“I always advise people that the important step is to simply begin. Small and medium-sized businesses play a critical role in managing global emissions, so it is up to us to stay consistent and get better year on year.”
QCIC is proud to be one of the organisations to have signed the Pledge to Net Zero. A UK Environmental Industries initiative, Pledge to Net Zero is helping to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2050.
In this interview Sasha Sherlock, QCIC COO, shares insights on how businesses, small-to-medium sized in particular, can overcome the challenges of collecting Scope 3 emissions data and work towards making measurable progress.
How is QCIC navigating the complexities of measuring Scope 3 emissions?
There were some steep challenges at the start. While we are a global team, we’re still a medium-sized business and don’t have a dedicated department with experts in emissions reporting. That didn’t deter us – we invested time in researching, attending webinars and engaging with organisations such as Pledge to Net Zero and Carbon Footprint to guide us through the process.
Once we gained a better understanding, we accepted that this would take time and made the decision to start, even though not every aspect was clear. Our approach has been to categorise our expenses, assess the ease of measurement, identify areas of greatest impact and develop a project plan to manage the journey over the next few years. We believe in tackling this in manageable stages.
What were some of the categories QCIC could initially tackle with more ease?
We began by measuring business travel emissions as we had readily available data. Although it was tricky at the beginning with regards to how we were recording data, we were able to find a solution easily.
We then moved to commuting and working from home data. Since 2022 we have included an estimate of this but for FY2026 we will undertake surveys to enhance data accuracy. Additionally, we have adapted systems such as adding relevant data fields to expense claims.
After this we looked for our next ‘easy win’, but realised there weren’t many. It is going to get more difficult from here.
Operating globally, what are some of the challenges with Scope 3 reporting?
We have suppliers in approximately 150 countries; each locality has a differing level of commitment towards sustainability. Global politics and local legislation also influence how suppliers perceive this challenge.
We have adopted a pragmatic approach, we focus on our own journey whilst proactively engaging suppliers to encourage participation where possible. Any progress – even small is valuable, and we will continue to build on these incremental gains.
How does measuring Scope 3 further assist drive sustainable operations?
The Scope 3 data we have collected so far has helped shape several of our policies. We promote more virtual meetings and only undertake essential travel. Our team also benefits from Work from Home (WFH) and hybrid working policies.
Operationally, our Q-Net Partners Programme through which we utilise the services of more than 200 local service providers (LSPs) for installation of security hardware assist us in limiting carbon emissions by cutting down on our travel and support local employment.
We know that when we measure, we can manage more efficiently. In the short to medium term we aim to:
Allocate preferential supplier status to suppliers who have sustainability commitments
Provide incentives to encourage sustainable actions; and
Enhance promotion of sustainable products and manufacturers.
In a sector that relies on high-quality standards and constant innovation, embedding sustainability has driven both efficiency and creativity. For example, our Design to Destination service streamlines the design, configuration and delivery of pre-programmed security equipment, reducing engineering, freight, and on-site waste. Our remote support technologies further minimise travel by enabling 24/7 assistance from anywhere in the world.
What trends do you foresee in the sustainability space and how is QCIC capitalising on this?
Corporate commitment to net zero goals
We have noticed a growing emphasis on sustainability within corporate governance and checks from large corporates.
Leadership and direction from larger businesses has encouraged us to work hard in this space so we consider it a positive. Over the past five years we have purchasing woodland for conservation, maintaining ISO 14001 accreditation and planted over 6 000 trees globally.
Increase in sustainable suppliers
This varies according to industry and region, but we are seeing more options regarding sustainability-driven suppliers. This ranges from cleaning products used in our buildings to flights booked and devices purchased. Many now offer offsetting options or incentives for products/services resulting in increased options to purchase more sustainably.
Regulatory changes
This is variable depending on where you are working or what you are doing, however companies are being asked to disclose and report under-regulation. As a medium-sized business we are not yet required to report, however, we have it on our radar adjusting how we collect data to make future compliance earlier.
Use of AI and data analytics
AI is helping organisations analyse complex supply-chain data, identify emissions hotspots, and forecast the impact of different reduction strategies more accurately. At QCIC, we’re exploring how AI tools can support our own data management, from automating expense categorisation to identifying patterns in supplier emissions. As these technologies evolve, they’ll make Scope 3 measurement faster, more consistent and ultimately more actionable.
What are some of the key learnings?
Rome was not built in a day! I always advise people that the important step is to simply begin. Small- and medium-sized businesses play a critical role in managing global emissions, so it is up to us to stay consistent and get better year on year.
QCIC encourages fellow businesses to make the Pledge to Net Zero. For more information click here.
– Sasha Sherlock, Chief Operating Officer, QCIC
