
Frequently Asked Questions
Supplier Emissions Data Coverage
No, our platform operates globally, allowing us to extract and analyse data from companies worldwide.
We update our emissions data periodically throughout the year. We recommend checking quarterly for the most up to date information on your suppliers' emissions.
A recent deployment reached about 60% of a large supplier base within a couple of weeks, and we start from public data to accelerate coverage before targeted outreach.
DitchCarbon currently has data on over +2m companies
We use internationally recognised, industry specific emissions estimates for companies that have not disclosed their data.
DitchCarbon currently has data on over +2m companies, we've sourced this data from a whole host of sources including: Direct disclosures from companies - anyone can claim their public profile and update, we get data from CDP, SBTI and other initiatives like UN global compact, publicly available data in sustainability reports and company filings. We also ingest private data which is only shared with the direct customer of the supplier - often the case with LCA/PCF data.
Scope 3 Carbon Accounting & Methodology
Yes, when suppliers disclose relevant data, the platform incorporates it into overall Scope 3 reporting, moving beyond spend based estimates.
Emission factors are calculated using disclosed Scope 1, 2, and relevant Scope 3 data. When unavailable, category specific or industry benchmarks are applied as proxies.
If a supplier provides their Scope 1, Scope 2, and relevant categories of upstream Scope 3 emissions, DitchCarbon uses this data to generate a supplier-specific, spend-based emission factor. If that data isn't available, we default to an industry-level emission factor. Currently, we use the EPA dataset because it offers strong granularity across service-industry categories.
No, we use the most accurate methods possible based on the level of data available, if all your suppliers have LCAs we'll do product level, if none have then we fall back to either a supplier specific spend or worst case scenario an industry spend based.
We use internationally recognised, industry specific emissions estimates for companies that have not disclosed their data.
Supplier Benchmarking, Scoring & Risk Insights
Suppliers are ranked on emissions intensity, disclosure levels, risk factors, and sustainability commitments, with comparisons made against industry peers.
Yes, emissions scores and benchmarking highlight suppliers with higher than average emissions for targeted intervention.
We incorporate multiple data points in our scoring system. First and foremost, if a company does not measure or disclose their carbon emissions, they receive a lower score. We also consider the company's industry to understand their operational environmental impact. Additionally, we track emissions trends to see if they are increasing or decreasing their carbon footprint. Participation in climate initiatives, such as CDP disclosure and the Science Based Targets initiative, serves as a strong indicator of a company's commitment to reducing emissions and is factored into our scoring.
Yes, the platform highlights high risk suppliers lacking disclosures or with poor emissions intensity metrics for procurement teams to address.
[Read our detailed methodology](https://ditchcarbon.com/calculation-methodologies#ditchcarbon-score-methodology) to learn about our ranking methodology!
Supplier Engagement & Data Collection
Very light. A supplier can email a file or fill a short form with only an email and the data to share; we accept "any format".
Yes, our outreach uses a concise template that states exactly what's in or out of scope. Suppliers can submit data however they prefer; we ingest, check, and pass it through to Salesforce.
Automation in climate action involves using technology to streamline research, data analysis, and operational efficiency, freeing up human talent for strategic, high-impact roles. This shift allows employees to focus on areas like sustainability consulting and supply chain optimization, driving greater environmental impact.
Suppliers are given prepopulated data to review and update, making the process seamless. Training and documentation are available for their teams.
The platform's prepopulation and streamlined processes typically yield higher supplier response rates compared to traditional surveys.
Supplier can submit emission data directly after they [claim their profile](https://ditchcarbon.com/claimyourprofile).
Data Quality, Auditability & Integrity
Yes. We collect PCFs in any format and flag quality issues, including whether submissions pass the PACT framework.
We use a commercial entity resolution database and accept multiple identifiers (company name, DUNS, ISIN, LEI, website, or email) to match the right entity.
Yes, every data point is linked to its source (deep linked to the exact page) and shows the level of third party assurance
Yes, exports carry the same traceability as the app, including source docs and assurance metadata, tracked all the way through.
DitchCarbon is the only 3rd party assured scope 3 tool, no other scope 3 tool's process has been assured. The reason for this is that we combine AI ingestion with human validation, we have a team of 15 analysts that check any time a data point looks wrong. This can be as a result of a bad AI extraction, difficult to interpret units or in some cases the source data is just wrong. You can read more about our assurances in our [Trust Centre](https://ditchcarbon.com/resources/trust-centre).
Extracted data is automatically validated against anomalies and historical patterns; anything that fails automated checks is escalated to analysts before it enters the system.
Procurement & Workflow Integration
Yes. We can analyze by purchasing category and surface case study backed reduction initiatives you can reuse in QBRs or SRM tools.
Yes, the platform provides recommendations, case studies, and suggested contract terms to help suppliers align with decarbonisation goals.
The platform assigns scores and benchmarks to suppliers, allowing procurement teams to filter out noncompliant or unsustainable suppliers.
Yes. We can integrate benchmark and score data so category managers see which suppliers matter most in sourcing events.
The platform offers API integration with tools like SAP, Coupa, and Salesforce, embedding seamlessly into procurement workflows.
Sustainability Reporting & Compliance Frameworks
CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) is a global environmental disclosure system. [Learn more about CDP reporting in our methodology](https://ditchcarbon.com/calculation-methodologies).
While renewable energy data is not included by default, custom metrics like renewable energy percentages or specific sustainability KPIs can be added.
The platform is updated to align with emerging regulations and standards, ensuring compliance for its users.
The platform integrates these frameworks, providing benchmarks and metrics that align with Science Based Targets and CDP disclosure requirements.
Platform Access, Pricing & Commercial Model
No never, we can't stand the predatory business model of charging suppliers to disclose to customers. We supply a whole range of services to suppliers totally free of charge: Get recommendations on how to reduce, update data (no forms to fill out), forecast emissions, and even calculate using our simple carbon calculator for those just getting started.
Yes, share a small set (e.g., 20 suppliers) and we will pull data under NDA, give you a login, and show sources and exports.
It is typically an annual subscription based on total procurement spend (with up to 50 users common), and purchasing via AWS Marketplace is being enabled to simplify onboarding.
No, our data extraction and analysis capabilities are designed to integrate with your existing systems. We provide an API for seamless integration and partner with platforms like SAP.
Partner & Reseller FAQs
The platform is compliant with GDPR and uses encryption to secure all data, ensuring privacy and security for all users.
Yes, the platform supports cobranded reports, allowing resellers to provide value added services to their clients.
Resellers receive onboarding sessions, API documentation, and ongoing support to ensure smooth adoption and usage.
Resellers can manage multiple client accounts, with separate portals and analytics for each.
Yes, resellers can use platform generated benchmarks to provide clients with actionable insights and performance comparisons.
Yes, APIs and white label options allow resellers to tailor the platform for their specific use cases and client requirements.
Glossary
Scope 3 emissions are the indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that occur in a company's value chain. Unlike Scope 1 (direct emissions from owned sources) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased energy), Scope 3 emissions come from sources not owned or controlled by the organisation.
For most businesses, they represent the largest and most complex portion of their carbon footprint, often accounting for over 80% of total emissions. They cover everything from the raw materials you purchase to the end-of-life treatment of your products.
Put simply, Scope 3 emissions are all the emissions you are responsible for, but don’t directly create. This includes your entire supply chain, business travel, employee commuting, and how customers use your products.
Tackling them is essential for any credible decarbonisation plan, but measuring them has traditionally been a huge challenge.
Why Are Scope 3 Emissions a Priority?
Addressing your organisation's Scope 3 emissions is no longer a 'nice-to-have'. It's a critical part of business strategy, risk management, and stakeholder communication. Here’s why they matter:
- Significant Impact: As the largest source of emissions for most companies, reducing Scope 3 is the most impactful way to contribute to climate goals and achieve net zero.
- Risk & Opportunity: Your value chain holds both risks (regulatory, reputational, operational) and opportunities. Engaging suppliers on decarbonisation can drive innovation, strengthen relationships, and build resilience.
- Stakeholder Expectations: Investors, customers, and employees increasingly expect companies to take responsibility for their full environmental impact. A credible plan for Scope 3 emissions demonstrates leadership and transparency.
The main hurdle has always been data. Gathering accurate information from hundreds or thousands of suppliers is a massive administrative task, often leading to reliance on averages and estimates that lack credibility.
The 15 Categories of Scope 3 Emissions
The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol divides Scope 3 emissions into 15 distinct categories to help organisations map their impact across their value chain. These are split into 'upstream' and 'downstream' activities.
Upstream Emissions
These are indirect emissions related to purchased goods and services, happening before they reach your company.
1. Purchased Goods and Services: Emissions from the production of all the products and services you buy.
2. Capital Goods: Emissions from producing capital goods like machinery, buildings, and vehicles.
3. Fuel- and Energy-Related Activities: Emissions from the production of fuels and energy you've purchased and consumed (not already covered in Scope 1 or 2).
4. Upstream Transportation and Distribution: Emissions from transporting and distributing products from your Tier 1 suppliers to your own facilities.
5. Waste Generated in Operations: Emissions from disposing of waste created in your operations.
6. Business Travel: Emissions from employee travel for business purposes (e.g., flights, trains, hotels).
7. Employee Commuting: Emissions from your employees' travel between their homes and their workplaces.
8. Upstream Leased Assets: Emissions from operating assets that you lease.
Downstream Emissions
These are indirect emissions related to your sold goods and services, happening after they leave your company.
9. Downstream Transportation and Distribution: Emissions from transporting and distributing products to the end consumer.
10. Processing of Sold Products: Emissions from the processing of your intermediate products by other companies.
11. Use of Sold Products: Emissions from the use of your products by consumers.
12. End-of-Life Treatment of Sold Products: Emissions from the disposal and treatment of your products after they are used.
13. Downstream Leased Assets: Emissions from the operation of assets you own and lease to others.
14. Franchises: Emissions from the operation of your franchises.
15. Investments: Emissions associated with your financial investments.
From Manual Chaos to Audit-Ready Clarity
The old way of managing Scope 3 emissions involved chasing suppliers, wrestling with spreadsheets, and relying on industry averages that auditors and stakeholders couldn't fully trust. It was a slow, manual process that delivered insights months after the fact.
OLD: Chasing suppliers → master spreadsheet → averages → audit ping-pong → “top-50 only”.
NEW: Verified supplier data in one place → scalable collection with QA → decision-ready outputs.
Modern approaches change the game. By consolidating verified supplier data from multiple sources, you can automate the calculation of your Scope 3 emissions. This provides a single source of truth with clear provenance for every data point, turning a complex reporting exercise into a strategic advantage.
Instead of spending months on data collection, you can get audit-ready outputs in weeks. This frees up your team to focus on what really matters: engaging suppliers, identifying decarbonisation hotspots, and making measurable progress towards your net-zero goals. With the right platform, you can see the pathway to reduction, not just the problem.
Our operational model is designed to move you from complex supplier data to a credible, actionable decarbonisation plan. We replace manual chasing and spreadsheet guesswork with a structured process that delivers audit-ready insights and empowers your teams to make measurable progress on your Scope 3 goals.
The old way involves endless supplier surveys, fragmented data, and reliance on industry averages. Our new approach provides a single source of truth for supplier emissions, enabling a clear path to sustainable procurement and genuine carbon reduction.
Step 1: Unifying Your Supplier Data for Decarbonisation
The foundation of any successful decarbonisation strategy is reliable data. Our process begins by creating a comprehensive view of your supply chain's carbon footprint.
We start with an analysis of all available supplier and spend data. This allows us to map your supply chain, establish areas for supplier-specific spend calculations, and identify critical emissions hot spots. By integrating public disclosures and data you already hold, we can often build a robust baseline in weeks, not months, giving you a head start on your carbon reduction journey. This initial phase provides the essential context for targeted action.
Step 2: Scalable Supplier Engagement and Data Collection
Engaging suppliers for primary data is crucial for accurate carbon reporting, but it shouldn't be a burden on them or your team. Our platform streamlines this process at scale.
We contact relevant suppliers to acquire product-level carbon footprint data, using localised, simple requests to boost response rates. Our system validates this information upon receipt and integrates it into your central dashboard. This targeted engagement minimises supplier fatigue and delivers the high-quality data needed for effective decarbonisation planning.
For suppliers who cannot provide product-level data, we have a clear fallback methodology. We systematically revert to the next best data source-from supplier-specific activity data down to verified industry averages-ensuring complete coverage with full transparency.
Step 3: From Raw Data to Audit-Ready Insights
Data is only useful when it’s trusted. We turn raw inputs into decision-ready outputs you can use for internal reporting, stakeholder communication, and audits.
Every data point is validated, versioned, and tracked, providing full provenance. This creates an audit-ready evidence trail for your Scope 3 calculations. Our platform presents this information through intuitive dashboards, highlighting hotspots, tracking progress against targets, and allowing you to drill down into specific suppliers or categories. This clarity transforms complex carbon data into a powerful tool for strategic decision-making.
Step 4: Enabling Sustainable Procurement Decisions
True decarbonisation happens when emissions data informs day-to-day business decisions. We embed a carbon signal directly into your procurement workflow.
By providing clear scorecards and peer benchmarks, we empower your procurement teams to evaluate suppliers on their carbon performance before a purchase order is raised. This proactive approach helps you select partners who are aligned with your sustainability goals and drives measurable carbon reduction from the ground up. It shifts decarbonisation from a retrospective reporting exercise to a forward-looking business strategy.
Join the industry leaders and solve your Scope 3 emissions data challenge
See how DitchCarbon can transform your sustainability journey with auditable insights and verified data.
