The Greenly Handbook on Carbon Accounting

What challenges are businesses facing in managing Scope 3 emissions? 

Managing Scope 3 emissions presents a major challenge because these indirect emissions — ranging from upstream purchases to downstream product use — depend entirely on data from third parties across the value chain. In practice, this means many businesses struggle with inconsistent or missing information, as suppliers often lack the capacity, resources or standardised processes to calculate and share their own footprints. Without reliable data, companies resort to high-level spend-based estimates that obscure where the biggest reduction opportunities lie. 

To address this blind spot, Greenly’s Climate Suite incorporates a suite of supplier engagement tools: smart questionnaires that guide vendors through reporting their emissions, automated estimation routines that fill in gaps when precise figures are unavailable and a comprehensive climate onboarding journey that educates and supports suppliers through each step. 

How can supply chain sustainability challenges be overcome? 

Overcoming supply chain sustainability challenges first requires transforming the entire chain into a collaborative ecosystem rather than a series of isolated transactions. This means sharing data and insights openly so that each tier of suppliers and partners understands not only its own emissions but also how its performance affects the broader network. Equipping suppliers through training, clear guidelines and ongoing support ensures they have the skills and incentives to accurately measure and reduce their footprints. 

Just as finance has been revolutionised through digital platforms, ESG interactions must also be digitalised: automated data exchange, real-time dashboards and integrated communication channels enable all stakeholders to stay aligned on targets and progress. Greenly’s Climate Suite is designed to facilitate exactly this kind of collaboration — it connects every participant, streamlines data collection through standardised questionnaires and API integrations and fosters a shared vision by presenting unified dashboards that highlight collective goals and opportunities for improvement.

What trends do you anticipate in ESG technology? 

An AI‐based ESG agent acts as a continuously learning copilot that digests vast amounts of environmental, social and governance data — from supplier disclosures to energy consumption logs to evolving regulatory texts — and translates it into actionable insights in real time. At its core, the agent uses natural language processing to ingest unstructured documents (eg. sustainability reports, regulatory bulletins, supplier emails) and automatically extract key metrics — carbon intensities, labour‐practice ratings, governance flags—then aligns them with relevant frameworks (CSRD, ISSB, GRI, etc.).

Beyond simple data aggregation, the AI agent leverages machine learning models to detect patterns and anomalies that might otherwise go unnoticed: for instance, flagging a sudden uptick in emissions from a particular supplier, predicting potential compliance gaps months ahead of a new regulation’s enforcement, or identifying which procurement categories contribute most heavily to Scope 3 risk. Because it continuously ingests fresh information — such as new shipment records, real‐time energy readings or updated supplier questionnaires — the agent can generate rolling forecasts of key ESG metrics (eg. forecasted emissions vs. SBTi targets) and automatically suggest corrective actions. 

On the reporting side, the agent can draft audit‐ready disclosures by mapping internal metrics to required reporting fields, generating graphs and narrative summaries that align with each jurisdiction’s guidelines. It can even answer “what‐if” queries in plain English — eg. “What will happen to our overall GHG inventory if we switch 40% of our fleet to electric vehicles by next quarter?” — and produce scenario analyses comparing carbon savings, cost impacts and compliance readiness. 

Finally, because the agent is continuously trained on the latest regulatory updates, peer benchmarks and climate science research, it proactively alerts stakeholders to emerging risks — such as a new carbon tax draft or rising water‐stress indicators in a key sourcing region — and recommends next steps (contract renegotiations, circular‐economy pilots, board‐level ESG presentations). In this way, the AI‐powered ESG agent transforms

sustainability from a periodic reporting exercise into a dynamic, predictive and collaborative process that keeps every decision maker, from procurement to the C-suite, aligned on compliance and long-term value creation. 

Greenly’s next chapter is driven by ambitious, measurable goals: reaching 10,000 clients, managing one billion tonnes of CO₂ and establishing ourselves as the “SAP of climate” – the global gold standard for carbon accounting. To achieve this, we’re doubling down on innovation within the Climate Suite, embedding advanced AI modules that not only automate data ingestion and emissions forecasting but also deliver prescriptive insights — guiding clients on the most effective reduction pathways in real time. 

We’re also expanding our API ecosystem so that any ERP, procurement tool, or sustainability‐focused app can plug directly into Climate Suite, creating an open climate‐tech network where data and best practices flow freely. Behind the scenes, we’re bolstering our Climate Advisory team to support a rapidly growing client base with tailored, sector‐specific consulting. By combining AI‐driven automation, a truly global presence and an extensible ecosystem of integrations and services, Greenly is positioning itself not just to meet but to exceed these milestones, ultimately becoming the de facto platform that organisations worldwide rely on to navigate an ever-evolving climate landscape. 

What are your main messages to business leaders and policymakers? 

For business leaders, the imperative is clear: climate transparency can no longer be treated as a peripheral ESG checkbox — it must become a strategic cornerstone of every decision you make. 

The best time to begin is today; waiting for perfect data or ideal solutions only delays progress. Instead, focus on establishing transparent measurement processes, setting incremental targets and iterating as you learn. By embracing continuous improvement — rather than holding out for flawless accuracy — you unlock immediate benefits in risk management, operational efficiency and stakeholder trust.

For policymakers, the most impactful step is to create a stable, unambiguous framework that both encourages and rewards corporate decarbonisation efforts. Clear regulations, consistent reporting requirements and targeted incentives will give businesses the confidence to invest in long‐term sustainability initiatives. Crucially, SMEs need tailored support — whether through subsidised advisory services, streamlined compliance pathways or direct financial incentives — to ensure they are not left behind. After all, broad‐based decarbonisation hinges on empowering every link in the value chain, not just the largest enterprises.