Situation and challenge
A value-added reseller (VAR) in the tech industry sought to radically reduce its carbon footprint by 90 percent by 2050. With 99 percent of emissions embedded in the lifecycle of its products, the VAR faced the challenge of influencing emissions it could not directly control.
The task was compounded by the need to set actionable Science-Based Targets (SBTs) that adhered to the stringent guidelines of the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). This was further intensified by the VAR's largest customers, who demanded SBTs, necessitating a robust plan to garner buy-in from Facilities, Finance and leadership teams.
Solution
WWT's ESG experts stepped in to guide the VAR through this intricate challenge with a strategic approach:
- Strategic SBT identification: WWT led the effort in pinpointing achievable yet ambitious SBTs, harmonizing them with the Net Zero plan through a meticulous mapping of difficulty versus value metrics.
- Collaborative drafting and submission: WWT provided expert assistance in drafting the official SBT submission to the SBTi, ensuring that the targets were challenging but also realistic and aligned with the VAR's capabilities and long-term vision.
Business outcomes
Through the partnership with WWT, the VAR achieved significant milestones, including:
- Clear target identification: With WWT's support, the VAR identified four ambitious SBTs within reach, giving the company clear sustainability objectives.
- Customer assurance: WWT's customer-centric approach helped the VAR retain key customers, showcasing its commitment to environmental goals.
- Roadmap development: WWT aided in creating a comprehensive roadmap for the VAR to meet the SBTs, laying out a structured path forward. After three weeks of review and discussion, this SBT submission process was completed on schedule.
- Industry alignment: The VAR, with WWT's support, aligned its SBTs with industry peers, ensuring it remained at the forefront of environmental responsibility.
Conclusion
WWT's expertise in environmental strategy was instrumental for the VAR in navigating the complexities of setting and achieving science-based targets. This collaboration highlights WWT's role in enabling the VAR to commit to a sustainable future, solidify customer trust, and maintain industry relevance as it progresses toward its Net Zero ambitions.
