UK’s largest digital connectivity companies agree new initiative to reduce supplier emissions
As part of a new Digital Connectivity Forum (DCF) initiative, some of the UK’s largest broadband and mobile connectivity players have signed a joint letter encouraging their suppliers to adopt voluntary minimum standards as part of their efforts to reach climate goals.
The letter was signed by 10 companies from across the UK connectivity sector, a move which represents in aggregate approximately £50bn in annual turnover.
The Digital Connectivity Forum (the primary advisory group to the UK Government on digital connectivity) and its members are committed and determined to play an active and ambitious role in tackling carbon emissions, with the DCF’s State of the Industry Report finding that 75% of its surveyed members have already validated Science Based Targets[1].
Supplier engagement is critical to advancing these goals. The report found that Purchased Goods and Services represented the largest source of Scope 3 emissions. As a result, a number of members of the DCF’s Climate and Sustainability Working Group have signed a joint letter to their suppliers that urges the adoption of voluntary minimum standards to reduce emissions in a simple and pragmatic way.
The identified minimum targets are included below, and the letter encourages suppliers to engage with their own supply chain to reduce carbon emissions and pursue circular principles.
- Publicly disclose, on an annual basis, Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions data [2], with third-party verification for Scopes 1 & 2.
- Publicly disclose a science-based carbon reduction target[3].
- Establish goals to improve the energy efficiency, reduce the embodied emissions, and increase circularity of the products provided, for example through higher reuse and refurbishment rates and reduced waste.
- Where feasible, to implement Life Cycle Assessments or Product Carbon Footprints in accordance with ISO, or other, standards for relevant goods they supply.
The Digital Connectivity Forum and its members hope that this marks a first step in the increase of critical supply chain engagement to reduce emissions across the sector. You can read the letter in full here.
Signatories to the letter are free to act as they wish in their individual dealings with suppliers and may encourage their suppliers to use more stringent standards than the minimum standards set out in the letter.
Each Signatory to the letter shall independently decide the application of these standards. Suppliers will be free to determine how they will meet these standards.
In recognition of the challenges that many smaller suppliers are facing, the DCF has published guidance for SMEs on how to reduce carbon emissions.
[1] Source: DCF State of the Industry report. Individual members will have a range of emissions reduction targets, net zero goals and carbon neutrality targets.
[2] At a minimum should include scopes 1, 2 and all relevant categories 1-8 of scope 3.
[3] For the avoidance of doubt this does not mandate a validated Science Based Targets, merely that the targets are aligned with the Science Based Targets Initiative standard or a partner organisation of the Race to Zero
Signatory Companies
Alex Mather, Head of the Digital Connectivity Forum
“The DCF is delighted to launch this initiative as part of our ongoing work to reduce the climate impact of the digital connectivity sector. By encouraging suppliers to adopt these practical and achievable standards, we are fostering collaboration across the supply chain to deliver meaningful climate action while supporting the UK’s world-leading connectivity goals.”
Will Ennett, Chair of the DCF Climate & Sustainability Working Group
“I want to thank the 10 companies, who provide an essential service to most households and businesses in the UK, for collaborating and effecting change. In a telecoms industry first, we are coming together to address the carbon footprint of our supply chains, the largest source of our respective emissions.”
