The Consumer Goods Forum Launches New Framework To Help the Industry Align on Emissions and Deforestation Data

• The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF)’s Climate Transition Coalition has launched the Common Data Framework, with the support of Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
  
• The new publication aims to reduce inefficiencies and align industry efforts in data collection and reporting, particularly around emissions and deforestation- and conversion-free (DCF) sourcing.

Different metrics, formats, and methodologies among retailers result in inefficiencies at best, and inaccurate and incomplete data at worst. To reduce the reporting burden on suppliers and enhance data quality, the framework offers retailers common standards on two critical topics:

• Scope 3 category 1 emissions 
• Deforestation- and conversion-free (DCF) sourcing 

The framework provides a transitional roadmap to meet users where they are, with clear guidance on:

• The most common use cases for emissions and deforestation data
• The level of granularity in reporting required to support each case
• Validating the data collected by retailers
• Key internal performance indicators to measure

The CGF hopes the new guide will help retailers provide more consistent data, scale up supplier engagement and improve traceability as their businesses grow.

Wai-Chan Chan, Managing Director of The Consumer Goods Forum, said:

“Our industry faces wide ranging challenges and pressures. 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.”

This launch marks only the beginning. The Coalition will continue to refine the framework and its guidance, identify opportunities to align supplier data requests, and connect with cross-industry platforms on data sharing, in collaboration with the CGF’s Data Driven Value Chain (DDVC) Team.

The Common Data Framework enables retailers to assess their current maturity on data reporting and to anchor their respective emissions and deforestation data collection to the framework’s common standard, already adopted by leading retailers. The Coalition also defines criteria for selecting the right data partner, including how retailers should assess potential partners’ technical foundation, methodology transparency, reporting and analytics capabilities, and commercial credentials.

Scott Price, CEO, DFI Retail, Group co-sponsor of the Climate Transition Coalition, said: 

“Collaborating with the CGF on the Common Data Framework enables us to help retailers and CPGs align and standardise data sharing, while also simplifying processes for our diverse and fragmented supplier base in Asia. In markets where suppliers often face resource constraints, the framework can help reduce administrative complexity and foster greater efficiency and collaboration. This would allow suppliers to prioritise growth and innovation, while providing retailers such as ourselves with decision-useful data to advance key use cases across our business.”

Grant Sprick, VP, Climate & Environment, Ahold Delhaize, and co-chair of the CGF’s Climate Transition Coalition, said: 

“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. 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.”

The framework was announced at the CGF’s Global Summit in Amsterdam during the “Climate Transition – Accelerating Emissions Reduction” session. The event brought together industry leaders to share progress and challenges on the path to carbon neutrality and to showcase how collective action through the Climate Transition Coalition is driving practical, scalable solutions.

Senior leaders speaking at the session included: 

• Archana Jagannathan, Chief Sustainability Officer, PepsiCo Europe
• Frans Muller, President & CEO, Ahold Delhaize
• Scott Price, Group Chief Executive, DFI Retail Group
• Shalini Unnikrishnan, Managing Director & Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group

The Common Data Framework is available for download as of today. 

Details about the CGF’s Climate Transition Coalition of Action are available at: https://www.theconsumergoodsforum.com/planet/climate-transition/.