T-Mobile

At a Glance

Industry

Telecommunications

Project Types

Data Analysis, Supply Chain, Sustainability and Energy Management Strategy

Year

2024

Location

Frisco, TX

Summary

Zainab conducted a transformative economic analysis for T-Mobile's Scope 3 emissions reduction, exploring multiple investment strategies and prioritizing the most cost-effective approach. Her innovative strategy enabled T-Mobile to achieve its annual emissions targets cost-effectively while delivering multimillion-dollar savings. Additionally, Zainab proposed integrating cutting-edge technologies like blockchain and AI-driven carbon pricing to optimize emissions management. Her work positioned T-Mobile as a leader in sustainability, driving long-term supplier engagement and operational excellence.

Goals

T-Mobile, a leading advocate for sustainability in the U.S. telecom industry, engaged EDF Climate Corps fellow Zainab Tariq to analyze efficient strategies for reducing Scope 3 emissions and enhancing supplier engagement in line with SBTi's. Zainab aimed to develop a cost optimization model to implement sustainability initiatives while minimizing associated costs strategically. She collaborated with the energy and sustainability team to create rubrics for evaluating suitable vendors for Scope 3 emissions management and to analyze supplier engagement tools for improvement critically. Additionally, Zainab sought to review T-Mobile's emissions database management and develop key performance indicators to assess the feasibility of adopting blockchain technology for emissions management.

Solutions

Zainab led a comprehensive economic analysis focused on carbon offsets and suppliers' role in reducing Scope 3 emissions to help T-Mobile meet its emissions reduction targets cost-effectively. She developed and evaluated four investment pathways: Equal, Proportional, Aggressive, and the innovative Cost-effective (Greedy) approach. While the Equal approach evenly distributed investments and the Proportional strategy allocated resources based on emissions reduction potential, the Greedy approach prioritized the most cost-effective initiatives. It enabled T-Mobile to meet annual targets while saving multimillions, proving 34% more cost-effective than the Proportional pathway and 28% more efficient than the Aggressive. This positioned T-Mobile to achieve its Climate Pledge goals at the lowest cost, establishing a solid foundation for long-term sustainability. Zainab also underlined the importance of established tools, recommending blockchain and AI-driven carbon pricing for proactive emissions management. Further analysis of technological advancements and supplier maturity could strengthen T-Mobile's sustainability efforts, ensuring they remain resilient, equitable, and transformative.

Potential Impact

The projects will significantly enhance T-Mobile's sustainability image by fostering stronger relationships with suppliers, encouraging them to take ownership of their emissions, and setting rigorous Science-Based Targets. T-Mobile plans to integrate the Cost-effective Reduction model with strategic investments, solidifying its leadership in renewable energy advocacy and driving long-term environmental change throughout its value chain. The proactive strategies and cutting-edge tools solidify T-Mobile's position as a sustainability trailblazer within the telecom industry, setting standards and inspiring others to follow suit.

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