On a recent episode of the CleanTech Talk podcast, insights into the fight against Scope 3 emissions were shared by Dave Rimkus from Schneider Electric and Vishnu Nair from Zeigo Activate. They discussed the complexities corporations face when trying to decipher and diminish their carbon footprint.
The Hurdle of Scope 3 Emission Metrics
Deloitte’s Sustainability Action Report highlights that a staggering 86% of companies struggle with just pinpointing their Scope 3 emissions, let alone reducing them. The question arises: can software be the catalyst for a change in both tracking and trimming these emissions?
“Decarbonizing the supply chain is by no means a simple task. However, software might just be the missing piece that simplifies the process. Essentially, everything boils down to supplier engagement. The more they’re on board, the better the chances of slashing emissions. In this scenario, well-crafted software can definitely turn the tides,” Rimkus explains.
More Than Just an Organizational Tool
When most think of software solutions, they imagine a basic communication tool meant to take the place of emails and calls. But it’s much more than that. “Our platform not only facilitates calculating carbon data,” says Nair, “but also provides actionable guidance. With our system, businesses can effortlessly get connected to the right service providers who can actualize sustainability measures.”
These promises may seem lofty at first glance, but how do such solutions truly fare in the practical world?
Rimkus Unveils the Reality of Software Implementation
Rimkus illuminates the tangible impact of this kind of software: “Visibility is key. Clients often come to us with knowledge of their spending, but without insight into their suppliers’ sustainability progress. We onboard suppliers through our programs, gathering data about their maturity in sustainability, their renewable energy procurement, and the environmental efforts they’re already making. This information allows us to gauge their targets and ambitions regarding decarbonization.”
“Direct engagement with suppliers not only reveals their sustainability status but also uncovers significant opportunities for these businesses — particularly small and mid-sized enterprises — to embark on effective decarbonization measures,” he added.
Software Solutions: The Unseen Heroes in Decarbonization
The conversation went beyond the software itself, touching on how shared suppliers across various sectors have been synergized to adopt decarbonization measures, significantly cutting their Scope 3 emissions. The Zeigo Network, in particular, has been pivotal in allowing suppliers to join forces, thereby augmenting their buying power to secure electricity from collective renewable energy sources.
To gain deeper insights into how software is revolutionizing the approach to corporate decarbonization and to uncover other stories of progress in this area, the podcast provides valuable information and serves as an encouragement for others in the industry to tune in and learn from these pioneering efforts in sustainability.
