Scope 3 Guidance for Telecommunication Operators

The Scope 3 Guidance for Telecommunication Operators serves as a vital resource for ICT companies looking to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout their value chains. Specifically focused on Scope 3 emissions, this guidance helps companies measure, report, and reduce emissions that are indirectly linked to their operations, such as those from suppliers and customer usage. By following this framework, telecom operators can more effectively align their practices with Science-Based Targets (SBTs), ensuring they meet global climate goals with greater precision and transparency.

For ICT companies, particularly network operators, several categories stand out as significant for Scope 3 evaluation:

• Purchased goods and services (Category 1): This includes purchases related to both offered services (cradle-to-gate) and used services (life cycle).
• Capital goods (Category 2): This encompasses owned IT equipment (cradle-to-gate), telecommunication towers, and machinery.
• Fuel and energy-related activities (Category 3): These activities are associated with the organization’s own Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, with further clarifications available in the Category 3 section.
• Upstream leased assets (Category 8): This category includes leased IT equipment, telecommunication towers (Towercos), and facilities (cradle-to-gate).
• Use of sold products (Category 11): This involves the operation of products and services, including the use of necessary support equipment for operation (power supply and cooling).
• Downstream leased assets (Category 13): This relates to emissions from the operation of provided products and services.

GeSI’s Scope 3 Guidance outlines key principles that align with these prioritized activities to foster sustainable methodologies. These principles, as detailed in the Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard, include:

• Hot-spotting (Principle 2): Concentrate efforts on the largest emission sources. By identifying and addressing these sources, companies can drive impactful change.
• Improve accuracy over time (Principle 5): As data availability and quality enhance each year, accurate identification of significant emission areas becomes possible through rigorous data research.
• Follow science-based principles (Principle 7): Aligning with net-zero standards from organizations like the ISO, the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provides a robust framework for setting global targets.
• Focus on mitigation (Principle 8): Carbon offsets, whether purchased by the telecommunication operator, a supplier, or a customer, should not be deemed valid means of reducing carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) inventories.

You can access the full version of the guide for Scope 3 Telecommunication Operators by clicking below.