We strive to build a diverse and responsible supply chain with the aim to maintain fairness and transparency with our suppliers.
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Scope 3 operational emissions
Our Scope 3 operational emissions have decreased by 47% since 2019. Supply chain emissions, which make up around 65% of our Scope 3 operational emissions, have fallen by 44% since 2019, driven by lower UK service industry emissions and changes in influenced spend(3), as we predominantly use spend-based methods. To sustain our momentum, we closely monitor year-on-year trends. We intend to continue driving supplier engagement by encouraging suppliers to make disclosures to CDP, to set science-based targets(4) and to adopt transparent transition plans up to 2030 and beyond.
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(2) Our operational emissions comprise greenhouse gas emissions Scopes 1, 2 and 3 (categories 1–14, excluding categories 8, 10 and 14) and does not include Scope 3 category 15 financed emissions. The reporting year runs from 1 October to 30 September
(3) Influenced spend refers to spend for purchased goods and services over which NatWest Group has direct control
(4) Science-based targets are emissions-reduction goals based on the latest climate science, ensuring the pace and scale of decarbonisation needed to keep global warming within internationally agreed temperature limits. They are self-reported by suppliers, and NatWest Group attributes a net-zero-aligned status to a supplier if they have a Scope 1, 2 and 3 science-based target.
(1) Supply chain emissions are Scope 3 categories 1 (Purchased Goods and Services), 2 (Capital Goods), and 4 (Upstream Transportation and Distribution).
(2) Contracted suppliers are vendors matched to a contract and managed by a Supply Chain Services Manager.
(3) EcoVadis valid scorecard data is from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.
(4) Supplier‑specific emissions data uses verified Scope 1, location‑based Scope 2 and upstream Scope 3 emissions reported by the supplier, rather than industry‑average emission factors applied by spend category or SCFs. SCF emissions are measured using activities typically involved in delivering a service, rather than allocating based on spend.
(5) We define net-zero-aligned suppliers as those with Scope 1, 2 and 3 science-based targets; partially aligned suppliers have either Scope 1 and 2 targets or a Scope 3 target only.
(6) For emissions from CDP disclosure to meet minimum requirements for inclusion in NatWest Group supply chain emissions calculations, suppliers’ Scope 1 and 2 data must be third-party verified or internally validated by NatWest Group to prevent year‑on‑year anomalies. Out of scope emissions relate to suppliers not included within the 2025 engagement process.
We introduced a new AI-powered sustainability risk tool that enables NatWest Group to proactively assess and manage supplier risks. It integrates multi-source data and risk modelling to heatmap suppliers, identify emerging risks, and enhance transparency supporting regulatory compliance
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NatWest Group received the Gold Award from the Office of the Small Business Commissioner under the Fair Payment Code, recognising our commitment to ethical business and SME support. The award is given to organisations that pay over 95% of invoices within 30 days.
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Read more about how we seek to promote and respect human rights through the continued implementation of policies and practices covering our colleagues, customers and suppliers.
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Read more about our ambition for a 70% reduction in Scope 1 and location-based Scope 2 emissions and a 50% reduction in Scope 3 operational emissions from applicable categories 1–14 by 2030, against a 2019 baseline, as well as our underlying progress.
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