What Category A means in practice
Category A typically covers larger companies with material Scope 3 footprints. Under v2 that means closer attention to the categories that dominate your emissions, more supplier specific data, and evidence that holds up under third party assurance.
The good news is the work is more sequential than it first looks. You do not need perfect data on day one. You need decision useful coverage of the right categories and a credible plan for the rest.
From broad reporting to targeted evidence
Old way
Top fifty suppliers, spend based averages everywhere else, annual snapshots and a static reporting deck.
New way
Verified data on the suppliers that matter, documented method for the long tail, and an evidence pack ready for assurance.
Where Category A teams usually start
- Confirm category and the Scope 3 categories that drive the footprint.
- Pull existing supplier disclosures and public data before any new surveys.
- Engage the highest impact suppliers for primary data, with clear, light asks.
- Stand up the evidence pack: method notes, version history, source documents.
- Map the transition plan to procurement levers and live sourcing decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Am I a Category A company?+
Category A typically covers larger companies with meaningful supply chain emissions and the resources to deliver on stronger expectations. The Impact Checker uses your size and category answers to confirm which bucket you sit in.
How is Category A different from Category B?+
Category A faces more demanding expectations, especially on Scope 3 supplier data, evidence and transition planning. Category B follows a lighter path that fits smaller companies and parts of the supply chain.
What should Category A companies prioritise first?+
Lock in the Scope 3 categories that dominate your footprint, get supplier specific data flowing for the highest impact suppliers, and start building the evidence pack early. The action plan lays out a sensible order.
Do existing SBTi targets still count under v2?+
Existing targets remain valid through their current cycle. The shift comes at renewal, when v2 expectations apply. The diagnostic shows how soon that lands for your company.
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