Any business making a purchase, whether it’s a product or a service, will have a set of criteria that shapes what they believe makes something “good.” Cost, quality, and compliance with standards usually sit at the top of that list.

What’s changing, however, is the growing importance placed on sustainability and carbon performance.

And this isn’t just about the carbon footprint of a single product or service. Increasingly, it’s about the entire business behind it, the organisation producing, supplying, or delivering it.

Many companies have already made strong progress on reducing their Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Yet what they’re now discovering is that anywhere from 60 to 95% of their total emissions sit within Scope 3, specifically within their purchased goods and services.

Understanding what’s out of your control

So how can a business reduce emissions that, by definition, are outside its direct control?

The first step is understanding.

Some companies may already report on Scope 3 emissions, but often these figures come from benchmark estimations, not actual supplier data. That means they have little insight into which suppliers are performing well, and which ones need more support.

To truly understand, a business needs to engage its supply chain. This means asking suppliers to provide verified data on their own carbon emissions.

Those who respond give you clarity: you gain a detailed understanding of your supply chain’s footprint and the emissions associated with each supplier relationship. After all, for every company you buy from, a portion of their emissions becomes yours.

Suppliers who don’t engage, on the other hand, highlight both a challenge and an opportunity, an opening for education, collaboration, and guidance on how to start measuring emissions. Not all cases will allow for this level of support, but where possible, it’s an important step toward shared progress.

Pressure and opportunity for suppliers

For some suppliers, not being able to provide carbon data could come at a cost. Businesses under increasing sustainability scrutiny may be forced to prioritise partners who can meet their environmental requirements.

It’s worth remembering: these businesses are under their own pressures. Reporting, disclosure, and net zero commitments are now business-critical expectations.

But let’s not see this only as a consequence to avoid. It’s also an opportunity, a way to set your business apart and demonstrate forward-thinking leadership.

By being proactive and transparent, you make your clients’ lives easier. You remove barriers for them and stand out as a reliable, credible supplier.

When a business is sorting through its list of “non-engaged suppliers,” your name could already be on the list of those ready and responsive.

At NCZ, we’ve seen this lead directly to new opportunities, suppliers moving up preferred partner tiers, being shortlisted more often, and even receiving direct referrals.

Preparing for what’s next

We’re all working toward net zero, and that can only happen with real supply chain action.

It’s not a question of if you’ll be asked for your carbon data, it’s when.

If your business is currently emitting more than you’d like, don’t panic. No one expects miracles overnight. What matters is showing you have a plan, one that’s transparent, structured, and time-bound.

Use the growing demand for carbon accountability to your advantage. Build a Carbon Reduction Plan that recognises where you are today, outlines your short-, medium-, and long-term goals, and commits to measuring and reporting progress annually.

This approach shows that you take sustainability seriously, that you’re honest about your footprint, and that you’re taking responsibility for it.

The invisible feature that’s becoming visible

Sustainability and carbon reporting were once seen as “invisible” attributes, important, but not decisive.

Today, that’s no longer the case.

Your environmental performance has become a visible feature of your product, your brand, and your business. It’s a growing factor in whether clients choose to work with you or move on to someone else.

And for businesses ready to lead, that visibility is a competitive advantage, not a burden.

Zac Harkin

Customer Success Manager, NCZ