At the end of 2021, TDC NET announced its climate plan to reach net-zero across its entire value chain by 2030. The ambitious target has now been validated by the global organization Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This means that TDC NET’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030 aligns with the requirements set forth by climate science. It makes TDC NET the first company in the world to receive SBTi validation for a 2030 net-zero target, achieving this milestone 20 years ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal.
“This is a significant recognition of our ambitious climate efforts. As Denmark’s largest provider of digital infrastructure, we take our societal responsibility very seriously. By being the first company in the world to receive SBTi validation for a 2030 net-zero target, we are leading the way. We aim to quickly become a net-zero business and play our part in driving the green transition in Denmark through our robust digital infrastructure and advanced technological solutions,” says Inge Hansen, Director of Corporate Affairs at TDC NET.
By 2023, TDC NET plans to reduce CO2 emissions from its own operations by 50% and to achieve net-zero by 2028 (scope 1 and 2). Emissions from suppliers and customers will reach net-zero by 2030 (scope 3).
Collaboration across the value chain is crucial to achieving net-zero
TDC NET has launched several initiatives to reduce its CO2 emissions, focusing on energy optimization, reducing mileage of its fleet of over 1,300 vehicles, replacing older technologies with new, energy-efficient ones, and establishing four new solar parks. These efforts are already contributing to TDC NET’s goal of net-zero by 2030.
However, to achieve our ambitious targets, mapping and collaborating across the entire value chain is crucial. Today, supplier activities account for approximately 80% of TDC NET’s total scope 3 emissions. Therefore, TDC NET has prioritized integrating sustainability into its procurement processes, as this department significantly influences the selection of new suppliers and services. The procurement team has been trained on how to reduce CO2 emissions and gather the necessary data to evaluate the environmental impact of new products or services on TDC NET’s overall CO2 footprint.
“We want to integrate sustainability into everything we do. In recent years, we have strengthened the collaboration between our procurement and sustainability teams. By embedding sustainability into this area of our business, we’ve significantly improved our procurement processes and expertise. Additionally, we’re exploring ways to share our knowledge and support our suppliers who may lack the necessary expertise,” says Inge Hansen.
For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that require support, TDC NET’s sustainability team dedicates resources to educate them on how consumption data can be translated into CO2 emissions. Moreover, the company actively involves suppliers in setting climate targets.