Supplier Analysis & Management
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      3. Supplier Analysis & Management

      Understanding Supplier Decarbonization Scores

      This guide explains each Decarbonization Score level in detail and offers tips to help suppliers improve.

      Introduction

      The Decarbonization Score is a powerful metric in Emitwise that summarizes a supplier’s progress toward reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By assigning a clear level—Insufficient, Starter, Bronze, Silver, or Gold—the Decarbonization Score provides you with an instant snapshot of a supplier’s carbon maturity, targets, and initiatives. This guide explains each level in detail and offers tips to help suppliers improve.

      Step-by-Step Guide

      1. Access the Decarbonization Score

        • Go to Analyze / Suppliers Overview.
        • Scroll to the table of suppliers and locate the Decarbonization Score column.

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      2. Understand the Five Score Levels

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        Each level reflects how much data and effort a supplier has put into measuring, reporting, and reducing their emissions:

        • Insufficient
          • What it Means: The supplier profile lacks critical data (e.g., missing revenue, Scope 1 & 2 emissions, or more).
          • Common Situation: New or unresponsive suppliers who haven’t provided baseline information.
          • Next Step: Encourage them to input their fundamental company data and measure at least Scope 1 & 2 emissions.
        • Starter
          • What it Means: The supplier has disclosed basic details—Scope 1 & 2 emissions and revenue.
          • Common Situation: Suppliers just beginning their decarbonization journey; they have some data in place but lack Scope 3 or deeper insights.
          • Next Step: Guide them to measure Scope 3 emissions or, if relevant, product-level footprints (PCFs).
        • Bronze
          • What it Means: The supplier has either fully disclosed Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions or provided at least one Product Carbon Footprint. This allows you to calculate a company emission factor (emissions intensity) or have product-specific footprints.
          • Common Situation: Suppliers who have taken measurable steps to account for more of their emissions but may not yet have official targets.
          • Next Step: Encourage them to set decarbonization targets—ideally science-aligned—to move beyond Bronze.
        • Silver
          • What it Means: The supplier has set and disclosed a science-aligned target. This indicates active commitment to global climate goals.
          • Common Situation: Suppliers have a relatively mature program but may not be engaging their own supply chains yet.
          • Next Step: Work with them to expand their engagement—encouraging them to help their upstream suppliers measure and reduce emissions.
        • Gold
          • What it Means: The highest level, indicating the supplier has a science-aligned target and is actively engaging a minimum percentage of its own supply chain emissions.
          • Common Situation: Best-in-class suppliers with robust programs reaching deep into their value chains.
          • Next Step: Continue collaborating and sharing success stories to incentivize others. Maintain engagement to ensure they stay at Gold level.

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      3. Review Supporting Indicators

        Alongside the Decarbonization Score, you’ll see related columns (e.g., Carbon Maturity, Target, Decarbonization Initiatives) that help explain why a supplier holds a particular score. A few key points:

        • Carbon Maturity: Reveals if suppliers measure Scope 1, 2, and/or 3.
        • Target: Indicates whether they have a science-aligned target, committed to one, or none.
        • Decarbonization Initiatives: Shows if they have documented strategies to reduce emissions.

      4. Use Filters and Searches

        • Narrow your view to find suppliers at a specific decarbonization level.
        • For instance, filter by “Decarbonization Score = Bronze” to spot suppliers close to leveling up and see what they need to do next.

      5. Improve Supplier Scores

        • Address Missing Data: The quickest gains come from submitting or updating missing emissions/revenue data.
        • Encourage Science-Aligned Targets: Suppliers move from Bronze to Silver by setting a credible, science-based target.
        • Drive Supply Chain Engagement: To reach Gold, they must not only have their own targets but also engage a minimum threshold of their emissions across their suppliers.

      Common Issues/Tips

      • Tip: Use the QBR (Quarterly Business Review) process to discuss each supplier’s Decarbonization Score, so you can collaboratively plan next steps.
      • Issue: If a supplier’s score doesn’t match your expectations, hover over any data-quality flags or check the Data Collection Status column to see if some inputs are incomplete.

      Conclusion

      The Decarbonization Score offers a fast, holistic view of a supplier’s decarbonization journey. By understanding and tracking these five levels—Insufficient, Starter, Bronze, Silver, and Gold—you can identify where each supplier stands and guide them toward meaningful progress.