Scope 3 Training Academy Helped a Telecommunications Company Establish a Comprehensive Supplier Engagement Program for Scope 3 Reductions
Executive summary
A large telecommunications company partnered with SSC through the Scope 3 Training Academy for Procurement Teams to strengthen its ability to meet Scope 3 reduction goals. While sustainability teams are often tasked with driving these initiatives, procurement plays a critical role in supplier engagement and decision-making. SSC provided tailored training that educated procurement team members on their role in decarbonization, introduced real-world supplier examples, and equipped them with tools and strategies to integrate sustainability into daily purchasing decisions. The training empowered procurement professionals to become active contributors in advancing Scope 3 reductions and supplier engagement strategies.
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Key Findings
Procurement as a Critical Partner:
Procurement teams hold essential knowledge of purchases, supplier relationships, and logistics, making their role indispensable in Scope 3 reduction efforts.Tailored Scope 3 Training:
SSC delivered a customized program covering Scope 3 basics, supplier engagement strategies, and procurement’s role in decarbonization.Real-World Supplier Examples:
Participants reviewed publicly available supplier data, such as environmental product declarations, to learn how to select lower embodied carbon products.Interactive and Engaging Format:
Hybrid training (in-person and online) included exercises, discussions, and brainstorming that energized participants and drove strategy development.Long-Term Impact:
The training established a foundation for ongoing procurement-led supplier engagement and progress toward Scope 3 reduction goals.
Results
Procurement teams gained a clear understanding of Scope 3 emissions and their direct role in reduction strategies.
Participants were trained on supplier engagement techniques and equipped with scripts and workbooks for ongoing implementation.
Real-world examples, such as selecting lower embodied carbon products including cable and other typical products utilized in operations, provided actionable insights.
The company launched a procurement-led approach to supplier engagement, supporting its long-term Scope 3 decarbonization journey.
Strong enthusiasm and collaboration among procurement staff positioned sustainability as an integral part of purchasing decisions.
“What made this training so rewarding was seeing procurement realize their direct influence on Scope 3 outcomes. Once they understood their role, they moved from processing purchases to actively shaping supplier decisions and reducing carbon footprint.”
Tad Radzinski, PE, SEP, LEED AP, SFP
President & Co-Founder, Sustainable Solutions Corporation
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Like many large corporations, the telecommunications company had set Scope 3 reduction goals, but responsibility had largely been placed on a small sustainability team. Recognizing the need for broader involvement, the company partnered with SSC to integrate procurement, the function most connected to suppliers, utilities, and logistics into its sustainability strategy. Procurement staff needed both education on Scope 3 emissions and practical tools to engage suppliers.
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SSC delivered our customized Scope 3 Training Academy for Procurement Teams in a hybrid format, combining in-person and virtual participation to maximize engagement. The program educated procurement team members on the fundamentals of Scope 3 emissions, their critical role in decarbonization, and strategies for effective supplier engagement. Using real-world examples, such as comparing embodied carbon data for cable products, SSC demonstrated how procurement decisions directly impact emissions. Participants were provided practical tools, including workbooks and supplier communication scripts, to apply their learning immediately. Interactive discussions and exercises reinforced collaboration, ensuring procurement was fully equipped to support the company’s long-term Scope 3 reduction goals.
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The Scope 3 Training Academy for Procurement Teams is a focused training program designed to equip procurement professionals with the understanding and tools needed to address Scope 3 emissions—often the largest share of a company’s greenhouse gas profile.
Delivered as either three one-hour webinar sessions or a half-day in-person workshop
Training material customized to the company’s supply chain, industry, and sustainability goals
Led by SSC sustainability experts with interactive sessions and exercises
Includes educational resources such as PDF copies of presentations and recordings for future reference and new hires when they are onboarded
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Participants in sourcing and procurement teams learned how to:
Understand their critical role in sustainable procurement, supplier engagement, and emissions reduction
Confidently articulate what Scope 3 emissions are and what their company is doing about them
Develop a roadmap for engaging suppliers on sustainability initiatives
Reduce costs through more efficient resource use
Integrate sustainability into procurement strategies
Contribute to achieving the company’s broader Scope 3 reduction targets
