Setting Spark’s Science Based Target: tips from a telco

Setting Spark’s Science Based Target: tips from a telco

November 2021

In this webinar replay, Tom Newitt, Sustainability Lead at New Zealand telecom provider Spark New Zealand, shares his thoughts on the value of science-based targets (SBTs) and some tips for setting one.

Spark New Zealand has recently developed a SBT. Their target is a ‘gold standard one: the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) has verified it.

 

A sneak preview of the webinar. The full webinar recording can be downloaded below.

Key takeaways from the webinar

The value of a SBT:

  • A SBT focuses your business on action – not talking about action.
  • A SBT shortcuts conversations. There’s no need to explain the ‘why’ and ‘how much’.
  • A SBT is less likely to get derailed by corporate ‘ebbs and flows’ than an internal target.
  • Seeing a SBT as the ‘fair contribution’ a business needs to make to avert climate catastrophe (rather than a target) will lead to better conversations and outcomes.

To set a target:

  • Start with the factors that make change happen (e.g. leadership) – not your targets and measures.
  • Don’t get hung up on annual targets. Keep your eye on the big picture.
  • Focus on your supply chain: relationships, not data.
  • Learn from others – including your competitors. Climate change isn’t a competitive issue.
  • Don’t expect verification to be easy.