Schaeffler, a global leader in automotive and industrial manufacturing, promotes sustainable motion technology with cutting-edge advancements in electric mobility, CO₂-efficient drives, Industry 4.0, and renewable energy. With a clear decarbonization strategy, which is supported by a holistic climate action plan, Schaeffler partnered with carbmee to improve emission transparency within its supply chain, aiming to achieve ambitious supply chain emission reductions.
Challenge: Managing Complex Emission Data at Scale
With more than 20,000 suppliers and over 200,000 purchased items, Schaeffler faced the challenge of accurately measuring Scope 3.1 emissions: a critical component of its corporate carbon footprint.
In addition, the recent merger with Vitesco Technologies is accelerating these challenges further, because two separate Scope 3.1 accounting systems need to be streamlined and harmonized.
Solution: Carbmee EIS™ for Effective Emission Transparency and Compliance
In a first test phase, Schaeffler deployed the Environmental Intelligence System carbmee EIS™, a comprehensive carbon management platform, to improve emission visibility and streamline supplier engagement. The next phase focuses on scaling this pilot and ensuring compliance via an external audit.
Partnering for Impact: First Results Delivered in Weeks
- over 200,000 purchased items analyzed
- >4 million transactions processed
- >20,000 suppliers integrated
- 75 purchasing categories assessed
Streamlined Supplier Engagement
As a starting point to a sophisticated supplier engagement program, Schaeffler provided an internal Reference Part Logic to tackle data complexity. This approach allows Schaeffler to gather emission data via Carbmee EISTM from suppliers with greater ease by focusing on a selected portfolio of purchased products.
Data collection is therefore significantly simplified, reducing the number of items Schaeffler requires its suppliers to review. This method accelerates supplier data collection and simplifies engagement leading to better response rates and higher data quality.
- 88% of emission data is activity-based, ensuring higher granularity and precision.
- Only 0.4% of suppliers account for 50% of total emissions, highlighting key areas for prioritization.
- Just 0.9% of items contribute to 50% of total emissions, enabling a focused and efficient reduction strategy.
Impact: Driving Emission Reduction and Setting the Stage for Long-Term Compliance
In cooperation with carbmee EIS™, Schaeffler has successfully piloted a project achieving significant milestones:
- Calculated supply chain emissions at scale and at appropriate data granularity: Successful pilot to improve Schaeffler’s transparency of Scope 3.1 emissions by increasing the share of physicalized items – an achievement made possible with AI-driven technology.
- Streamlined supplier data collection: Promising concept developed to create a foundation for effective collaboration with suppliers. The reference part logic has streamlined data management, supporting both Schaeffler and its suppliers in gathering precise, actionable insights.
- Aligned with ambitious sustainability goals: Schaeffler’s ambitious commitment to reduce its Scope 3.1 emissions aligns with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) standards. Schaeffler aims to consistently track its continuous emission reduction progress, leveraging a robust data framework to guide it's journey toward sustainability.
Lessons for the Automotive Sector
Schaeffler’s experience illustrates the benefits of a tailored, data-driven approach to a Scope 3.1 carbon management:
- A purpose-built solution is critical for handling data at scale: Carbmee’s product, particularly our SCF module, is purpose-built for companies with complex supply chains, such as those in the automotive and industrial sector, offering the capability to process hundreds of thousands of data points at scale.
- Simplifying supply chain collaboration: A solution like carbmee EIS™ facilitates collaboration with suppliers, which is essential to drive emission data transparency.
- Automotive expertise: It is imperative to have a solution and a team that brings unmatched expertise in the automotive sector and is deeply familiar with the industry's unique challenges and opportunities.
Looking Ahead: A Vision for Sustainable Supply Chains
Schaeffler’s collaboration with carbmee helps to achieve a low-carbon future, with ongoing projects to enhance supplier collaboration, realize emission insights, report on CBAM and expand their global sustainability impact.
The objective of the next phase of Schaeffler’s collaboration with carbmee is to scale the successful pilot to create a compliant and externally audited accounting system for Scope 3.1 Purchased Goods and Services.