In today’s fragmented reporting landscape, suppliers are often asked to provide emissions and deforestation data in multiple formats, using varying methodologies, for different retailers—creating inefficiencies, duplications, and confusion. This lack of standardisation not only places a burden on suppliers, but also limits the quality and usefulness of the data that’s collected.
To address this challenge, a Retail Taskforce has developed the Common Data Framework (CDF), which will now be managed and supported by the Coalition. This new framework designed to promote alignment on the collection and reporting of emissions and deforestation data across global value chains.
The CDF focuses on the most critical areas for climate and nature impact: Scope 3 Category 1 emissions and deforestation-and conversion-free (DCF) sourcing. It provides a practical roadmap for retailers and suppliers alike, outlining:
By aligning leading retailers around common expectations, the Common Data Framework helps improve data quality, ease the reporting burden for suppliers, and unlock faster, more coordinated decarbonisation and nature protection across global value chains.
The Common Data Framework is designed to be a practical guide—not a prescription. Retailers can use it to simplify and align their data requests with suppliers, focusing on the most critical climate and nature use cases: Scope 3 Category 1 emissions and deforestation- and conversion-free sourcing.
Rather than creating a new system or duplicating existing efforts, the Framework supports alignment with voluntary commitments, evolving regulations, and commercial needs. It’s a starting point for smarter, more consistent data practices—not a one-size-fits-all solution.
This is the first version of the Framework, developed with industry input, and it will continue to evolve as adoption grows. Retailers are encouraged to treat it as a living guide—one that reduces complexity, not adds to it, and supports better data, not more of it.
Download the Common Data Framework Principles to find out more about the correct day to use it.
While basic data tracking can be managed internally or via one-off studies, more advanced emissions reporting—such as Scope 3 Category 1 and Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data—requires scalable, reliable data partnerships. Choosing the right partner is a strategic step toward better data quality, supplier engagement, and traceability.
To guide this process, the Towards Net Zero Coalition, working in collaboration with the Data Driven Value Chain (DDVC) Industry Solutions Team, has defined four key criteria for evaluating data platform partners:
By aligning around these principles, retailers can implement the Common Data Framework more effectively—lightening the load for suppliers and accelerating industry-wide progress.
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