A green supply chain is a way of buying, making and shipping goods that cuts the environmental harm along the whole route. For many firms, supplier emissions are bigger than anything in their own buildings.
Why the supply chain matters
Emissions from purchased goods, shipping and use of products fall under Scope 3. For most companies, this is the largest share of the total, yet it is the hardest to measure.
Step one: map your suppliers
List your top suppliers by spend and by material. Ask them for emissions and energy data. Even rough numbers help you see where the weight sits.
Step two: work with suppliers
Set clear expectations, share targets and offer help. Many suppliers want to cut costs too, and lower energy use saves them money. Contracts can include reporting duties and improvement goals.
Step three: redesign what you buy
Choose lower impact materials, recycled content and shorter routes. Better packaging and fewer shipments cut both cost and emissions. The GHG Protocol explains how to count supply chain emissions.
Keep it simple at first
Start with the five suppliers that matter most. Learn from them before you scale. For reporting basics, see our sustainability reporting guide.
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