Telent has reduced the intensity of our supply chain emission as part of our commitment to Net Zero. Find out how we’re pushing forward with innovative tools, supplier engagement and support for MSMEs to achieve our goals.
Telent is committed to collaborating with our supply chain to create a more sustainable future for our business and the communities we serve. In 2023, we became one of the first telecommunications companies in the UK to have carbon reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This includes reducing the intensity of our supply chain emissions by 55 per cent by 2030, on a path to Net Zero. Through proactive supplier engagement, we have successfully reduced them by 38 per cent since FY20.
Tackling supply chain emissions
Like most companies in our sector, Scope 3 supply chain emissions contribute a significant portion of our overall carbon footprint. In fact, the products and services we procure account for 83 per cent of Telent’s emissions. While these are indirect and outside of our control, we take responsibility for having a positive impact by working to reduce them as much as possible, despite the challenges.
Since FY20, we’ve made notable progress and reduced their intensity 38 per cent, driven by a strategic focus on supplier engagement and transparency. By collaborating closely with key suppliers to measure and track their environmental performance, we've set clear targets to build a more sustainable supply chain. This includes increasing our spend with suppliers aligned to our carbon goals and growing the number of partners that can demonstrate progress through shared carbon performance data. This allows our teams and customers to make more informed decisions about the technology and services integrated into our solutions.
Pushing forward: the road to 55 per cent and beyond
Despite these significant strides, the journey to a 55 per cent reduction and ultimately Net Zero presents great challenges. Beyond better measurement and tracking, achieving these targets will require innovation and rethinking the way we design and deliver solutions. Collaboration with our customers will also be crucial in driving down emissions further, ensuring we can meet our shared sustainability goals.
We also recognise that supporting our Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprise (MSME) suppliers, who make up 70 per cent of our supply chain, is vital to reaching these targets. MSMEs often face greater challenges in tracking and reducing emissions due to limited resources and technical expertise.
As part of the 100 hours per year our Procurement team dedicates to supplier development activities, we will work closely with these suppliers to develop their sustainability capabilities, providing guidance and tools to help them measure, report, and reduce their carbon footprint. By empowering MSMEs, we aim to drive meaningful progress across our entire supply chain and accelerate our path to Net Zero.
Carbon reduction initiatives: focusing on what matters
Carbon reduction initiatives go beyond simply choosing more sustainable suppliers. We must focus on efficient design, reducing waste, reuse and incorporating recycled materials into our projects. These actions not only reduce our environmental impact but also contribute to cost savings for our customers and improved project quality.
One of the key tools to achieve this is our newly developed Design Carbon Appraisal Tool (DCAT). This innovative tool allows our design teams to estimate the carbon footprint of every product and service required for a project. By providing carbon data upfront, teams can make informed decisions, compare options and prioritise carbon reduction for products and services with the highest embodied emissions.
Using heatmapping capabilities within DCAT, we can visually identify high-impact areas, allowing us to target efforts where they will have the greatest effect. This helps streamline decision-making and ensures our focus is on the most critical carbon reduction opportunities, ultimately delivering both environmental and economic benefits.
We recognise that the path to Net Zero requires collaboration at every level of our value chain. Our suppliers, especially MSMEs, play a crucial role in achieving our carbon reduction targets. By working closely with them and leveraging tools like our Design Carbon Appraisal Tool (DCAT), we’re able to integrate sustainability into every stage of our procurement process. This approach not only strengthens our environmental performance but also ensures we deliver the highest value to our customers through sustainable solutions
"Collaborating for success
Collaboration with our customers and suppliers is central to achieving shared sustainability goals. Our Procurement team recently supported events organised by the Department for Transport and National Highways, providing a platform to share insights and drive industry-wide progress in sustainability.
These events also offered opportunities to engage with MSMEs and the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise sector, strengthening our partnerships and commitment to a more sustainable future.