To mark Earth Day (April 22nd), Virgin Media O2 has announced that it has cut Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 56 per cent against its 2020 baseline.  

The company is publishing the performance of its sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan, in 2024, which shows it is on track to meet its near-term Science Based Target goal of reducing operational emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) by 90 per cent by 2030.

To galvanise further action to reduce its carbon emissions, the company’s annual bonus scheme includes a metric based on the company’s carbon reduction performance. This is part of the company’s overall ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its products, operations, and supply chain by the end of 2040, which is 10 years ahead of the UK’s net zero goal.

In addition, it has:

·   Achieved 15 per cent savings in data centre cooling energy across 20 sites,
·   Rolled out more than 350 electric vehicles as part of its goal to transition to a fully electric fleet,
·   Eliminated plastic packaging from own-brand products delivered to customers and worked with suppliers to cut plastic packaging at source by 27 per cent against a 2022 baseline.
·   Continued to use 100 per cent renewable energy across sites where it controls the bill,
·   Introduced a programme to reduce Scope 3 carbon emissions from its supply chain.

Reuse, Repair, Recycle

Virgin Media O2 is also helping people and businesses tackle electronic waste by repairing, recycling, or donating unwanted electricals to people in need.  Since 2022, the company has helped people take 8.5 million ‘circular actions’ as part of its 10 million goal by the end of 2025.  This includes recycling tech such as smartphones, tablets, and consoles via O2 Recycle – which is open to anyone regardless of their mobile operator, and since 2009, has processed more than four million devices and paid out £350 million to consumers.

O2 Recycle has also been extended to accept consoles and MacBooks, alongside smartphones, tablets, wearables, and earbuds. Companies can also donate unused devices via O2 Recycle for Business.

Nicola Green, Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at Virgin Media O2, commented: “With our Better Connections Plan, Virgin Media O2 is leading the way in helping people to live more sustainable lives.  As we enter the final year of our industry-leading sustainability strategy, we will continue to lead as a sustainable and responsible business that strives to make a positive difference across the UK. Whether it’s cutting carbon, tackling e-waste, or helping those in need to get online, we’ll continue to use our purpose, people and products to have a lasting impact on the planet and the communities we serve.”

Other posts by :

1. Russian satellite tumbling out of control
2. FCC boss praises AST SpaceMobile
3. Rakuten makes historic satellite video call
4. Rocket Lab confirms D2C ambitions
5. Turkey establishes satellite production ecosystem
6. Italy joins Germany in IRIS2 alternate thoughts
7. Kazakhstan to create museum at Yuri Gagarin launch site
8. AST SpaceMobile gets $42 or $1500 price target
9. Analyst: GEO bloodbath taking place

Categories: Articles, MNO, Mobile

Tags: Carbon, recycle, Virgin Media O2