Sustainability in Partner Programs
From Ambitious Pledges to Executable Reality
more likely to achieve Scope 3 targets when actively engaging suppliers.
of companies still do not actively engage their suppliers on sustainability.
plan to expand high-integrity carbon credit use by 2030.
Scope 3 Emissions: The Critical Partner Engagement Lever
Scope 3 emissions from the value chain are the biggest challenge and opportunity. The focus has shifted from “Do you have targets?” to “Can you prove your plan?”
CDP’s Supply Chain program requested disclosures from ~45,000 suppliers in 2025, making sustainability a routine business process.
How to Operationalize Supplier Sustainability in 2026
Tier Your Suppliers
Build sustainability tiering models to differentiate strategic from non-strategic suppliers and focus resources effectively.
Update RFPs
Add clear ESG clauses to RFPs with mandatory data deadlines, integrating sustainability into procurement from day one.
Provide Support Kits
Create supplier toolkits with templates, calculation rules, and training to build capacity, especially for SMEs.
Track Quarterly
Move from annual compliance checks to quarterly progress tracking to ensure continuous improvement and accountability.
Carbon Credit Markets Are Maturing
Partnerships are evolving to include sophisticated carbon credit strategies, with more companies locking in long-term agreements and using digital tools to verify project integrity.
40%
55%
Emerging Challenges vs. Strategic Collaboration
The Headwinds
Major institutions are softening climate pledges as the 1.5°C threshold becomes unreachable, and corporate clean energy procurement has slowed.
The Strategic Imperative
The biggest gains now depend on quality supplier relationships, shared digital tools, and co-financed interventions—treating the transition as a system challenge.
Case Study: Fisher Scientific’s Trusted Partner Program
Set science-based targets aligned with the 1.5°C goal.
Achieve a “Good” rating (45+) on EcoVadis assessments.
Complete detailed sustainability surveys annually.
Ready to Build a Sustainable Partner Ecosystem?
Let’s move beyond targets to create a resilient, transparent, and truly sustainable value chain together.