Downstream vs upstream emissions - what do these terms mean and why are they important in the context of carbon accounting?

Downstream vs upstream emissions: what you need to know

ESG investing has proven to be one of the most durable investment trends over the past decade. Learn why all kinds of investors support ESG funds and investments.

ESG investing: meaning and trends

In this article we’ll explore the definition of ESG metrics, their benefits, and how companies can select the right metrics to align with their goals.

Understanding ESG metrics in 2023

In this article, we'll explore what sustainability reporting is, the benefits it brings, and why it's essential for your company.

What is sustainability reporting and why is it important?

Ines Gendre

After graduating in 2016 with a master’s degree in marketing, Ines began her career in project management. However she soon decided to turn towards writing, to bring her core competencies to the service of societal changes. First working as a freelance copywriter, she joined Greenly in early 2022 to help fight global warming.

Matthieu Vegreville

Matthieu is a 28 year-old graduate engineer from Ecole Polytechnique and Télecom Paris, with a background in data science at Withings. While there, he worked on watch activity detection algorithms, and developed a health study activity so that connected objects could be used to better monitor certain pathologies. He has long been involved in data science projects with his brother, who has the same training. Faced with the urgency of the climate crisis, he decided to put his know-how at the service of the environment. 

After seeking opportunities to put her various creative passions to good use, she joined Greenly in mid 2022 as SEO copywriter for the U.S. blog to provide her American perspective on the climate change issues we face today.

Stephanie Safdie - Greenly

Stephanie completed a bachelor's degree in English & Multimedia in 2020 at the University of Maryland College Park. She previously worked as a social media content video creator and freelance copywriter. After seeking opportunities to put her various creative passions to good use, she joined Greenly in mid 2022 as SEO copywriter for the U.S. blog to provide her American perspective on the climate change issues we face today. 

Kara joined the team at Greenly in 2023 as SEO copywriter for the UK market.

Kara Anderson - Greenly

Kara studied her bachelors of law at the University of Glasgow and her masters in international law at the University of Aberdeen, before looking for a more creative career path. She found this in advertising, working as a content manager in London. After a move to Paris in 2019 she decided to switch to freelance copywriting in order to scratch her creative itch. Kara joined the team at Greenly in 2023 as SEO copywriter for the UK market.  

Arnaud Delubac

Arnaud, 26 years old, trained as a designer and in digital communication at INSEEC before joining the Master Entrepreunariat at ESSEC-CentraleSupélec. Passionate about social media since his teenage years, he has created some of the biggest Twitter communities in France before joining the digital communication team of the Prime Minister’s office in Matignon. It was at the Secretaries of State for Digital, Mounir Mahjoubi and Cédric O, where Arnaud directly managed the team, that he developed a strong conviction for the need to use technology to bring awareness to the greatest causes of our time.

Alexis Normand

Alexis is a 37 year-old graduate of HEC and Sciences-Po. After his studies, he spent 2 years working in public policy consulting. He then spent 6 years at Withings, a leading company in connected objects. While there, he continued the companies operations in Boston, USA, and created the company’s health department. After the company was bought by Nokia, he joined the startup Embleema by working through Techstars, one of the best startup incubators in the United States, where he developed a taste for entrepreneurship. His return to France was an opportunity to put all his experience at the service of the environment, during a crucial moment in the climate crisis.

Justine Dumont

Justine a toujours été passionnée de lecture et d’écriture. En 2019, elle parvient justement à faire de sa passion son métier, en devenant rédactrice web indépendante. Motivée par ses engagements écologiques, elle rejoint l’équipe de Greenly en 2022 afin de mettre ses compétences au service de la cause environnementale. 

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Choose A Sustainable Supply Chain to Reduce Your Footprint

Greenly launches its "Supplier Engagement" solution. A service to support companies in reducing their scope 3 emissions.

<p id=""><strong id="">Scope 3 emissions can represent up to 90% of a company’s total carbon footprint. </strong></p><p id="">Despite that being a huge percentage, the evaluation of scope 3 was only considered optional until recently. However, this made it difficult for any business to effectively and significantly reduce its environmental impact.</p><p id="">To solve this issue Greenly has decided to offer their customers a 100% digital solution, allowing them to evaluate their supply chain in a few clicks while quickly identifying their ways of improvement. </p><p id="">Curious? Discover our “Supplier Engagement” solution now. </p><p id="">‍</p><h2 id="">Why do you need help from your suppliers to reduce your carbon footprint?</h2><h3 id="">The supply chain, a major CO2 emission station</h3><p id="">Supply chain is responsible for a significant share of <a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/what-are-the-scope-3-emissions" id="">scope 3 emissions</a>. </p><p id="">According to a <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Business%20Functions/Sustainability/Our%20Insights/Starting%20at%20the%20source%20sustainability%20in%20the%20supply%20chain/Starting-at-the-source-Sustainability-in-supply-chains.pdf" id="">2016 McKinsey study</a>, <strong id="">supply chains of PGC companies can account for up to 90% of corporate emissions and environmental impact</strong>.</p><p id="">Conclusion? If you want to reduce your company’s carbon footprint quickly and significantly, you must focus on your suppliers.</p><blockquote id="">👉 As a reminder, scope 3 includes all indirect greenhouse gas emissions (excluding energy): purchasing, transporting goods, waste management, etc.</blockquote><p id="">‍</p><h3 id="">A quality requirement up to sourcing</h3><p id="">If your company is responsible for a large amount of Scope 3 emissions, this situation could rapidly get it into trouble. 💥</p><p id="">Because of <a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/what-is-the-climate-disclosure-rule-proposed-by-the-sec" id="">emerging regulatory obligations</a> and the emergency embodied by global warming, companies are required to be exemplary, both by their clients and their investors.</p><p id="">Environmental performance (and carbon assessments) are screened. Brands that try to free themselves of their environmental impact or venture to practice greenwashing play a dangerous game.</p><p id="">There are a lot of examples illustrating the attention now given to the companies’ supply chains: in 2020, Total had been caught by Greenpeace for its palm oil-based “agrofuels”.</p><p id="">In the same way, clothing brands belonging to the <a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/all-you-need-to-know-about-fast-fashion" id="">fast-fashion industry</a> are regularly criticized for their supply chain.</p><p id="">‍</p><h2 id="">How to involve your suppliers in your low-carbon strategy?</h2><h3 id="">Conduct a carbon assessment for your company</h3><p id="">Before seeking the commitment of your suppliers, it is essential to measure the carbon footprint of your own company.</p><p id="">The objective is to detail the environmental impact of its activity and to identify the ways it could be improved.</p><blockquote id="">👀 Let’s face it: it would be ill-received to require efforts from your supply chain if you don’t do your part.</blockquote><p id="">‍</p><h3 id="">Ask for Greenly’s Supplier Engagement Solution</h3><p id="">The Supplier Engagement solution created by Greenly aims at enabling each company to develop a clear vision of its supply chain’s carbon footprint and to engage its suppliers in developing their own low-carbon strategy. </p><blockquote id="">👉 Each company is advised by its dedicated Climate Expert. </blockquote><p id="">‍</p><h2 id="">Supplier Engagement journey, step by step</h2><h3 id="">1. Listing of suppliers</h3><p id="">The company using the Supplier Engagement solution imports the list of its suppliers in .csv format, or adds them one by one. </p><p id="">Once registered, each supplier has its own information sheet.</p><p id="">‍</p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div id=""><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6232f79b68d15d3d9b69c096/63453c4c49a3a94a71752ef2_xL975Jt00Jem6RFOFCQSnGqyBsRUdrDaREsRlzD_mmT6MfXGMlolOTOUo2sEJdcdr_XBrbU4-rigRgXNdZX6_Eu3yMLlm0X_yfp5Dw1LKpP30N0HmXRYPP5P3_x3o1mGjYfBsqhe9YhNOv8qUVAkUuvqdN3v05eGRkCXLPTgI_4zsgIKPjzC-rBehw.png" id="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto"></div></figure><p id="">‍</p><h3 id="">2. Pooling of databases</h3><p id="">If some suppliers have already been evaluated by Greenly, we will recover their information, and their score will automatically appear on their information sheet.</p><p id="">As a reminder, Greenly’s databases are updated regularly via external sources (CDP for example).</p><p id="">‍</p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div id=""><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6232f79b68d15d3d9b69c096/63453c4d3fb3571a740242de_fuZZKoXh_prTU6dcmjglNL11dD5sibJ82J3lNJW4PxHhTkh2NaFc2f-l4y8Q0kYxKFJFV7TXY5L0TG3Di0dPehRc7cm7D25mUWaEoWeCaaMcc6Lp3EyePoMm99hZOLWzAvd7j8rsALXE1fTRnT4hr-33jo7JRalJYqMwXDjtliCPX6s8iAi0MRIYnQ.png" id="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto"></div></figure><p id="">‍</p><h3 id="">3. Supplier Engagement Process</h3><p id="">A questionnaire is sent by Greenly to the suppliers the company wants to evaluate, thanks to the Supplier Engagement platform. </p><p id="">The questionnaire includes declarative data to be collected (producing country, purchasing policy, etc.), as well as documents to be provided (carbon assessment - if already done - and turnover). </p><p id="">‍</p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div id=""><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6232f79b68d15d3d9b69c096/63453c4d2b979a50958819f7_RrvAzXtG1bm2o-QLsuJjL9BCJbrCg65nnaadSytMmUZbCSvGL5q1qjyXrhXk6oFBl94S10ZfXVfNVMAsmtBaFlJi-6I_P8Ww638qkcYh0TnaDuwW9aVprIUrlhDh-2yWJduxmNjgr4iGLBpo3wTUxDO7ZAP1PrBO43TqvQlyFWQ9yeFy4bpxywQgmw.png" id="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto"></div></figure><p id="">‍</p><h3 id="">4. Scoring</h3><p id="">Greenly assigns a score to all suppliers which completed the questionnaire - scores ranging from A+ to E.</p><p id="">This score indicates the maturity of the carbon strategy implemented. </p><p id="">The methodology used is being continuously improved (in line with advances in scientific research). </p><p id="">‍</p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div id=""><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6232f79b68d15d3d9b69c096/63453c4c5b972cd427bd79a7__kzuaSl5_dTD2VHN3pSydT5jPdqHxM1nd20FLQxaHWOkZfhg5zVwiFtY5TiVjcPYXFu0OojDw7HHCDPH-quqpMF-8m6uO6ofyp0_nDhrQwFuKPM5fH8UBBBt2USHf8H_GKk9m5I_MS5puvxCMRNTv_fN1Y9QTYVdtJnJldhfgARTYfF57Mx6uDUsBQ.png" id="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto"></div></figure><p id="">‍</p><h3 id="">5. Developing a customized dashboard</h3><p id="">The idea is to provide the company with a centralized view of its supplier portfolio. The content is customizable: response rate to the questionnaire, scores’ distribution, most emissive suppliers, missing suppliers, etc. </p><p id="">The objective is to clearly visualize all suppliers’ information, updated in real time, and to steer the progress of sustainable purchasing projects.</p><p id="">‍</p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div id=""><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6232f79b68d15d3d9b69c096/63453c4c1a5bcf59db0a47c2_48WgDouebruWfuwsH6exJyAPpdpF_qA47ZUKNDa6CAG9h4NoUgKxwNXUt5Y6ST5stpkEDN4Muy2mk3b1Dya0EnV5bJxnQg42R9nOXfUtg7zLFEGpGl-QAC1LqW7HPBKLVsU_Xjy_OOlltC91AK_FfbFuZG8InY98l6X4AOU1ucWlZFwMDooXiuGplQ.png" id="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto"></div></figure><p id="">‍</p><h3 id="">6. Accessing the sustainable alternatives’ index</h3><p id="">In order to optimize its supply chain, the company can access the index of our alternatives.</p><p id="">Each of the listed companies has been rated by Greenly and compared to similar entities in order to facilitate decision-making. </p><p id="">‍</p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div id=""><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6232f79b68d15d3d9b69c096/63453c4db1344c7eead1887e_67awrCpJizFUH7MzXPLDCmfOiG9VIArJt1mVqo9srBhbespGm5cgNu1jsYQQWZaAC39P2hrR4CBNVR2MeFCgEtFnRV0uJmZepq_jslBuqB22oWCeZ--Tpa5hFJPtkeOFKScsVxe7P-jpwP1_DJoJWehZTtX5K-Gh-BHsR3lG_xDVfLGhnxLJLog7JQ.png" id="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto"></div></figure><p id="">‍</p><h3 id="">7. Refining Life Cycle Analysis</h3><p id="">If the company has made a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of one of its products with Greenly, it can be refined using data retrieved from the responding suppliers.</p><p id="">‍</p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div id=""><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6232f79b68d15d3d9b69c096/63453c4d21dc95256d974fbd_VVusaNmCTZxTEkdLc0aQEcS3DHYkgEjjaqWS4rwwF6kfhPueB5jeHAyScBDidtzdL8r86RgtMoUS8HdCeLSgx3SlcMHFrXOgzxzSt7rUioWf_P4NRmkmDi5SNCcvgjHpCj54U922I6PwA8oH4D155pWGV4ju9Cc9LWgGrvPzd2x90Eu-9YQ8gd7QkQ.png" id="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto"></div></figure><p id="">‍</p><h3 id="">8. Receive a more accurate carbon assessment, including Scope 3</h3><p id="">Like the LCA, the company’s carbon footprint can also be refined with the responses provided by all of its suppliers. </p><p id="">The main advantage lies in the accuracy of the scope 3 data.</p><p id="">‍</p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div id=""><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6232f79b68d15d3d9b69c096/63453c4d5b972c2512bd79e9_NfZS-uasSV-L3urmOKFOZtunxqT8cAcToBGQ6xNmZx4WMqqAb0xChV14nW4il_Pq19DBgPYqWEOG0cucSX1mmh8MTAdRs5xJg7l0KHbY5b_UMqtmsmILGGBc5uUu_X-9PeNtrVfy-FLkyNicM4vUyTsUEGCMsChfFcYYwqPQ8QXxVHxmfLk21n2UuQ.png" id="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto"></div></figure><p id="">‍</p><h3 id="">9. Integration with the company’s tools</h3><p id="">Our solution can be easily integrated to the software and systems used by the company to track suppliers.</p><p id="">One goal: not multiplying the platforms used by employees.</p><p id="">‍</p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div id=""><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6232f79b68d15d3d9b69c096/63453c4ca821603949bce88f_E17rcc25QqyvCn2dBb_KsHH4qbQHMPC8q-AqnWAYFk_hiZ3fI665B332ykn1jFFyRdYD_bx85Enu8juGN1LX-fvoDSYjJu6gmUX7kNz3JuvZ0XEs3Ra07iTGuGQnWYHKmj3yXdhNUGD8mOusxz9Nngspildbq2dnWwylDkCpUbjypFTLAabHGVLB7Q.png" id="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto"></div></figure><p id="">‍</p><h3 id="">10. Updating and continuous improvement</h3><p id="">Throughout the year, the company can track and update information about its suppliers.</p><p id="">In addition, our team of climate experts is available to support the reflection and continuous improvement of our customers' purchasing strategies towards sustainable schemes.</p><p id="">‍</p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div id=""><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6232f79b68d15d3d9b69c096/63453c4d49a3a940fe752ef3_zTIm4ROnNtWxA-1qTg_Eg3bzWd19xuheumaaD4On_sp_C5oIxwx-lSIMS8R6DdWK6koA3IhKi8SpDtoPjJEHZhAx4g9HBaQbrbQM2qArak8O14cW_-XAN2ky6Zo8sfDz7XY41Ix_41vSEb8EbkFWlW9a5I61Wvtew4z-_g9_YBeK6Y-B8gqraiMgwA.png" id="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto"></div></figure><p id="">‍</p><h2 id="">Why should you choose Greenly Supplier Engagement?</h2><blockquote id="">👉 Greenly’s Supplier Engagement solution is an all-in-one solution that allows each company to analyze, track, drive and improve its supply chain to reduce CO2 emissions.</blockquote><p id="">In addition to being practical, this tool is also a competitive asset for the company’s long-term strategy.</p><p id="">Clients, investors, employees, legislation, etc. The environmental requirements are now growing - as illustrated by the greenwashing scandals that occurred this year (<a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/greenwashing-what-mistake-did-deutsche-bank-make" id="">Deutsche Bank</a>, Adidas and New Balance, for example).</p><p id="">Starting to reduce your scope 3 emissions means really committing to reducing your greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with the expectations and requirements of your stakeholders, but also simply to stand out from the competition.</p><p id="">‍</p><p id="">Are you ready? 😎</p><p id="">‍</p><p>‍</p><p id=""><strong id="">🚀 If you enjoyed reading this article, here are a few more :</strong></p><ul id=""><li id=""><a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/why-is-the-colorado-river-threatened-by-a-water-crisis" id="">Why is the Colorado River Threatened by a Water Crisis?</a></li><li id=""><a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/us-wildfires-destroy-carbon-offsets" id="">US Wildfires Destroy Carbon Offsets</a></li><li id=""><a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/reforestation-our-guide-to-sustainable-companies" id="">Reforestation: Our Guide to Sustainable Companies</a></li><li id=""><a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/how-to-implement-a-csr-approach-in-your-company" id="">How to implement a CSR approach in your company</a></li><li id=""><a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/all-you-need-to-know-about-fast-fashion" id="">All You Need to Know About Fast Fashion</a></li></ul><p>‍</p>

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Downstream vs upstream emissions: what you need to know

ESG investing: meaning and trends

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