Conducting responsible business is fundamental to Proximus. The guiding principles we hold ourselves and our suppliers to are reflected in our Supplier Code of Conduct. These principles allow us to forge ahead with our long-term vision, helping us to be a company committed to the development of society and the care of the planet.
To reduce the CO2e emissions in our value chain, we implement green procurement policies that include sustainability and climate change criteria.
In partnership with our suppliers, we look for optimized designs of products for more energy efficiency and with the integration of circular economy principles. We strive for innovation in business models to extend the lifespan of products and reduce the related CO2e emissions.
In addition, we encourage our suppliers through our Supplier Engagement Program to reduce their own emissions in line with 1,5°C climate science and make the transition to renewable energy sourcing.
To play our part in limiting the global effects of climate change and to be able to attain our net-zero ambitions, we have set the target for our most carbon intensive suppliers to adhere to the following expectations:
What Proximus expects
- Reduce emissions in line with 1,5°C climate science by halving organizational CO2e emissions (scope 1, 2 & 3) before 2030 and to make this commitment public.
- Transition to source energy from renewable sources and continuously look for and implement energy efficiencies to reduce over-all energy consumption.
- Annual measuring and public disclosure of organizational CO2e emissions (scope 1, 2 & 3) to allow transparency in your progress.
- To engage in conversation with Proximus continuously on your roadmap to reduce the environmental footprint of your organization and of the products & solutions you are providing.
Guidelines on how to set a 1,5°C target
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Suppliers are to set a public target in line with halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. For a target to be “public” the supplier can publish it on the supplier company webpage, annual report, or alike.
The supplier can also choose to sign up to an organization such as Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) or SME Climate Hub, however this is not a requirement from Proximus, yet a strong preference. -
The progress for reaching the set climate target is also expected to be reported publicly by the supplier on an annual basis. For emissions disclosure to be “public” the supplier can publish it on the supplier company webpage, annual report, or alike.
The supplier can also choose to report into CDP .
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According to the GHG Protocol, CO2e emissions are divided into three scopes. Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from the activities of an organization or under their control, such as direct energy combustion in facilities or company fleet vehicles. Scope 2 covers indirect emissions, for example purchased electricity. Scope 3 are indirect emissions from the rest of the company’s value chain. If not already done, the supplier should start by mapping out emissions for scope 1 and 2 and then also for scope 3.
When it comes to what emissions to look at for a reduction target, this will depend on the supplier and the supplier industry. As a rule of thumb, and as a first step, the target Proximus expects suppliers to set should cover scope 1 and 2 emissions. However, depending on the supplier’s industry and if a big part of the emissions come from the rest of the value chain, parts of scope 3 will be relevant as well. To determine whether scopes 1, 2 and 3 should be applied, the supplier should refer to the SBTi criteria for 1.5-degree targets. Measuring and disclosing all three scopes however is required.
Further Support & Guidance
- 1.5°C Business Playbook – A step by step guide for companies on how to align with the 1.5°C ambition, explained in four pillars.
- GHG Protocol – Provides the standard for companies on how to map out and measure organizational emissions across the three scopes.
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Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) – Used to publicly announce 1.5°C aligned targets and has useful information for how to calculate targets. Often used by larger companies. Includes sector specific guidance. Its technical criteria are to be followed when deciding the urgency to include scope 3 within your emission reduction targets
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SME Climate Hub – Used to publicly announce 1.5°C aligned targets and has information and guides valuable for companies of all sizes. Often used by small and medium enterprises and is free of charge.
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1.5 °C Supplier Engagement Guide – Provides practical guidance when working with suppliers to set and implement a 1.5°C aligned target.
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CDP – A database for reporting and collecting reports of CO2e emissions. Also has information for how to report and measure. Available in several languages.
Please also note that, in accordance with SBTi, the baseline of the target should be no more than two years back in order to be recognized as a 1.5°C target.
Additional resources for download
Frequently Asked Questions
- These environmental criteria will be taken along in Proximus’ supplier performance review and used in future decision making. Sustainability is on every agenda as of now, and Proximus won’t be your only customer requesting these actions.
- Legislation on an international level is coming and its national adoption as well. What we are putting forward here will be put forward by law soon, of which the most prominent example is the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive)
- Employer branding: Employees aim at working in companies that fit with their own values and beliefs. Thus, it allows you to attract and retain talent.
- Proximus has prioritized active engagement for those suppliers that are contributing the most CO2e emissions to its scope 3 emissions. These suppliers will receive a “Supplier Engagement Letter” to inform them of our expectations and will be requested to fill in a short-format survey to highlight their current climate roadmap. However, we want all our suppliers to act in accordance with these environmental requirements, thus the requirements will be taken along in the performance review of all suppliers.
- The environmental criteria above are complementary to the EcoVadis assessment. Proximus engages its suppliers to adhere to both as they are both taken along in our decision making.
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Scope 1: Direct CO2e emissions that occur from sources that are owned or controlled by the company, with the main example the combustion of fossil fuels in owned or controlled facilities and fleets.
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Scope 2: Indirect CO2e emissions from the generation of purchased electricity consumed by the company.
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Scope 3: Other indirect CO2e emissions that are a consequence of the activities of the company but occur from sources not owned or controlled by the company. Some examples from the 15 categories defined, include the extraction & product of purchased goods, transportation of these goods, and the use of sold products& services.
When it comes to what emissions to look at for a reduction target, this will depend on the supplier and the supplier industry. As a rule of thumb, and as a first step, the target Proximus expects suppliers to set should cover scope 1 and 2 emissions. However, depending on the supplier’s industry and if a big part of the emissions come from the rest of the value chain, parts of scope 3 will be relevant as well. To determine whether scopes 1, 2 and 3 should be applied, the supplier should refer to the SBTi criteria for 1.5-degree targets
- Proximus defines the degree to which energy resources are considered renewable in line with the RE100 Technical Criteria. These are the rules that member companies of the RE100 (Renewable Energy/Electricity 100) campaign observe when procuring renewable energy/electricity and defining their progress towards their RE100 targets. The technical criteria may also be used by any corporate buyer as a guide for procurement of renewable electricity and making claims to its use. It defines which energy resources are renewable and it defines the requirements for credible claims to use of renewable electricity, including specific market boundaries.
- Proximus does not prescribe a specific reporting framework, yet we strongly recommend the use of the GHG Protocol or the ISO 14064 Standard. The disclosed CO2e emissions in form should include scope 1, 2 and 3 as well as the categories of each scope. The disclosed form should inform which, if any, categories are excluded along with the argumentation for exclusion (e.g., due to limited materiality).
- For emissions disclosure to be “public” the supplier can publish it on the supplier company webpage, annual report, or alike. The supplier can also choose to report into CDP .
- A target is science-aligned when it’s set at the head-of-organization level to reach (net) zero emissions as soon as possible by 2050 at the latest, in line with the scientific consensus to limit global warming to 1,5°C. The interim near-term target shall reflect maximum effort to reduce CO2e emissions by at least 50% by 2030. This includes emissions in scope 1, 2, and 3. To assure 1,5°C alignment, we strongly recommend to seek validation with the Science Based Target initiative. SBTi provides to opportunity to sign a Commitment Letter signaling public commitment to validating science-targets within two years.
- The Supplier shall set a quantified emission reduction target against their Total CO2e Emissions. This publicly disclosed target shall specify a baseline year, a reduction percentage against that baseline year, and a target year by which the emissions reductions are to be achieved
- For a target to be “public” the supplier can publish it on the supplier company webpage, annual report, or alike. The supplier can also choose to sign up to an organization such as Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) or SME Climate Hub, however this is not a requirement from Proximus, yet a strong preference.
- Other entities for public target setting companies are invited to contact are those under the banner of the “Race to Zero” campaign backed by the United Nations.