Project Background

Salesforce has committed that by 2024 suppliers representing 60% of applicable scope 3 emissions will set science-based targets (SBTs) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Salesforce additionally includes in its supplier contracts a Sustainability Exhibit: a set of contract provisions that introduces binding climate obligations, such as disclosing emissions, delivering carbon neutral products and services, and setting science-based targets.

As a leading service provider in the SME carbon accounting and net zero strategy space, RyeStrategy was ideally positioned to provide Salesforce with a cost-effective solution and expertly guide its SME vendors through the GHG inventory process.

RyeStrategy’s approach is well-suited to SMEs, who are often coming into the process with limited resources and experience. For each vendor, the engagement was kicked-off with a meeting to clearly lay out the inventory process and set expectations. Over the next six to eight weeks, each participant worked closely with RyeStrategy to collaboratively collect all data needed for their inventory. Throughout the process, RyeStrategy maintained confidentiality commitments with each participant.

At the end of the Accelerator, RyeStrategy provided each vendor with a summary report of their inventory, complemented by tailored recommendations on emissions mitigation strategies. Vendors could also choose to contract directly with RyeStrategy for additional services outside of the Accelerator program, such as a tailored carbon offset portfolio, carbon neutral certification, and guidance on marketing, reporting, and target setting. 

In addition to working individually with participants, RyeStrategy

By setting ambitious expectations, engaging strategically with suppliers, and elevating sustainability in its purchasing decisions, Salesforce aims to create a cascade of impact in its value chain and beyond. RyeStrategy is proud to be a partner to Salesforce in accelerating global progress towards net zero. 

“RyeStrategy understood what we wanted to deliver and followed through with a reliable, approachable process for our SME vendors that was time and cost effective for us, too.”

Louisa McGuirk, Senior Manager, Sustainable Procurement, Salesforce

“As Salesforce strives to accelerate global progress to net zero, our goal is to bring our suppliers along on that journey. We want to be sure we’re doing so in an inclusive way that supports small and diverse businesses in meeting our ambitious expectations. Our Sustainability Accelerator is one step toward aligning our equality and sustainability values with an inclusive approach to supply chain decarbonization that works at scale to advance SMEs on this journey,” shared Louisa McGuirk, Senior Manager, Sustainable Procurement at Salesforce.

With leaner operations and tighter budgets, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) typically have limited internal resources available to effectively strategize, manage, and achieve net zero goals. As sustainability grows as a business imperative, Salesforce wants to help ensure that small and diverse businesses are

equipped to build their climate resilience and meet the increasing expectations of customers and other stakeholders. 

To that end, in 2022, Salesforce developed and delivered a six-month Sustainability Accelerator program to a cohort of SME suppliers, which was designed to help them make progress towards net zero and meet Salesforce’s sustainability requirements. The program was organized around four virtual workshops, each accompanied by self-guided resources and activities. Salesforce also determined that to maximize the tangible outcomes of the program, it would cover the cost for participants to complete a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory, which is a critical step on the net zero journey. Salesforce needed a partner who had expertise working with small businesses and could deliver a supportive, accurate, and affordable GHG inventory product. 

We’re excited to incorporate the lessons learned from our work on the Salesforce Accelerator into our new Supply Chain Decarbonization offering. You can learn more about this below. Some of the key findings that are relevant to companies looking to similarly engage with their SME suppliers include: 

Achieving Vendor Engagement Results

With proposed legislation such as the SEC’s Climate Disclosure Rule and the State of California’s Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, as well as supplier-oriented mandate initiatives from programs like CDP and SBTi, major enterprises are under more pressure than ever to meaningfully direct their supply chains toward a net zero future. Accounting for nearly half the U.S. GDP, SMEs in particular represent a significant portion of supply chain emissions, yet the majority have not calculated a GHG inventory or begun the decarbonization process due to bandwidth limitations. For the SME suppliers who do report emissions their results are frequently incorrect, often as a result of improperly utilized self-service calculators, ultimately making the data unusable by their corporate customers. According to a recent survey of SBTi respondents, the majority of organizations are concerned by both a lack of supplier-specific emissions data and the poor quality of what is currently available.

Major enterprises require a solution for their SME and large suppliers alike that is customizable and supportive, while enabling highly

All vendors responding to the post-Accelerator survey agreed that the program helped prepare them to strategize and implement emissions reduction activities, set science-based targets, and engage with stakeholders on sustainability. Most found the GHG inventory to be an especially impactful component with 88% reporting that they will likely use the GHG inventory to strategize carbon reduction activities. In addition to all vendors completing their GHG inventory, the most engaged participants also went carbon neutral by purchasing carbon credits with RyeStrategy’s guidance, and some have already committed to refreshing their inventory in 2023. 

While the long term results of the Accelerator remain to be seen, the immediate results are clear: with RyeStrategy’s hands-on support, SMEs can get a jump start on their net zero journey. And by partnering with RyeStrategy, enterprises like Salesforce can support