The increasing urgency to tackle climate change has driven industries globally to adopt strategies aimed at achieving net zero GHG emissions. This thesis centers on creating a Net Zero Transition Reporting Framework for a telecom company, a sector that, although not traditionally seen as a major emitter, is crucial in the global effort towards sustainability. The main goals of this research are to identify and analyze emission sources and reduction initiatives in the telecom industry, assess the GHG emissions of telecom companies in relation to SBTi benchmarks, and propose a comprehensive and efficient reporting framework to aid in the transition to net zero.
The research begins with a detailed investigation of the telecom industry's emission sources, which include direct emissions from operational activities and indirect emissions from the supply chain and energy usage. This analysis will also examine existing reduction initiatives, such as the use of renewable energy, improvements in energy efficiency, and the implementation of innovative technologies designed to reduce emissions.
Next, the thesis will conduct a thorough analysis of GHG emissions data from leading telecom companies, comparing their performance against SBTi targets. This comparative study will highlight the progress and obstacles these companies face in their journey to achieve net zero emissions. The assessment will also identify best practices and potential areas for enhancement, providing valuable insights for other companies in the sector.
Based on these findings, the final part of the thesis will propose a Net Zero Transition Reporting Framework specifically designed for a telecom company. This framework aims to streamline the reporting process, ensuring it is transparent, consistent, and comprehensive.
By developing this framework, the thesis aims to provide telecom companies with a practical tool to effectively navigate their net zero transition journey. The proposed framework is designed to facilitate strategic decision-making, enhance stakeholder engagement, and ultimately contribute to the broader goal of mitigating climate change. This research underscores the pivotal role of the telecom industry in achieving global sustainability targets and highlights the need for robust reporting mechanisms to support this critical endeavor.
Keywords: Net Zero Transition, Reporting Framework, Telecom Industry, GHG Emissions, Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), Sustainability, Climate Change, Emission Reduction, Renewable Energy, TCFD.