The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), with support from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), has announced the launch of the Common Data Framework, which seeks to standardise how the consumer goods industry collects and reports data on emissions and deforestation.
According to the CGF, different metrics, formats and methodologies are hampering retailers in collating accurate and complete data, with the new framework offering common standards on Scope 3 category 1 emissions and deforestation- and conversion-free (DCF) sourcing.
This will ‘reduce the reporting burden on suppliers and enhance data quality’, it noted.
The new framework provides practical guidance on the most common use cases for emissions and deforestation data, required data granularity, validation methods, and internal KPIs.
‘Wide ranging challenges’
“Our industry faces wide ranging challenges and pressures,” commented Wai-Chan Chan, managing director of The Consumer Goods Forum.
“We are all looking for opportunities to future-proof supply chains, limit the risks of disruption, and ultimately drive growth. Our new Common Data Framework is one example of how the CGF supports our members’ through synchronising industry efforts and sharing best practices. This is a first step to tackling the widespread challenge of inefficient data collection and reporting, paving the way for systematic, industry-wide transformation.”
At a session at the CGF Global Summit in Amsterdam, taking place this week, leaders from PepsiCo Europe, Ahold Delhaize, DFI Retail Group and BCG discussed the challenges on the path to carbon neutrality, and highlighted the efforts that the CGF’s Climate Transition Coalition is making in driving practical, scalable solutions.
Data reporting
“Through close collaboration with the CGF’s global network of CEOs, the Climate Transition Coalition understands the challenges in data reporting from both the supplier and retailer perspectives,” commented Grant Sprick, VP, Climate & Environment, Ahold Delhaize, and co-chair of the CGF’s Climate Transition Coalition.
“We encourage all retailers to adopt the framework to help meet the growing landscape of regulations and voluntary commitments, while supporting their suppliers efficiently in sustainability goals, and we look forward to supporting our members and the wider industry in adopting these standards — and to collectively evolve as an industry.” Read more here.
