How telecom companies can be powered by renewable energy

BTs sustainability journey started in the early 2000s with a target to reduce 80% of its carbon emissions by 2016. The goal was reached four years early, while a plan to ramp up energy efficiency in data centres, networks, buildings, and processes resulted in savings of close to 220 million pounds. Success galvanised the company into further action.

The organisation then pledged to become a net-zero business by 2045. It had its decarbonisation plan approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and kickstarted measures ranging from switching to low-carbon vehicles to securing renewable energy supply for its global operations.

BT achieved 100% renewable electricity consumption in 2020. Further, the company has updated its environmental commitments and aims to reach net zero by 2031 – 14 years earlier than previously estimated. Scope 1 and 2 emissions have been reduced by 55%. Now the firm is working for similar results in its supply chain, where two-thirds of its emissions are located.

BT has about 18,000 suppliers. The goal is to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 42% against a 2016 baseline, with 2030 as the horizon. To help deliver this, the company introduced new requirements for suppliers to reduce their emissions and energy consumption, nudging them towards procuring renewables.  

Companies have a vast opportunity to generate cascading positive impacts by curbing emissions in their supply chain. Scope 1 and 2 decarbonisation can be a stepping stone towards leading suppliers into a low-carbon future.