case study
Transforming a BEL20 telco firm's supply chain for a sustainable future
Peter-Jan Roose
A leading BEL20 telecommunications company set ambitious Net Zero goals, targeting a 60% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030 and 90% by 2040. However, with 94% of its emissions coming from its supplier network, reducing Scope 3 emissions became the biggest hurdle. To tackle this challenge, the firm partnered with BrightWolves, which designed and executed a structured transformation program to embed sustainability into procurement and supply chain management.
Challenge
The company faced three key obstacles:
Limited data accuracy: Scope 3 emissions were estimated using industry-average factors, lacking supplier-specific data, making targeted reductions difficult.
Supplier maturity gaps: Few key suppliers had set science-based targets (SBTi), making alignment on carbon reduction challenging. Company will need to actively engage and support suppliers to help them set validated targets.
Lack of internal accountability: Sustainability was not integrated into procurement and product development, slowing the transition to circular sourcing.
Through BrightWolves' expertise, the BEL20 telco firm successfully embedded sustainability into its supply chain, transforming Scope 3 reduction from a challenge into an opportunity for innovation.
Approach
With BrightWolves' support, the company implemented a transformation program built on three pillars:
1. Supplier Engagement & Maturity Acceleration
Identified 200 key suppliers covering 84% of Scope 3 emissions and segmented them based on maturity.
Introduced SBTi-aligned requirements in RFPs, contracts, and supplier evaluations.
Created a supplier education portal to drive emissions transparency and support decarbonization efforts.
2. Environmental Sustainability-by-Design
Assigned clear ownership of Scope 3 emissions within business units and procurement teams.
Implemented a “source less, source right” strategy by reducing material use and integrating circular economy principles into product design.
Revised procurement policies to prioritize carbon footprint and sustainability criteria.
3. Data & Governance for Impact Measurement
Developed a centralized Power BI dashboard to track supplier carbon metrics in real time, enabling better emissions monitoring and decision-making.
Shifted from estimates to supplier-specific emissions data, improving measurement accuracy.
Established quarterly governance reviews to ensure alignment with Net Zero milestones.
Impact
The transformation led to measurable sustainability progress:
35% of Scope 3 emissions now covered by suppliers with validated science-based targets, up from a small fraction.
80% of targeted suppliers committed to annual emissions disclosure, enhancing transparency.
Improved data quality enabled precise emissions tracking, identifying high-impact reduction opportunities.
Sustainability fully embedded in procurement, ensuring long-term impact.
Summary
A BEL20 telco partnered with BrightWolves to cut Scope 3 emissions, which accounted for 94% of its carbon footprint.
We launched a transformation program focused on supplier engagement, circular design, and data-driven governance.
This boosted supplier commitments, improved emissions tracking, and embedded sustainability into procurement.
The company is now firmly on track to meet its Net Zero targets and lead on sustainable sourcing.