Environmental accounting group Trucost conducted a comprehensive supply chain assessment for Sprint Nextel
[NYSE: S]. Sprint says it is the first wireless carrier
to complete and publicly release such a thorough supplier carbon assessment.
The assessment examines Sprint’s total supply-chain carbon
emissions and quantifies and identifies "hot spots" where Sprint can focus its
efforts. Sprint said it will use the data to define and implement further plans
to effectively manage and reduce supplier emissions.
Trucost’s Scope 3 supply-chain assessment outlines the
source of CO2 emissions, giving an indication of where a supplier’s carbon
burden lies, be it is within direct operations (Scope 1), electricity suppliers
(Scope 2), first-tier suppliers (Scope 3 – First Tier), or with all other
suppliers further up the supply chain (Scope 3 – All Others).
"We believe Trucost’s approach is a breakthrough that
finally facilitates a cost-effective, fast and timely assessment of a
corporation’s supply-chain carbon impact," said Ralph Reid, Sprint vice
president-Corporate Social Responsibility. "The barriers to completing a
supply-chain carbon assessment have been substantial, preventing most
corporations from taking this important step in understanding their total
carbon impact."
The Trucost Scope 3 supply chain was completed in just four
weeks and covers 98% of Sprint’s supply-chain expenditure. The methodology of
the study complies with guidance in the most recent World Resources Institute
and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Scope 3 Accounting
and Reporting Standard. Key findings include:
- Sprint’s supplier emissions total 2.08 million metric tons
of CO2, slightly more than Sprint’s total direct and indirect emissions of 1.95
million metric tons in 2009. - The top 50 suppliers of Sprint’s supply chain account for
more than 94% of the total carbon footprint.
"Measuring and
understanding carbon footprints is the first step toward managing and reducing
them," said Cary Krosinsky, Trucost senior vice president. "Carbon emissions
are increasingly resulting in financial costs for companies, and by undertaking
such a thorough carbon assessment of its supply chain, Sprint Nextel is taking
a major step toward effectively reducing its overall carbon footprint."
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