ESG procurement has changed the rules: Airbus and Stellantis tie supplier awards to SBTi-validated climate targets, Scope 3 tracking, responsible sourcing, and third-party ratings from EcoVadis. For SMEs, the patchwork of templates, data asks, and buyer audits threatens pipeline—and survival.

The reality: ESG is now a tender gate

• Airbus stakes a 46% downstream CO₂ reduction by 2035 on supplier engagement via Scope 3 and SBTi (Airbus sustainability standards); IAEG EcoVadis is the standard for sector ESG reviews.
• Stellantis bakes carbon footprint, ethical sourcing, and supplier SBTi alignment into award tiers, with audits for compliance and follow-up plans.
• Both deploy product carbon footprint (PCF) calculators and require ongoing reporting—no more “one and done”.
• EcoVadis is the sector’s single window: shareable ratings, comparability, and improvement logs accepted by multiple OEMs and buyers.

These requirements overlap but don’t align natively. SMEs get stuck between audits, spreadsheets, and client questionnaires—while RFP cycles keep shrinking.

Breakdown: What procurement now asks for

• SBTi near-term targets: credible carbon reduction plans aligned with Science Based Targets standards, supplier enablement for Scope 3, and evidence ready for audit.
• Scope 3 accounting: product-level emissions data (cradle-to-gate for key parts) and year-over-year improvement curves.
• EcoVadis assessment: mapped policies, data, and corrective actions per risk/hotspot, shareable across customers.
• Responsible sourcing alignment: signed adherence to purchasing codes, IATF/CSR frameworks, and sector initiatives (IAEG for aerospace).

Often, a single gap—policy, data, or rating—is enough to become a “no bid” or be relegated to a non-preferred tier.

Why SMEs get lost (and lose deals)

• Each big client pushes a custom set of asks—SBTi documentation for one, EcoVadis evidence for another, PCF sheets for new bids—rarely with harmonized data fields.
• Most SMEs lack a master evidence pack and end up duplicating work across portals and emails.
• Scope 3 calculations require supplier-of-supplier data and method consistency, which is hard without templates and version control.
• Investment cycles don’t match RFP deadlines, so missing a single element boots you from competition.

That’s why a systematized master file and agile response kit are now must-haves.

Get RFP-ready: 90-day procurement checklist

1. Days 1–15: Map procurement asks for each client (Airbus, Stellantis, etc.), assign policy/data owners, group proofs per requirement.
2. Days 16–45: Baseline Scope 1-2 emissions, start PCF for at least 5 key parts, draft SBTi trajectory, analyze supplier data readiness.
3. Days 46–75: Finalize EcoVadis evidence, close quick-win actions, prepare corrective action plan for hotspots.
4. Days 76–90: Assemble a “ready-to-post” RFP pack: PCF sheets, EcoVadis card, policy book, data snapshots, and improvement logs.

What great looks like: your pack for buyers

• One-pager on ESG strategy, SBTi references, and supplier connection to reduction plan.
• PCF file per top part/component, with method, data sources, and improvement levers.
• EcoVadis scorecard and live corrective action plan, ready to share with multiple clients.
• Responsible purchasing/sector mapping sheet benchmarking your practices to RFP asks.

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Elia Go turns buyer “asks” into a shareable pack—PCF, EcoVadis, SBTi, supplier codes, and policies—aligned to the latest tender checklists.