Verizon – Mackenzie Marcotte – 2020

Goals

Having recently completed direct emissions calculations (Scopes 1 and 2), Verizon’s sustainability team enlisted Marcotte to take a closer look at the emissions reduction opportunities in Verizon’s value chain (Scope 3). Supplier engagement will play an essential role in achieving Verizon’s forthcoming science based target but will require a streamlined strategy.

Solutions

While sophisticated in emissions tracking and reporting, Verizon had yet to apply its findings to the company’s supply chain in a coordinated manner. Lingering data gaps and competing priorities continued to hinder cross-team collaboration on supplier sustainability. Marcotte closed a portion of the data gap by compiling existing metrics from Verizon, CDP, EcoVadis, and suppliers’ public reports to conduct a carbon maturity analysis on 60 key suppliers. The carbon maturity rating allowed Verizon to identify suppliers that both substantially impact Verizon’s emissions footprint and are poised to implement climate initiatives.

Impact

Nearly 80% of Verizon’s value chain (Scope 3) emissions are attributable to purchased goods and services, i.e. suppliers’ activities. To reach the company’s Scope 3 science based target, Verizon must help suppliers reduce their own emissions. Marcotte spent the summer meeting with internal team members and external supply chain and sustainability experts to determine best practices in supplier engagement. Using this insight and the proprietary carbon maturity analysis, Marcotte crafted a supplier engagement strategy that facilitates collaboration across Sustainability, Sourcing, and other relevant Verizon teams as well as key suppliers. The five-phase supplier engagement strategy provides a roadmap for Verizon to reach its Scope 3 emissions reductions target over the next fifteen years.