Fixing Scope 3 with AI: Supplier Engagement, Data Accuracy, and Decarbonisation Levers

Send me a message In this week’s episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain Podcast, I sat down with fellow Irishman Paul Byrnes, CEO of Mavarick AI, to explore how manufacturers can use AI and data to tackle the notoriously difficult challenge of Scope 3 emissions. Paul brings a unique perspective, rooted in both deep data science and hands-on manufacturing experience, and he didn’t shy away from the hard truths: most companies still struggle with messy, unreliable data and limited supplier engagement. We unpack why primary data will soon become table stakes, why spend-based estimates can be 40% off the mark, and how engaging suppliers requires a simple but often overlooked question, what’s in it for them? We also discussed where AI genuinely moves the needle:Boosting confidence in data accuracy by identifying gaps and “contaminated” entriesProviding personalised training to help suppliers meet sustainability requestsUncovering and prioritising decarbonisation levers with clear ROI Paul shared real-world examples, from medical devices to automotive, that show how targeted projects, rather than trying to tackle all 15 Scope 3 categories at once, deliver the best results. We also touched on the environmental footprint of AI itself, energy, water, rare materials, and how responsible computing and smaller, purpose-built models can reduce the impact. For leaders wrestling with emissions strategy, Paul’s advice is simple: start by mapping your data landscape. Know where you’re rich, where you’re poor, and build from there. This is a practical, candid conversation about making sustainability and profitability work hand-in-hand, and why efficiency wins are so often sustainability wins. Elevate your brand with the ‘Sustainable Supply Chain’ podcast, the voice of supply chain sustainability. Last year, this podcast's episodes were downloaded over 113,000 times by senior supply chain executives around the world. Become a sponsor. Lead the conversation. Contact me for sponsorship opportunities and turn downloads into dialogues. Act today. Influence the future. Podcast supporters I"d like to sincerely thank this podcast"s generous Subscribers: Alicia Farag Kieran Ognev And remember you too can become a Sustainable Supply Chain+ subscriber - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one and give you access to the full back catalog of over 460 episodes. Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities: If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let"s talk! Finally If you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a text message using this link. If you liked this show, please don"t forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.