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Guide

Get information on contract emissions

Gather data on emissions related to contracts to help measure, manage and report on them

This guide enables organisations to:

  • get data on contract-related greenhouse gas emissions
  • better understand, measure and reduce emissions related to contracts, especially contracts with large emissions
  • consider and comply with reporting and disclosure requirements, especially on scope 3 emissions
  • calculate and manage carbon budgets to include existing and future contracts
  • monitor the performance of counterparties against the emissions-reduction targets they commit to.

Commit counterparties to measure, manage and report on emissions

Whether counterparties commit to reduce emissions is a matter of negotiation. Ideally, they will measure, manage and report on:

  • their own contract-related emissions (scope 1 and 2)
  • emissions from the value chain related to the contract (scope 3).

Agree a reporting standard or a common supplier to measure and calculate emissions. Domestic law may mandate a reporting standard. Where there is no legal requirement, use internationally recognised standards for:

Example wording

[Party B] agrees to measure, manage and report on the scope [1 and 2] [and 3] emissions related to [activities governed by the agreement] in accordance with [The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, as amended periodically].

Require counterparties to reduce emissions during the contract term

Agree the emission reductions parties must make under the contract during its term. Ideally, these targets will:

Example wording

[Party B] shall reduce the scope [1 and 2] [and 3] emissions relating to the activities governed by the agreement by [●] percent every year. This:

  • aligns with [Party A]’s emissions-reduction targets set out in its transition plan
  • is consistent with the Paris Agreement goal to limit global temperature increase to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

Establish reporting content and frequency

Ensure the contract specifies:

  • a frequency for parties to report on contract emissions. For example, every 3, 6 or 12 months from the contract start date
  • minimum requirements for the content of emissions reports.

Example wording

[Party B] shall report to [Party A] on the scope [1 and 2] [and 3] emissions relating to the activities governed by the contract (the Contract Emissions) within [time period] from the contract start date. Thereafter, [Party B] shall report the Contract Emissions to [Party A] every [time period] for the rest of the contractual term.

[Party B] will include all of the following in its emissions report:

  • industry best practices on managing and reducing scope [1 and 2] [and 3] emissions used by [Party B] during the reporting period
  • total scope [1 and 2] [and 3] emissions measured during the reporting period
  • any reduction in the total scope [1 and 2] [and 3] emissions for the reporting period measured against the total scope [1 and 2] [and 3] emissions in the year preceding the reporting period
  • the difference (if any) between the total scope [1 and 2] [and 3] emissions for the reporting period and the emissions-reduction targets.

Verify emissions reports

As part of the contract, agree a process to independently verify emissions reports. For example, the parties may agree to appoint an external auditor to verify their emissions reports. The auditor should be an impartial third party and subject matter expert who can provide independent climate-impact assessment and emissions reporting (for example, The Carbon Trust).

The party responsible for appointing the auditor and paying their fees is a matter for commercial negotiation.

Example wording

[Party B] shall appoint an external auditor or verification authority [such as The Carbon Trust] to certify its greenhouse gas emissions report.

Case studies using the contractual solutions in this guide

Case study

Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Requiring alignment of net zero targets through the value chain, supported with emissions reporting and reductions
Cambridge University
Case study

Salesforce

Requiring suppliers to set ambitious science-based emissions reduction targets by 2024
Sydney Salesforce Tower Skyline
Guide

Introduce climate provisions to contract parties

Create the right conditions for using contracts to reduce emissions from the very beginning
Guide

Request climate information in due diligence questionnaires

Assess the climate performance of other organisations and how they will impact your transition plan

Climate clauses using the contractual solutions in this guide

Zoë and Bea’s Clause

Green Supplier Agreement Terms

Jurisdiction: England & Wales

Updated:

Owen’s Clause

Net Zero Target Supply Chain Cascade Clauses

Jurisdiction: England & Wales

Updated:

Matilda’s Annex

The Net Zero Standard for Suppliers

Jurisdiction: England & Wales

Updated:

Glossary definitions used in this guide

Glossary term

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Updated:

Definitions: 3

Glossary term

Paris Agreement Goals

Updated:

Definitions: 1

Glossary term

Scope 1, 2 and 3 Emissions

Updated:

Definitions: 3

Glossary term

Transition Plan

Updated:

Definitions: 1

Disclaimer

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