Why Your Customers Are About to Ask for Your GHG Emissions Data (Even If You’re Not Regulated)
- hiyasingh6
- Mar 24
- 2 min read
You’ve likely faced it already: a big client slides a 40-question ESG supplier form across your desk. They want Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions data, and you’ve never calculated emissions before. You’re not publicly traded, you’re not regulated, and you’re a small business. Yet the core message is unavoidable: your customers’ climate commitments now include you.
International bodies like the International Sustainability Standards Board, initiatives such as Science Based Targets Initiative, and Canadian alignment through the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board are converging to push large firms to disclose value-chain emissions. This isn’t about heavy technical detail; it’s about recognizing that big firms must measure and report the emissions tied to their suppliers. And that expectation is inching its way toward smaller players too.
What the Scopes Means — In Plain English
Scope 1 = Your direct fuel use.
Scope 2 = Your purchased electricity.
Scope 3 = Everything else in your value chain.
For many companies, Scope 3 represents roughly 70–90% of total emissions (Greenhouse Gas Protocol, 2022). Why does this matter? If a customer has a climate target, your emissions affect their numbers. You’re part of their Scope 3.
Why SMEs Are Suddenly Getting Supplier Questionnaires
A pressure cascade is unfolding:
Investors back large corporations.
Large corporations pressure their procurement teams.
Procurement teams ask suppliers for data and assurances.
You’ll hear about science-based targets (i.e., ambitious and measurable climate goals) and climate-disclosure expectations. Risk management is now a core driver in terms of supply-chain resilience and reputational protection. The key takeaway: procurement teams are increasingly climate risk managers.
The 5 Most Common Mistakes SMEs Make
Ignoring the questionnaire or delaying response.
Guessing numbers without a credible methodology.
Saying “not applicable” to Scope 3 when it’s relevant.
Publishing vague claims like “working toward net zero.”
Waiting until contract renewal to act.
Instead of making these mistakes, aim for dependable, defensible data that protects relationships and opportunities.
What “Supplier-Ready” Looks Like in 2026
"Supplier-ready" means you can answer ESG questionnaires confidently and consistently, all while being backed by credible data. Readiness means:
Knowing your Scope 1 & 2 emissions.
Understanding the major Scope 3 categories relevant to your business.
Having a basic, documented reduction plan (even if modest).
Avoiding unsupported climate claims.
Being able to respond within days, not weeks.
Call to Action
If you want to move from anxious guessing to confident readiness,
Book a 30-minute “Supplier Readiness Review” to map your current state and a practical path forward.
At Achieve Sustainability, we can help streamline the process and assist you in calculating your Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions in ESG surveys.
🌿 For more information, book a free consultation here or email info@achievesustainability.ca.
References
Greenhouse Gas Protocol. (2022). Scope 3 Frequently Asked Questions. In Greenhouse
Gas Protocol.
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