Beta Scope 3 Claim

The road-testing allows us to ensure the beta Scope 3 Claim is practical, effective, and feasible for companies to implement. By involving businesses in real-world testing, we aim to refine the Claim’s methodology, guardrails, and technical requirements, making it more robust and tailored to the challenges companies face in reducing scope 3 emissions. It also helps ensure that the final Claim drives genuine and meaningful climate action.

Participating companies will test the beta Scope 3 Claim by applying the methodology and reporting back on its effectiveness and challenges. 

The process will involve:

• From November 12 – December 3, weekly 60-minute meetings to review the beta Scope 3 Claim guidance step-by-step and address ‘trial’ implementation questions or challenges;
• Optional Weekly office hours (2hrs/week) available to companies as extra ongoing support, to clarify specific questions and to provide feedback on the road-testing; and
• Shared repository to collaborate outside meetings via shared documents (e.g. SharePoint).

VCMI and WBCSD will set up a ‘technical group’ that will design and lead the road-testing work. The ‘technical group’ will include VCMI, WBCSD and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as ‘knowledge partner’. BCG, in coordination with WBCSD, will keep members informed regarding meeting logistics and any ad hoc issues.

WBCSD and VCMI expect members to demonstrate their commitment to credible climate action, contributing to high-integrity voluntary carbon markets, as part of their broader climate strategies. 

Participating companies are expected to: 

1. Participate in peer exchange: sharing information and knowledge with others.
2. Engage in professional and constructive relationships with the other members.
3. Be open to collaboration with other “road testing” members.
4. Ensure the confidentiality of all participating members, by committing to non-disclosure of company names in any reports, publications, or communications, without prior written consent from members.
5. Communicate about collaborations only when this is agreed amongst all parties. All information shared within the working group will be handled with confidentiality and will not be shared outside the group without prior consent from members. 
6. Refrain from making misleading or false statements about the nature or impacts of the organisation’s own system, about the “road testing” program, or about VCMI.
7. Agree to Chatham House Rule and to maintain the confidentiality of all meetings, discussions, and associated materials.

The road-test is open to organizations with ambitious climate strategies for decarbonization across all scopes but are facing challenges in making progress against scope 3 value chain emissions reductions. More on membership here.

Participants will help influence the final design of the Scope 3 Claim and ensure it meets real-world corporate challenges addressing scope 3 emissions reductions. Companies will also benefit from peer collaboration, networking opportunities, and support from VCMI and our partners throughout the process.

No, the individual results and data shared by participating companies will remain confidential. The feedback gathered will be used in aggregate to inform the final version of the Scope 3 Claim. Only general insights and lessons learned will be published in a final report, and companies’ participation will not be disclosed without their consent.

The road-testing will last approximately 3 weeks, beginning November 12 to December 3. The insights gathered will be used to make refinements to the beta Scope 3 Claim, with the final version expected to be released in Q1 2025.