My buyer's supplier code says I must measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. What is the minimum to comply?

For a clause that says measure and reduce, the usual minimum is a yearly Scope 1 and 2 inventory made with the GHG Protocol, the bills and invoices behind it, and a written reduction goal or plan with actions you are taking. Read the exact wording first: words like report publicly, set targets or science-based raise the bar.

Read the verbs in the clause

• Measure, track or monitor: an annual inventory of at least Scope 1 and 2.
• Reduce or improve: a goal or plan, and evidence of actions such as efficiency projects.
• Disclose or report: sharing figures with the buyer, through its portal or CDP, or publicly if the clause says so.
• Set targets, or science-based targets: a dated, numeric target; science-based means validated under SBTi criteria.
• Significant Scope 3: a screening of your own supply chain as well.

The minimum pack for a measure and reduce clause

1. Scope 1: fuels burned on site and in owned vehicles, from fuel invoices.
2. Scope 2: grid electricity from discom bills, location-based with the CEA factor.
3. A one-page method note: boundary, period, factors and their sources.
4. A reduction goal, for example an absolute cut in Scope 1 and 2 by a stated year, and two or three actions with dates.
5. The source documents, kept for the audit period.

When the minimum is not enough

If the buyer's code is the RBA Code, it asks for an absolute company-wide reduction goal and public reporting, which is more than this minimum. Buyers with their own science-based supplier engagement targets will also ask for a target, not just a plan. Ask the buyer which programme its clause supports.

A decision rule

If the clause has no numbers, deliver the minimum pack this year and ask the buyer in writing whether it meets their expectation. If it names a standard, a date or a portal, meet that exactly.

What Senseible does here

Senseible builds Scope 1 and 2 from your fuel invoices and electricity bills, with the factor and source on each line and the documents kept for a buyer audit. The figures are self-declared.

• RBA Code energy and GHG requirements
• SBTi supplier engagement targets
• Absolute or intensity reduction target

Sources: GHG Protocol Corporate Standard (Scope 1 and Scope 2 reporting), GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance

Last reviewed 2026-10-18.