With Scope 3 emissions increasingly high on the business agenda, the 4th Annual Scope 3 Summit 2026 took place at the right time. The conference, which was held on 14–15 April 2026 in Berlin, Germany, gathered senior leaders from sustainability, procurement, finance, operations, reporting, and supply chain. Discussions included the way in which companies can enhance Scope 3 reporting, improve carbon accounting, equip themselves for CSRD, and lead measurable reductions across their value chains. The agenda also focused on supplier collaboration, product carbon footprints, lifecycle data, and execution on the ground.

Why Scope 3 Is Now a Business Priority

Scope 3 emissions represent the largest proportion of total emissions for many companies. But they are also the most difficult to control because they reside within suppliers, logistics, customers, and investments. Today, that means tougher systems, more accountability, and better data for business. Expectations are rising due to regulations, too. Therefore, Scope 3 is no longer a sideline issue. It’s becoming core in strategy, reporting, procurement, and long-term resilience.

Day One Highlights: From Data Quality to Supplier Decarbonization

The first‐day sessions covered topics such as supplier data and procurement leadership, reporting readiness, product footprints, and developing market frameworks. Speakers discussed how enterprises are going beyond estimates and constructing real-world systems that enable action. In addition, a number of sessions looked at how an organization can better align teams internally while also driving greater collaboration across the external value chains.

Driving Business Resilience Through Environmental Supply Chain Data

Ariane COULOMBE
Market Director for EMEA
CDP

Ariane COULOMBE kicked off the summit by presenting the impact of environmental supply chain data on reinforcing resilience and enabling growth. She demonstrated how the top companies are leveraging transparency to gain a deeper understanding of supplier risk, make better decisions, and respond more quickly to disruption in the market. Supplier engagement was portrayed as a business opportunity instead of as a compliance exercise. Attendees also identified data quality as the enabler to future-proof value chains in an unpredictable economic climate. The sentiment was clear from top to bottom: better environmental data equals better business performance.

Building Joint Ownership of Scope 3

Anja RINN
Global Sustainable Procurement Manager
Holcim

Anja RINN singled out a shared problem in the management of Scope 3: a lack of clarity on who owns it within an organization’s multiple departments. She noted that sourcing teams require the right tools to evaluate carbon impact alongside cost and quality in their sourcing decisions. She also stressed the importance of having escalation routes when sustainability objectives clash with activity priorities. Furthermore, cross-functional roadmaps were mentioned as a vehicle to foster accountability and visibility. Furthermore, shifts in a company’s product portfolio toward lower-carbon products were presented as a significant downstream option for companies that want to demonstrate emissions cuts.

Competitiveness, Carbon Data, and Operating Models

Christian HEINRICH
CEO
Carbmee GmbH

Christian HEINRICH illustrated how business could be environmentally innovative and at the same time competitive. Moreover, supplier-level visibility, emissions hotspot analysis, and the emergence of dynamic product carbon footprints were among the topics he discussed during the session. In addition, he reviewed financial risk associated with ETS, CBAM, and embedded carbon in products. In this context, carbon accounting was introduced as a system of management that can inform decision-making in procurement, operations, and capital allocation. Instead of treating regulation as a burden, the session participants demonstrated how being prepared for compliance can be a competitive edge for forward-thinking companies.

Sustainable Procurement Through Collaboration

Giannis KOUROUSIAS
Global Head of Environmental Responsibility
Sanofi

Giannis KOUROUSIAS explained how sustainable procurement is better achieved by collaboration and not by mandates only. Furthermore, he described the fundamentals of stronger supplier relationships and the way ESG principles can be incorporated within purchasing processes. Moreover, the session covered a case study for practical application. The presenter described supplier engagement as a critical part of Scope 3 reduction strategies, especially in sectors where purchased goods and services create a large share of emissions. As a result, procurement became a key driver of business transformation.

Using Digital Tools for Carbon Management

Victoria McCormac
Sustainability Data Analyst
Jones Engineering

Victoria McCormac gave an insight into how Jones Engineering is leveraging digital platforms to track its carbon footprint. She explained the importance of Scope 3, particularly for an electrical and mechanical engineering contractor, where they can have significant purchased goods and services. Additionally, the presentation included a case study, today’s challenges, and future roadmap priorities. Better systems to transform fragmented data into information were also highlighted in the session. Digital tools were certainly portrayed as part of the backbone for scalable and dependable carbon management.

Carbon Credits and Integrity Rules in 2026

Dr. Jochen GASSNER
Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Removall Carbon
Removall Carbon

Dr. Jochen GASSNER focused on how companies can use carbon credits responsibly within corporate climate strategies. The session reviewed standards and frameworks linked to VCMI, ICVCM, and SBTi restrictions. It also explored governance changes across voluntary and compliance markets. In addition, attendees heard about project quality, project risk, and how stronger portfolios can be built through offsets and removals. Importantly, the discussion emphasized careful decision-making as expectations around integrity and credibility continue to rise across global markets.

Creating a Transparent Value Chain

Julia ELBERT
Director Supply Chain Performance Management
Evonik Industries AG

Christina MERZ
Senior Manager Sustainability at Procurement
Evonik Industries AG

Julia ELBERT and Christina MERZ discussed how transparent value chains depend on trusted product-level emissions data. Their session covered sharing product carbon footprint data at scale, improving supplier collaboration, and enabling stronger sourcing decisions. In addition, they explored logistics emissions tracking, traceability, and readiness for reporting requirements such as CSRD and PPWR. Connected digital data flows were also shown as a practical solution for future Scope 3 needs. Therefore, consistent/verifiable data was seen as a major competitive advantage.

What’s Next for SBTi and the GHG Protocol

Moderator: Caroline KENNEDY
Director, Head of Climate, Circularity & Reporting
Logitech

Panellists: Sahil AGGARWAL – Siemens Healthineers
                    Wolfgang EDEL – Brenntag SE
                    Elena STECCA – Zalando SE

This panel explored upcoming developments linked to the SBTi and the GHG Protocol. Because many businesses depend on these frameworks, future updates remain highly relevant. Furthermore, the discussion centered on changing expectations for Scope 3 accounting, target-setting, and reporting quality. In addition, panelists shared perspectives from healthcare, chemicals, retail, and consumer technology. That industry mix added practical context to the conversation. Overall, attendees gained useful insight into how standards may shape future climate strategies.

Turning Complexity Into Measurable Climate Impact

Jan SCHÜSSLER
Head of Contribution Sales Global
ClimatePartner

Jan SCHÜSSLER focused on turning complex climate challenges into measurable business action. He discussed supplier engagement programs designed to reduce emissions rather than simply collect data. In addition, he explained why renewable energy and high-integrity climate projects can complement in-value-chain reductions. The session also presented an integrated model that combines software, human expertise, and certified climate projects. As a result, companies were encouraged to build broader strategies that connect operational improvements with verified external climate contributions.

Nature-Based Solutions in the EU-CRCF Era

Rüdiger MEYER
Co-Founder & CEO
eva service GmbH

Rüdiger MEYER joined a fireside chat on scaling nature-based solutions in the EU-CRCF era. The discussion linked climate action with forest restoration and long-term resilience. In addition, the session explored how regional environmental projects can attract private capital and support voluntary corporate targets. Nature-based approaches were presented as one part of a wider sustainability strategy. Overall, the conversation showed growing interest in combining emissions reduction efforts with credible ecosystem-focused initiatives across Europe.

Day Two Highlights: Product Design, Operational Data, and Scalable Decisions

The second day shifted toward operational execution, product strategy, lifecycle assessment, financial modeling, and scalable decision-making. Many sessions focused on how organizations can convert emissions information into actions that influence sourcing, product development, customer engagement, and investment planning.

Designing for Sustainability as a Scope 3 Strategy

Caroline KENNEDY
Director, Head of Climate, Circularity & Reporting
Logitech

Caroline KENNEDY explained why Scope 3 is fundamentally a product design challenge for many companies. Drawing on Logitech’s experience, she described how lifecycle assessment and internal operating models can support sustainable design at scale. Moreover, the session also showed that product choices made early in development can influence downstream emissions outcomes later. In addition, attendees heard practical lessons that can apply across sectors. Therefore, design was positioned as a direct and strategic pathway to long-term Scope 3 reductions.

How AstraZeneca Uses LCAs to Drive Action

James CUNNINGHAM
Associate Director, Climate Strategy
AstraZeneca

James CUNNINGHAM provided an overview of AstraZeneca’s Scope 3 emissions and explained how lifecycle assessments are being used to improve reporting quality. Furthermore, he also discussed complementary tools that help prioritize action across the enterprise. In addition, the session connected better emissions data with wider decarbonization planning. Rather than treating LCA as a technical exercise alone, the presentation showed how it can support practical decision-making. Consequently, LCAs were presented as useful tools for both reporting and action.

Turning Product-Level Data Into Decisions

Moderator: Chrystelle VERHOEST
Senior Consultant Sustainability
Arcadis

Panelists: Stefan LÜBKE (Evonik), 

                  Giannis KOUROUSIAS (Sanofi), 

                  Emma FOOT (Arcadis), and 

                   Anja RINN (Holcim)

This panel focused on how businesses can turn product-level data into scalable decisions. Furthermore, speakers discussed the link between lifecycle management, procurement priorities, supplier collaboration, and operational choices. In addition, the conversation highlighted that data only creates value when teams can use it confidently. Product information was therefore presented as a strategic resource rather than a reporting exercise. Overall, the panel showed how stronger data can improve both sustainability outcomes and commercial decision-making.

Scope 3 in a Project-Based Industry

Dr. Marcus EHRENBERGER
Group Lead Sustainability Management
STRABAG

Johannes SCHATZ
Consultant Sustainability Management
STRABAG

Dr. Marcus EHRENBERGER and Johannes SCHATZ explained why project-based industries face different Scope 3 challenges than mass production sectors. They noted that not all reduction measures offer the same level of control or impact. In addition, customer engagement was highlighted as essential when building realistic pathways. Because project environments can vary widely, flexibility was also important. Overall, the session put light on the fact that sector-specific strategies are necessary when addressing emissions in construction and infrastructure businesses.

Estimating Supply Chain Emissions with Input-Output Data

Dr. Barbara KÖLBL
Senior Sustainability & Climate Economist
Rabobank

Dr. Barbara KÖLBL explained how financial institutions estimate emissions when companies do not report their data. She also showed how they use sector emissions data and environmentally extended multi-regional input-output models to estimate upstream and downstream Scope 3 emissions. At the same time, she also reviewed the limitations of this method. Therefore, the presentation balanced practicality with caution. It offered useful insight for businesses that rely on modeled emissions data during portfolio analysis.

Making Scope 3 Work in Practice

Wolfgang EDEL
Director Business Development Sustainability
Brenntag SE

Wolfgang EDEL explored why Scope 3 efforts often stall at the reporting stage. He discussed data quality gaps, the need for decision-relevant information, and the role of sourcing and portfolio steering. In addition, the session covered supplier engagement and customer interaction. Rather than focusing only on disclosures, the presentation emphasized operational execution. Consequently, attendees were encouraged to use carbon data in everyday business decisions. That approach can help turn reporting obligations into measurable commercial progress.

Evolving Scope 3 Accounting

Annika GORSKY
Senior Manager, Environmental Sustainability
Zalando SE

Annika GORSKY described Zalando’s move from a manual greenhouse gas inventory to a more automated and robust data architecture. She also discussed retailer-specific hurdles, including data gaps and the need for greater granularity across a complex value chain. In addition, the session shared successes, challenges, and lessons from that journey. Overall, the presentation showed that improving Scope 3 accounting is a long-term process. However, stronger systems can significantly improve confidence and efficiency over time.

Standardizing Value Chain Interventions

Luca CARBONARA
Senior Program Officer, Supply Chain Innovation
Verra

Luca CARBONARA focused on the lack of standardized accounting rules for value chain interventions. He explained how the S3S Program aims to certify interventions and issue units through standardized MRV systems. Public registry tracking and future development timelines were also discussed. In addition, the session addressed growing corporate demand for verifiable methods that support value chain reductions. As a result, the presentation highlighted an area of rapid development in the wider carbon market landscape

Sponsor Spotlight

The summit had amazing partners to assist companies in managing carbon data, enhancing climate strategies, and transitioning from reporting to impact. They represented increasing needs in sustainability and Scope 3 management for hands-on tools, expert advice, and scalable solutions.

ClimatePartner – Presenting Partner

ClimatePartner enables companies to actively reduce their CO2 emissions by providing a combination of software and expert consulting. Services range from estimating emissions, through reduction options, to supporting climate projects and transparently communicating progress. Headquartered in Munich, it was founded in 2006 and has served more than 6,000 companies worldwide. Its hybrid offering additionally supports organisations in navigating complexity, climate-related challenges, and aligning sustainability efforts with broader commercial objectives. This means businesses will be able to create more transparent and structured journeys for their long-term net-zero aspirations.

Removall – Presenting Partner

Removall sponsors, develops, and brings to market high-integrity certified carbon projects globally. The firm collaborates with businesses and organizations that wish to back ambitious climate goals through strong carbon credits and multiyear offtake agreements. It also gives access to an internationally curated list of project developers. In addition, Removall leverages project development, investment expertise, and market access to develop carbon programs tailored to operations and broader sustainability objectives. As a result, companies have more planning and credibility when it comes to buying carbon.

Carbmee – Presenting Partner

Carbmee aligns itself as a carbon management industry solution. The company enables companies to quantify, control, and mitigate emissions in areas where it has the most impact. Its Environmental Intelligence System acts as a system of record for carbon and other environmental data, akin to the way ERP systems cover finance and operations data. In addition, the solution connects to existing systems to simulate emissions, track supply chain impacts, and automate compliance processes. This means finance, procurement, and sustainability professionals can now track environmental performance with greater confidence and accuracy.

Eva Service GmbH – Presenting Partner

Eva Service GmbH is working on making climate protection for forests more affordable in economic terms through the sale of climate certificates. The enterprise converts private capital into nature protection to finance restoration, transformation, and the management of climate-resilient forests in Germany and throughout Europe. Companies that purchase EVA certificates can contribute to voluntary emissions goals by supporting regional climate protection projects. The model also links environmental impact to actionable financial solutions. As a result, companies are now able to take credible nature-based action closer to their markets.

Arcadis – Panelist Partner

Arcadis is a global partner delivering projects with businesses, cities, & industries with expertise in design, engineering, & consultancy. Having teams in over 30 countries, the company serves clients across the climate change, energy security, and livable cities agendas. In products and supply chains, Arcadis delivers services including product compliance, life cycle assessment (LCA), sustainability strategy, circular economy, and Net Zero roadmaps. As such, they can blend technical expertise and strategic management to enable the sustainable performance of the business.

Final Thoughts

The most powerful takeaway from the summit was that Scope 3 management is entering an execution new phase. Reporting is still essential, but businesses now require more robust systems, cleaner data, better supplier engagement, and practical reduction measures. Climate action is increasingly being driven by product design, sourcing decisions, and supply chain collaboration. At the same time, expectations are rising across sectors due to regulation and assurance demands. Companies that react early will find themselves better equipped to manage risk and seize opportunity. In general, the talks in Berlin demonstrated that meaningful progress requires converting knowledge into uniform, quantifiable efforts throughout the enterprise. If you want to attend such summits, make sure to check out what is in the pipeline this year!