Scope 3
8 min read
Where to start with Scope 3 when your data is messy
Spend data, supplier surveys and primary data — how to get a defensible Scope 3 number in weeks, not years.
Dr. Lena Hart
Chief Scientist, Verdan
Scope 3 is usually 70–90% of a company’s footprint, and almost none of it is in your own systems. The good news: you do not need perfect data to start.
Begin with spend
Your ledger already lists every supplier and what you paid them. Spend-based factors turn that into a first estimate across all 15 categories in a few days.
Find the hotspots
Usually a handful of suppliers and categories make up most of the total. That is where primary data is worth chasing.
Upgrade over time
Replace estimates with supplier-specific data as it comes in, and track a data-quality score so you can show auditors the trend.
Scope 3, Suppliers
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