Technology distributor embeds data-driven approach to tracking and reducing carbon footprint as it works towards 2050 Net Zero target
Westcon-Comstor, a global technology provider and specialist distributor, has today published a breakdown of its latest annual carbon emissions, as it embeds a data-driven approach to achieving ambitious sustainability targets.
Westcon-Comstor connects the world’s leading IT vendors with a channel of technology resellers, systems integrators and service providers.
The company’s Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – defined as those that it owns or controls either directly or indirectly – fell by 2.2% to 3,276 tCO2e* in the year ending 28 February 2023.
Meanwhile, Scope 3 emissions – indirect emissions that occur in the company’s value and supply chain – saw a 17.4% year-on-year increase to 785,953 tCO2e, due in part to the current use of a spend-based emissions calculations methodology that reflects the company’s 18.3% revenue increase over the same period.
In support of its goal of reducing Scope 3 emissions by 25% by 2030 against 2022 levels, Westcon-Comstor intends to make its data more robust and accurate by shifting from a spend-based methodology to using product-specific data in emissions calculations.
Westcon-Comstor’s newly-published Responsible Business report covering its 2023 financial year (FY23) also reveals that 54.5% of its suppliers globally have set science-based emission reduction targets, against a target of 80% by 2025.
“The fact that 99% of our overall emissions globally are within our supply chain shows the importance of collaborating with our vendors and partners as we work towards our long-term goal of achieving net zero as a business by 2050,” said Mark McLardie, Head of ESG at Westcon-Comstor. “We recognise the need to de-couple our business growth from emissions growth, which is why we are prioritising engagement with our vendors and partners, including improving the robustness of our supplier emissions data with a particular focus on their products.”
“Reducing our carbon footprint and doing our bit to protect the planet is a key strategic focus for us as a responsible business, and these figures demonstrate the scale of the challenge we face in meeting the ambitious targets we’ve set ourselves,” said David Grant, (Pictured up top) CEO at Westcon-Comstor. “As well as dramatically reducing the carbon emissions that we own or control, we aim to leverage our position at the heart of the IT ecosystem to lead those around us into more sustainable practices as part of a shared journey to net zero.”
Westcon-Comstor is a member of the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign launched by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTI). The SBTi recently validated the company’s 2050 net-zero targets.
The Responsible Business report reveals that, during FY23, Westcon-Comstor:
- Worked alongside its vendors and partners to develop a number of bespoke ‘reverse logistics’ programmes to support the circular economy and reduce electronic waste;
- Launched a data management platform providing a consolidated view of its emissions and consumption, enabling it to track performance against targets;
- Established an ESG supplier risk management framework to understand the risks and opportunities within its supply chain; and
- Performed a desk-based assessment of its 14 largest vendors to guide its vendor ESG engagement strategy.
The company’s focus in FY24 is continuing to improve data quality, including capturing prioritised Scope 3 emissions and developing its ability to collect and report data related to general office waste across its operations.
*tCO2e is an abbreviation for tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. It is a unit that quantifies the amount and impact of greenhouse gases, such as methane, by using the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide as a reference.
**80% of suppliers as defined by spend, covering purchased goods and services.
***Net zero is defined as a 90% reduction in emissions and offsetting residual emissions (<%10).
Access Westcon-Comstor’s FY23 Responsible Business report.
About Westcon-Comstor
Westcon-Comstor is a global technology provider and specialist distributor, operating in more than 70 countries. It delivers business value and opportunity by connecting the world’s leading IT vendors with a channel of technology resellers, systems integrators and service providers. It combines industry insight, technical know-how and more than 30 years of distribution experience to deliver value and accelerate vendor and partner business success. It goes to market through two lines of business: Westcon and Comstor.
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