China, South Korea, and Vietnam.

The model is flexible, allowing companies to engage in different ways depending on their current level of supplier engagement and climate ambition. Reach out to the team to determine what is best for your needs.

Learn more at CEBA Clean Energy Procurement Academy or contact academy@ceba.org.