BT
BT Group has been a leader on climate and sustainability action for 30 years – setting its first carbon reduction target in 1992 and one of the world’s first science-based targets in 2008. In 2022, BT Group pledged to be net zero carbon emissions for its own operations by end of March 2031, and by end of March 2041 for its supply chain and customer emissions.
In November 2020, BT Group hit a huge milestone by completing the switch to 100% renewable electricity worldwide.
We also announced plans to switch the majority of our commercial fleet to electric or zero emissions models by 2030, where it’s the best technical and economic solution, and will pursue other ultra-low emission solutions where EVs are not viable. To date, BT Group has added more than 2,400 electric vehicles and is on track to have around 4,000 electric vans in its fleet by the end of March 2024.
As with many companies in the telecoms industry, only a small percentage, around 6% of BT Group’s end-to-end carbon emissions come from its own operations, which is why working with suppliers to reduce their own carbon emissions is key to reaching net zero.
For all new contracts worth over £25m, BT Group has introduced a requirement for suppliers to have a net zero science-based target in place or commit to setting one within six months. A climate clause has been introduced for some key suppliers which commits them to make measurable carbon savings during the life of their contract. Ten active BT Group and Openreach suppliers have signed up to the clause so far.
In addition, BT Group encourages suppliers disclose to CDP to enhance transparency and accountability.
This year BT Sourced launched the “Supplier Engagement Programme” targeting our top 135 suppliers by carbon emissions. Focusing in on three key areas, setting a 1.5°C aligned science-based target, committing to reporting their progress on an annual basis and engaging with their supply chains in turn.
Working with MJ Quinn through our contract clause, they were able to reduce emissions by 7% through regional logistics hubs reducing journey distances, by switching to lower emission vehicles, driver behaviour training and additional focus on buildings and IT.
Again through collaboration through our contract clause, we worked with Ericsson and its supplier Flex Poland, who switched its factory to 100% renewable electricity and saw an 11k tonne reduction in Flex’s Scope 2 carbon emissions dedicated to Ericsson for 2022 and a 14-tonne reduction in embodied carbon emissions for the 1,401 baseband units shipped to BT Group.
To drive greater collaboration, we worked with the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, Ericsson, Telia, IKEA and Unilever to set up the 1.5 supply chain leaders initiative.
Together we have engaged global supply chains and have put together guidance like the 1.5 business playbook, helping others to reduce operational emissions, value chain emissions and to integrate climate into strategy and accelerate climate action in society.
We also worked together and with partners and the UK Government to launch the SME Climate Hub. Because we wanted to reach out to SMEs and provide them with a one stop shop for information about setting 1.5 targets – where to start, what it’s all about etc, specifically geared to challenges facing SMEs.
And we work with our industry trade associations to engage with our suppliers. For example, together with other telecoms and mobile operators, we have a joint call to action for suppliers on carbon and the circular economy. We have also issued Scope 3 reporting guidance for our sector and held capacity building webinars.
We know from previous experience that collective climate action has helped us make progress faster, scale ambition and inspire others. We can, for example, see that through how we worked with others on renewable energy and the EV transition.
It’s the same on supplier engagement. The only way we can get exponential change on supply chain climate action is through collaboration.
By sharing best practice, leading by example and spreading the message not just as BT Group, but with partners, we have a much wider reach and impact.
Action and progress on Scope 3 emissions has exploded over the past few years because so many more of us are talking about it and much more importantly, doing something and taking action on supply chain emissions reduction. But we need to do more, so help spread the word!
