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Climate data reporting needs to be more joined-up to support net zero
Katie Coyne Contributing Editor
The green transition will require a clear picture of carbon emissions. Image: Artinun Prekmoung | Dreamstime.com
Emissions reporting is growing as the UK heads towards electrification, but the data collected needs to be more consistent, finds research from BEAMA, the trade association for energy infrastructure companies.
Accurate emissions data is needed to understand and support the work ahead for the UK’s transition to electric power.
While more organisations are collecting and reporting emissions data, they are using multiple frameworks and methodologies, meaning the data is not easily comparable.
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Many firms are using third parties to improve data quality and credibility, but this could also be adding to inconsistency.
The Connecting the Dots: Emissions Reporting Snapshot report found that some 59% of respondents in the electrification supply chain are already employing a third party, with 25% in the process of engaging a third party, and 9% not actively gathering data.
The report argues that as reporting becomes more widespread and different modes are used, creating consistency in the data becomes increasingly important. This is particularly true where the data is more difficult to discover, such as under Scope 3.
Transition is essential
Yselkla Farmer, BEAMA CEO, said: “The transition to a low-carbon economy is not optional; it is essential. This urgency is amplified by the unprecedented supply chain growth required to enable electrification.
“Whether driven by regulation, market forces, or a combination of both, the shift towards decarbonisation and circularity must be underpinned by robust, reliable data.
She added: “Establishing a clear and consistent reporting approach across the supply chain is crucial as the demand for emissions data continues to grow.
“This snapshot not only reflects the current state of emissions reporting but also highlights the steps needed to support ongoing progress across industry and policy.”
The survey found that 84% of companies are likely to have data for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. These measure the carbon impact from assets a company directly owns, such as buildings, vehicles, and electricity.
However, only 66% of organisations had emissions data on one of the 15 categories within Scope 3, which measures indirect emissions across the supply chain, including products a company sells.
Scope 3 is much more challenging, requiring cooperation and consistency in reporting across the entire supply chain involving multiple parties.
Reporting challenges
Of those surveyed, 51% said the availability and quality of data was a challenge to effective emissions reporting. Some 26% cited the reporting complexity – including issues such as accuracy, volume, and inconsistency – as a challenge. A further 22% cited resource capability, including resources and budget needed, as a challenge to reporting.
While the vast majority of organisations surveyed (78%) had emissions targets in place, just 59% were publicly reporting them. A further 16% were developing emissions reduction targets.
More than half (54%) had a net-zero target of 2050, 12% had a 2030 deadline, 15% 2035, 8% 2040, and 12% had set no date.
It’s not clear why these organisations are not publicly reporting these targets, but the report speculates that it could be due to fear of being seen to be “greenwashing” or having “limited in-house capacity”.
The report was based on an online survey of BEAMA members conducted between December 2025 and March 2026, combining qualitative and quantitative data. It is the first in a series from BEAMA, and the next one will look at product lifecycle assessments.
