Online grocer Thrive Market, which has amassed 1.7 million members since launching in 2014, is the latest retailer to tackle indirect emissions by helping its suppliers to decarbonize. Thrive’s Climate Action Working Group provides discounted access to measurement tools, educational webinars and case studies to help the more than 1,000 brands on its platform reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut plastic waste. The working group’s offerings will support Thrive in its goal to have suppliers representing 67 percent of emissions from key Scope 3 categories set science-based targets by 2030. The company is currently at 30 percent coverage, said Head of Mission Kristin DeSimone. Thrive’s website features bigger-name sustainable brands, including Seventh Generation, alongside products from smaller companies that may not employ a dedicated sustainability professional, said DeSimone. “A lot of these folks are intimidated by even just starting to measure a footprint,” she added. Carrots, not sticks To help those suppliers begin their sustainability journeys, Thrive is collaborating with three other organizations: carbon accounting partner Planet FWD, plastic waste specialist PCX Markets and Climate Positive Consulting, which focuses on decarbonization strategies. During last week’s inaugural webinar, Planet FWD walked brands through the basics of emissions measurement. “We’re not asking them to do anything perfect,” said DeSimone. “We’re just asking them to start.” The working group is focused on incentives and won’t punish suppliers that fail to set science-based targets. Some other companies have opted to use both carrots and sticks: Salesforce provides educational resources to suppliers while also using…
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