Context

Faced with growing pressure to address emissions from its value chain, a major Belgian retailer has set itself a bold target: to reduce its Scope 3 emissions by 45% by 2030. Since July 2024, Intysify has been supporting this ambition through the work of one of its sustainability consultants, who plays a central role in designing and operationalizing the company's decarbonization strategy.

Scope 3 emissions from the retailer's supply chain make up most of its carbon footprint. As a result, the company relies on data from a wide range of suppliers, from multinationals to small and medium-sized enterprises. However, the disparity in their reporting capabilities poses a significant challenge: while some suppliers have already adopted advanced carbon accounting tools, others are reluctant or unable to invest in such systems. To address this, the retailer has launched dedicated climate hubs - digital platforms where suppliers can access resources, learn more about emissions reporting and better understand the retailer's climate commitments. However, when the annual data collection window opens, many suppliers still face barriers: limited access to data, a lack of methodological knowledge or insufficient internal resources.

Our impact

The Intysify consultant acts as a key support point during this critical period. She manages incoming requests, identifies bottlenecks and analyses reporting gaps. She also researches various aspects, answering questions such as why certain suppliers do not report and why This diagnostic approach allows the retailer to tailor its supplier engagement and improve participation over time. Ensuring the credibility of reported data is another pillar of the consultant's role. An external company provides estimated carbon footprints based on industry benchmarks and purchasing volumes. These estimates are compared with the suppliers' self-reported data, and where there are significant discrepancies, follow-up discussions are held about the emission factors used, the operations included, etc. This process fosters a learning dynamic between suppliers and the retailer.

Finally, one of the key challenges was the limited integration of carbon considerations into commercial discussions. To address this, our consultant works closely with internal teams to raise awareness and standardize engagement to make sustainability part of commercial negotiations. By aligning internal stakeholders and equipping them with the right tools, the consultant helps to embed climate action deeper into supplier relationships.

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