The sustainable telco: navigating the maze of scope 3 emissions

Some of the world’s largest communications service providers (CSPs) hope to achieve net zero greenhouse (GHG) emissions by 2040, spurred by pressure from regulators, customers, investors and employees.

Their success, however, will depend on getting to grips with their largest source of emissions: Scope 3. And it won't be simple to achieve. Not only are Scope 3 emissions generated beyond a telco’s direct control through activity up and down the supply chain, but CSPs also tend to lack access to the standardized, industry-specific data they need for accurate emissions reporting.

Yet, as we see in this report, which is based on both an extensive survey and interviews with leading telcos worldwide, several are taking the issue seriously. Not only are investments in new technologies and processes underway, but some CSPs are also weighing up the extent to which Scope 3 targets demand a radical change in how they procure, build and operate networks.

Read this report to understand:

• Why Scope 3 emissions are high on telcos’ sustainability agendas
• How CSPs are using tools and processes to improve reporting
• Why gaining a full picture of Scope 3 emissions is difficult
• What CSPs expect from their suppliers and what telcos’ customers expect from them
• The challenge of net zero targets amid changing regulation.