How 25 UK channel partners are tackling their carbon emissions

Softcat

Revenue: £1.94bn

tCO2e: 386 (304)

The UK's largest reseller has published sweeping carbon reduction targets last May, with an aim of being ‘net zero supply chain' by 2040.

The target encompasses scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, the latter of which Softcat acknowledges hinge partly on the progress of its vendor partners. On that note, Softcat's annual report includes a useful summary of the sustainability commitments of its key manufacturer allies (including Dell and HPE's pledge to be net zero by 2050 and Apple committing to all its products being carbon neutral by 2030).

Over half of Softcat's locations are now using renewable energy, with the giant reseller hoping to use 100 per cent renewable energy by 2024.

It reported its collective scope 1 and 2 emissions at 386 tonnes in its year to 31 July 2021. That's an 18 per cent hike on the previous year, which Softcat stressed reflected an improved assessment methodology rather than a like-for-like rise.

"We've been able to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of our own business in recent years despite our growth, but as we look ahead, we have a strong desire to become a leader in the journey towards carbon neutrality," Softcat said in its 2021 accounts.

Talking to CRN, Softcat operations director Alastair Wynn said the £2bn-revenue reseller giant hoped to have its net zero plans validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative by the end of 2022.

"We've gone through a lot of work with Support the Goals. But we want that ratified by science. It's important, to keep us honest and validate the results - I consider it an audit of our thinking and methodology," he said.

"The pace of it has frustrated me a little, because it's hard to get those sessions in with SBTi. However, this is a bit of a blessing because SBTi was made tougher and more robust following COP26. Before, an organisation could just get a stamp of approval for short-term targets, whereas now there have to be long term targets, aspiring towards 2040/2050. So we're going through the reinforced, revalidated, tougher measures with SBTi, which puts us at a better endpoint." See full interview with Wynn here.