Assess the ESG maturity of third-party partners to optimize your carbon footprint

Recent data reveals significant disparities in how organizations approach ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices. According to a study by Insee, 44% of companies engaged in ESG require their partners to comply with a set of specifications that include ESG clauses. In contrast, only 12% of companies not involved in ESG impose such requirements on their third parties.

A study conducted by Bpifrance shows that 78% of suppliers surveyed are questioned by their clients on environmental and social issues. This demand varies by company size: 50% of very small businesses (VSBs), 82% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and 91% of mid-sized companies (MSCs) report such client expectations.

According to a study by Altares, only 39% of companies evaluate their partners based on ESG performance. The main barrier to developing ESG strategies remains the lack of standardized data and leadership on the topic. It is crucial to note that 70% of a company’s ESG impact comes from the activities of its external partners, highlighting the importance of giving them focused attention.

Modern TPGRC (Third Party Governance & Risk Compliance) platforms are radically transforming the traditional approach to maturity assessment. These tools efficiently orchestrate the entire process by connecting directly to global ESG and sustainability databases — including Ecovadis, Dun & Bradstreet ESG, and SBTi — to deliver an initial automated assessment.

Centralizing and Automating ESG Data

Advanced technologies go beyond basic data collection by automating the verification of forms and documents provided by your partners. This approach gives you a clear and comprehensive view of their ESG commitment level:

• Centralized information: Automatic integration into your non-financial reporting
• Multi-criteria analysis: Based on both internal and external sources, including industry-leading ESG ratings and scores
• Proactive identification: Detection of environmental improvement opportunities via real-time dashboards and tracking indicators
• Simplified collection: Easy retrieval of ESG data from a single centralized platform
• Optimized management: Quick identification of non-compliant partners and implementation of targeted action plans
• Ongoing monitoring: Continuous tracking with automated alerts and complete visibility

Adopting an automated and integrated third-party governance solution enables greater efficiency and compliance while driving continuous improvement across your partner ecosystem. This collaborative approach simplifies ESG data sharing and reduces the administrative burden on your partners.

Automated systems allow for centralized ESG data, enabling optimized sustainable performance. To explore the core features of these evaluation tools, read our analysis on ESG data centralization for sustainable performance.

Assessing the ESG maturity of third-party partners is a key strategic lever to optimize your carbon footprint and strengthen your competitive positioning. By adopting an automated and collaborative approach, you turn regulatory constraints into operational advantages, while actively contributing to your industry’s ecological transition goals.

This strategic shift requires specialized expertise and tailored tools to maximize the impact of your ESG approach, all while accounting for the specific characteristics of your partner ecosystem.