The Scope 3 Podcast

Narrative Matters

A podcast for business leaders looking to discover solutions, insights and best practice to address their Scope 3 emissions.

  1. Ep 50: Williams F1 and Neutreeno

    17H AGO

    Ep 50: Williams F1 and Neutreeno

    This episode features two very different conversations, but both land on the same core question: how do companies actually make Scope 3 decisions in the real world when cost, speed, suppliers, engineering, data quality, and commercial pressure all collide? First up, Ollie speaks with Amanda Martins, Head of Sustainability at Williams F1 Racing. Amanda brings a procurement and supply chain mindset into sustainability – and it completely changes the conversation. Instead of focusing purely on frameworks and reporting, she talks about supplier maturity, operational decision-making, multidisciplinary teams, and why sustainability teams need to add value rather than create noise. The discussion explores: What Scope 3 looks like inside a Formula 1 team Why procurement professionals are often best placed to drive decarbonisation The challenge of forecasting emissions in a hyper-fast-moving environment Supplier engagement in highly competitive and IP-sensitive industries Building teams capable of turning sustainability ambition into execution Why ‘getting sh*t done’ matters more than sustainability theatre Then, Tom sits down with Spencer Brennan, founder and CEO of Neutreeno, a Cambridge spinout using engineering intelligence to help companies reduce emissions and costs simultaneously. Spencer explains why industrial decarbonisation is being held back by a focus on reporting over action, and introduces the idea of “action-grade data”: information that is credible, scalable, and good enough to make real operational decisions quickly. That conversation covers: Why Scope 3 has become stuck as a reporting exercise The tension between speed and accuracy in emissions data The risks and limitations of AI-generated emissions modelling How manufacturers can reduce emissions through material and energy efficiency Why supplier engagement still remains one of the biggest blockers The commercial case for decarbonisation through performance, resilience, and cost reduction Elsewhere in the episode: Roee Goldberg from Atmospheric AI joins the show to discuss the Strait of Hormuz crisis and what it reveals about supply chain transparency, petrochemical pricing, resilience, and procurement intelligence. He has produced a fascinating paper on the subject, which is available here Ollie, Tom, and Dexter unpack the proposed GHG Protocol changes – and what a 95% Scope 3 reporting requirement could mean in practice The team also discuss the launch of the latest Scope 3 Tools Intelligence report, including the explosion of platforms, AI-driven risk tools, and the growing challenge of navigating the market If you work in procurement, sustainability, supply chain, carbon accounting, supplier engagement, or industrial decarbonisation – this episode is jam-packed with practical insight, honest discussion, and plenty of opinions. 🎧 Enjoy. And remember: all of our previous episodes are available online at www.scope3peergroup.com/podcast.

    1h 11m
  2. Ep 49: $20k for Scope 3? Not even close. Plus, insights from WAP Sustainability

    APR 22

    Ep 49: $20k for Scope 3? Not even close. Plus, insights from WAP Sustainability

    In this episode, Ollie, Tom and Dexter unpack a rapidly shifting landscape – from regulation and standards to the reality of making Scope 3 actually work in practice. They start by exploring what’s happening across the Scope 3 market right now: why regulation like CBAM – the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism – is starting to force real change and drive demand for primary data what the latest GHG Protocol updates mean in practice, including the push for 95% coverage and better data quality the emergence of new frameworks like the AIM Platform and what they signal about how companies will account for “real world” decarbonisation actions  the wave of market consolidation, including major moves from Makersite, SiGreen and Carbon Maps, as the tools landscape begins to mature They also reflect on new research showing a growing gap: companies are broadly on track for Scope 1 and 2, but still significantly off track on Scope 3 – with 2030 targets fast approaching. Then, it’s time to revisit the controversial figures coming out of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which suggest Scope 3 reporting could cost as little as $8,000-$20,000. The team dig into why those numbers don’t stack up in the real world, what might be driving them politically, and the risk of oversimplifying what Scope 3 really involves once companies move beyond basic reporting. Ollie catches up with environmental lawyer and former Navistar sustainability leader Chris Perzan, who gives a grounded, insider view of what’s really happening behind the CARB proposals. They explore how California has effectively become the centre of gravity for Scope 3 regulation in the US, why translating voluntary standards like the GHG Protocol into enforceable rules is so difficult, and the risk that companies default to easier, less accurate approaches like spend-based data. Chris also shares his perspective on the wider regulatory upheaval in the US, including major rollbacks in federal climate policy and what that could mean for companies trying to plan and hit their targets. In the second half, Tom sits down with William Paddock, founder of WAP Sustainability, for a deep dive into the reality of Scope 3 execution. This is a conversation about what actually breaks once companies move from reporting to action. William explains why “lower carbon” purchasing decisions often fail to show up in Scope 3 numbers, how disconnected tools and methodologies are creating confusion, and why he sees Scope 3 fundamentally as a data and structure problem. They get into the practicalities of supplier engagement – why most emissions sit with a relatively small number of suppliers, why companies underestimate how much data already exists, and why simply asking for it is often the biggest unlock. The discussion also challenges some of the prevailing narratives in sustainability, arguing that real progress often comes not from big, headline-grabbing innovations, but from better data, better accounting, and smarter procurement decisions. It’s another wide-ranging episode that moves from policy to practice, from theory to execution – and ultimately asks what it will take to turn Scope 3 from a reporting exercise into something that genuinely drives change. 🎧 Enjoy. And remember: all of our previous episodes are available online at www.scope3peergroup.com/podcast.

    1h 3m
  3. Ep 48: The Warehouse Group, PACT and RESET Carbon

    APR 8

    Ep 48: The Warehouse Group, PACT and RESET Carbon

    Ollie (broken rib et al), Tom and Dexter open episode 48 with a discussion on new developments from the California Air Resources Board around the Corporate Climate Data Accountability Act. A key point of debate is the estimated cost of Scope 3 reporting, quoted at $8,000–$20,000, which the hosts suggest is likely understated and politically positioned to help legislation pass. It’s a chat that highlights the wide gap between basic reporting approaches and the far more resource-intensive work of supplier engagement and emissions reduction, alongside growing demand for clearer business cases tied to cost savings and resilience. Then, Izzy Farnsworth senior associate at PACT, joins the studio to introduce a new white paper focused on how companies can actually use product carbon footprint data. Rather than focusing on calculation, the work addresses the practical challenge of applying uneven, incomplete supplier data. The key shift is from asking whether data is ‘high quality’ to whether it’s ‘fit for purpose’, helping companies make better decisions with imperfect inputs. The white paper is being piloted throughout 2026, with the aim of embedding this approach into PACT’s methodology and broader infrastructure, which enables standardised exchange of product-level emissions data across supply chains. Phil Cumming then shares his perspective from leading sustainability at The Warehouse Group in New Zealand, drawing on a career that spans the London 2012 Olympics, Kingfisher and Marks & Spencer. He describes how around 90 percent of the company’s impact sits in the supply chain and outlines practical steps being taken, including a supplier carbon engagement programme covering around 300 suppliers and a sustainability-linked supply chain finance initiative with HSBC to incentivise action. He also reflects on New Zealand’s evolving regulatory landscape and the growing importance of peer collaboration, particularly in regions where capability gaps remain. A central theme of Phil’s interview is that many of the core challenges haven’t fundamentally changed. Supplier engagement remains the top priority, but there is still a lack of consensus on data, tools and methodologies. He argues that progress will not come from solution providers alone, but from peers working together to define shared principles and reduce fragmentation across the market. The episode then shifts to Liam Salter, CEO of RESET Carbon, which is part of the LRQA group,  a leading global assurance provider operating in over 150 countries. He focuses on what it actually takes to deliver decarbonisation inside supply chains across Asia. He explains that many companies arrive with ambitious targets but no clear plan, and that the biggest barrier is often the absence of a compelling commercial value proposition for suppliers. Without clear incentives linked to business outcomes, suppliers are unlikely to prioritise investment, even where returns are positive.🎧 Enjoy. And remember: all of our previous episodes are available online at www.scope3peergroup.com/podcast.

    1h 27m
  4. Ep 47: Howorth Group and Carbon Maps

    MAR 25

    Ep 47: Howorth Group and Carbon Maps

    This episode pulls together two sides of the same story – the people asking for change in supply chains, and the people actually being asked to deliver it. Ollie, Tom and Dexter kick things off with a sharp reality check on why this work matters right now. With energy markets swinging wildly and geopolitical shocks rippling through global supply chains, the conversation shifts from long-term targets to immediate business risk – and the uncomfortable truth that most of that risk sits far beyond your own operations. From there, the episode splits into two perspectives: What does this actually look like when you’re a supplier on the receiving end of all those requests? Ollie chats to  John Hale, Chief People and Excellence Officer at Howorth Group, who gives a refreshingly honest account of what it takes for an SME to step into this space – without a sustainability team, without endless resources, and often without a clear roadmap. A few standout themes: The shift from ‘doing the right thing’ to embedding it into core business strategy The reality of being asked for more and more data – and figuring it out as you go Why SMEs are still underrepresented in the conversation (and why that matters) The importance of human engagement over endless surveys And a brutally practical truth: most suppliers are still just trying to make it work with what they’ve got There’s also a clear message for large organisations:  If you want better data and faster progress, simplify the ask, align with peers, and invest in real supplier relationships, not just platforms. The second half goes deep into a different challenge: even when you have the data… are you actually using it to change anything? Tom chats to Patrick Asdaghi, CEO and Co-Founder of Carbon Maps, who makes it clear – reporting isn’t the problem anymore. The real unlock is making environmental data granular enough to reflect real supply chains, operational enough to influence procurement and R&D, and ultimately, important enough to sit alongside cost in decision-making. We explore: Why most tools stop at reporting – and why that’s not enough How product-level modelling reveals opportunities you simply can’t see otherwise What happens when you treat environmental impact like a financial variable And why the future might look a lot like nutrition labels, but for environmental impact The big idea: The companies that win won’t just measure impact – they’ll design it out of their products and supply chains. Links & mentions Carbon Maps Clean Heat Program Dexter Galvin’s analysis on energy risk in supply chains. 🎧 Enjoy. And remember: all of our previous episodes are available online at www.scope3peergroup.com/podcast.

    1h 17m
  5. Ep 46: VITA Group and Foodsteps

    MAR 11

    Ep 46: VITA Group and Foodsteps

    Fresh from his time on the slopes, Dexter is back with his fellow hosts Ollie and Tom to explore how businesses are moving from measurement to real transformation across their value chains. First, Ollie speaks with the team at The Vita Group, a global manufacturer of polyurethane foam used in everything from mattresses to car seats. Natalie Watson (Group Director of Sustainability), Georgie Taylor (Group Sustainability Manager) and Mike Murray (Global Leader in Sustainable Innovation) share how sustainability, procurement and innovation teams are working together to rethink materials, redesign products and build circular supply chains. The conversation reveals how data, supplier partnerships and bold innovation can turn environmental challenges into commercial opportunities. Then, Tom speaks with Anya Doherty, founder and CEO of Foodsteps, about how better environmental data can transform decision-making in the food industry. From ingredient-level analysis to supplier engagement, Food Steps is helping major food companies understand the impact of what they produce – and how small changes in recipes and sourcing can deliver significant reductions. Elsewhere on the episode, there’s chatter about: Why data quality is becoming critical as sustainability budgets face scrutiny The growing importance of supplier engagement and product-level insights Debates around product footprinting and why some practitioners are pushing back on criticism of PCFs New initiatives helping suppliers learn how to calculate product footprints Oh, and why the popularity of the Scope 3 Podcast is on a par with niche hobbyist favourite, The Caving Podcast.🎧 Enjoy. And remember: all of our previous episodes are available online at www.scope3peergroup.com/podcast.

    1h 25m
  6. Ep 45: STARK Group and Perennial

    FEB 25

    Ep 45: STARK Group and Perennial

    This time on the Scope 3 Podcast: 🔹 Rikke Christensen, director of sustainable sourcing at STARK Group on what real supplier engagement looks like when you stop talking about it and actually bring suppliers into the room. From pharma to construction, Rikke shares 12 years of Scope 3 lessons, including: why she once hated carbon footprints how to find the right person inside a supplier why procurement + sales + sustainability need to be on the same call 🔹 Jack Roswell, co-founder and CEO at Perennial on measuring soil carbon properly. We talk MRV, digital soil mapping, removals vs abatement, the Land Sector Removal Standard (LSRS), and Perennial’s work with Vital Farms, Bayer and Verra’s Scope 3 pilot. Plus, Ollie and Tom (sans Dexter this time, as he’s hit the slopes with the family) chat: Worldly’s expansion into CPG Ditch Carbon’s new tool, climatemate.io FCA proposals on Scope 3 reporting Investor scrutiny of carbon data If you work in Scope 3, food, agriculture, construction, or supplier engagement – this one’s packed with specifics. 🎧 Enjoy. And remember: all of our previous episodes are available online at www.scope3peergroup.com/podcast.

    1h 9m
  7. Ep 44: What happened at the London Scope 3 Strategy Days

    FEB 11

    Ep 44: What happened at the London Scope 3 Strategy Days

    Recorded live at the 2026 Scope 3 Peer Group Strategy Days in London, this episode is all about action. Ollie, Tom and Dexter reflect on all the big moments, presentations, stories and insights. We hear from some of the people actually getting things done inside large organisations – from renewable electricity deals and supplier engagement to commercial innovation and tough procurement calls. Peer of the Year, Chris Low from Haleon shares how market-based mechanisms could drive serious emissions reductions at scale. Willem Mutsaerts from Givaudan talks about why aligning procurement and sustainability under one leader changes everything. Amazing Scope 3-ers from Mars, AstraZeneca, NatWest and others unpack what’s working – and where it’s still hard. And in a wide-ranging conversation with Lewis Howard, co-founder of Brae, we explore why procurement shouldn’t be turned into climate scientists; how to translate sustainability into negotiation tactics; and why the next five years will be about implementation, not target-setting There’s a big theme running through this episode: courage. Courage to move before everything is perfect. Courage to tie decarbonisation to commercial value. Courage to challenge suppliers – and sometimes walk away. Plus: Why renewable energy keeps coming up as the obvious lever Whether product carbon footprints are worth the effort How tools and AI are reshaping the market And what it will take to bring the “middle tier” up to the level of the leaders For those of you who made it to London, you’re going to love this episode. For everybody else, this is your chance to check on who’s leading the Scope 3 charge, why, how and what you can do to keep up.🎧 Enjoy. And remember: all of our previous episodes are available online at www.scope3peergroup.com/podcast.

    1h 29m
  8. Ep 43: Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative and Electricity Maps

    JAN 28

    Ep 43: Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative and Electricity Maps

    In this episode of the Scope 3 Podcast, Ollie, Tom and Dexter take stock of where Scope 3 really is right now – what’s changed, what hasn’t, and why many organisations feel a growing pressure to move from counting emissions to actually cutting them. Drawing on fresh insight from the Scope 3 Peer Group, the conversation explores how expectations are shifting: away from data foundations and broad supplier engagement, and towards targeted action, business cases, and measurable reductions embedded in procurement. Together, they cover: Why turning data into supplier action has overtaken data collection as the number one challenge What’s changed in the last 12 months The move from involving procurement to expecting procurement to own Scope 3 delivery Why business cases now matter more than case studies How credibility, proof of reductions and standards confusion are shaping decision-making Why 2026 is shaping up to be the year of 'less counting, more cutting' Then, Ollie is joined by Bridget Ferrari from Takeda and Devin Carsdale from Bristol Myers Squibb to go inside the work of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI). They explore what large-scale collaboration actually looks like in practice, including: How pharma companies are aligning around common asks without overwhelming suppliers What it really takes to run collective decarbonisation programmes at scale Why maturity-based supplier engagement matters How commercial signals – contracts, incentives and procurement leadership – drive change Finally, Tom is joined by the brilliant Olivier Corradi, founder of Electricity Maps, to explore how electricity data is reshaping climate action. They discuss: Why annual averages hide the real impact of electricity emissions How hourly, location-based data changes decisions and enables real reductions The role electricity plays in both Scope 2 and Scope 3 – especially through cloud, data and digital services How companies like Google are using electricity data to shift load, reduce emissions and cut costs Why the energy transition is simpler than we often make it – at least up to 70–80% renewables Enjoy. And remember: all episodes are available at www.scope3peergroup.com/podcast

    1h 9m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A podcast for business leaders looking to discover solutions, insights and best practice to address their Scope 3 emissions.

Information

  • Creator
    Narrative Matters
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Narrative Matters
  • Show Website
    The Scope 3 Podcast

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