Supply chains are a nexus of both climate impact and commercial resilience. For many New Zealand businesses, uplifting supply‑chain emissions data quality is a strategic decision with clear return on investment.
From data quality to business advantage
Getting ahead of supply‑chain climate risk could pay off threefold. International environmental disclosure initiative, CDP, estimates that the cost of unmitigated supply‑chain climate risk is almost three times higher than the investment required to manage it.
Supply chains are where the biggest climate impact sits. CDP reports that on average, supply chain emissions are 26× larger than operational emissions, making supplier data the primary lever for decarbonisation.
In this context, high-integrity emissions data is a clear strategic asset — for buyers and suppliers alike. Leading New Zealand businesses are moving beyond industry averages toward supplier‑specific, verified emissions data to drive resilience, reduce risk, and unlock credible climate impact.
Value flows both ways: buyers and suppliers
There are two powerful and connected angles to supplier‑specific data. It creates value in both directions — upstream and downstream:
- As a buyer
Requesting data from your suppliers gives you visibility, control and a far greater ability to reduce emissions where they matter most. - As a supplier
Providing emissions data makes you a better business partner, strengthens customer trust, and protects access to increasingly demanding markets.
The organisations making the fastest progress are doing both.
Why it matters now
1. International standards back it
- Global initiatives like SBTi’s supplier‑engagement guidance and WBCSD’s pathfinder framework are accelerating the shift from generic averages to supplier‑specific data.
2. Local momentum is growing
- New Zealand buyers are increasingly using tools like customer emissions reports, supplier-specific emissions factors and product carbon certification in procurement weighting, supplier business reviews, and transition planning. Being a lower-intensity supplier provides a competitive edge.
What is supplier-specific data?
At Toitū, we support and verify three types of supplier-specific emissions data: carbon compatible reporting, emissions intensity values and product carbon certification.
- Carbon‑compatible reporting, best for services and logistics. Provides customers with emissions information using verified methods, improving trust and comparability. Example: used by service‑based businesses such as WM New Zealand and Blue Star, responding to client requests, and increasingly used by freight providers.
- Supplier-specific emissions factors, best for standardised services or repeatable outputs. Allows customers to calculate emissions based on activity, not averages. Supports procurement comparisons and tracking improvement over time. Example: soon to be used by Toitū Envirocare to support clients' carbon reporting.
- Product Climate Impact Certification, best for highly regulated physical products. Provides a verified product carbon footprint aligned with international standards. Example: used by major New Zealand exporters such as Silver Fern Farms to support market access and credibility.
Coming soon: Toitū’s supplier-specific emissions factor
To support our clients' shift towards supply-chain resilience and carbon reporting credibility, we will soon release the Toitū-specific emission factor, which has been independently verified. The unit is ‘per contracted hour’ of services. It is derived from Toitū’s reported operational emissions and activity data. In a couple of months time, the factor will be integrated into our measurement software, emanage and our value chain tools for ease of use.
The bottom line
Supplier-specific emissions data increases businesses' ability to manage and reduce their supply chain risk and emissions beyond what industry averages can deliver. Early action on supply chain resilience costs three times less than inaction.
An opportunity to stay ahead
We’re here to partner with you on your next step. Clients interested in gaining further insight into supplier-specific data can access Appendix 14 of the Toitū Assess Guide. Contact us or speak to your programme lead if you are interested in turning supplier-specific data into a strategic asset for your business.