Virgin Media O2 becomes first telecoms provider to achieve Carbon Trust certification for action towards net zero emissions
Virgin Media O2 is the first UK telecoms provider to be recognised by the Carbon Trust for its action towards achieving net zero carbon across its business.
Virgin Media O2 has achieved the Advancing level of the Carbon Trust’s Route to Net Zero Standard and is one of only three businesses in the country to receive the Advancing tier of the certification.
Carbon Trust’s Route to Net Zero Standard is a robust and challenging certification to help companies manage and reduce carbon emissions, and share progress made towards achieving net zero.
Virgin Media O2 has achieved the Advancing level for reducing its Scope 1 and 2 carbon footprints in-line with science-based targets to keep global temperature rises below two degrees. The Carbon Trust has also recognised Virgin Media O2’s rigorous plans to cut carbon and to achieve net zero across its operations, products, and supply chain (Scopes 1,2 and 3) by the end of 2040.
Dominic Burbridge, Director, Business Services at the Carbon Trust, said: “The Route to Net Zero Standard is an ambitious and challenging certification that demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to measuring and managing their emissions, developing robust carbon reduction strategies, and aligning targets for the future.
“We are delighted that Virgin Media O2 has been certified to the Advancing tier, leading the way for the UK telecoms sector. We look forward to our continued collaboration on their journey to net zero.”
The Better Connections Plan
As part of its sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan, Virgin Media O2 is taking action to cut carbon emissions across its business, and to help the UK to transition to a low carbon future.
On top of its plan to achieve net zero carbon, Virgin Media O2 is also committing to the Science Based Target initiative’s (SBTi) Net-Zero Standard, and has joined The Climate Pledge – a collective of more than 370 organisations committed to climate action and being net zero carbon by 2040.
The company is also a member of the Climate Group’s EV100 initiative where it has committed to transitioning its fleet of more than 4,000 vehicles to electric vehicles by the end of 2030.
In addition, Virgin Media O2 will use its gigabit broadband and 5G mobile networks to power next-generation technology and services that will support key sectors to decarbonise faster. This will help to enable Internet of Things (IoT) devices and Artificial Intelligence for cleaner transport including Connected Autonomous Vehicles; reduce traffic and congestion and improve air quality in the UK’s smart cities; and power smart factories of the future with automated production lines and advanced robotics for more efficient manufacturing.
Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “We’re proud Virgin Media O2 is one of the first companies in the UK to be recognised by the Carbon Trust for our commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions across our business, operations, and supply chain by the end of 2040.
“While this is an important step in our journey to become net zero, we know the climate crisis demands urgent action, and that’s why we’re going further for the planet, people and future generations with our sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan.
“By using our leading gigabit broadband and 5G mobile networks, we will power sustainable tech across the country to support communities and businesses, and help people to lead greener and more connected lives.”
ENDS
Virgin Media O2 has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by the end of 2040
By the end of 2025, Virgin Media O2 will:
- Reduce operational emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) by 60%
- Reduce Scope 3 emissions by 25%
- Neutralise operational emissions from 2025 onwards through investing in environmental restoration and long-term carbon storage projects which meet the highest standards
By the end of 2030, Virgin Media O2 will:
- Reduce operational emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) by 90%
- Reduce Scope 3 emissions by 50%
By the end of 2040, Virgin Media O2 will:
- Net Zero carbon across operations, products, and supply chain
- Reduce Scopes 1,2 and 3 emissions by 90%
- Offset residual 10% of value chain emissions to achieve net zero
In addition to its plan to cut carbon emissions, Virgin Media O2 is also committing to reducing e-waste:
- It will encourage customers to use O2 Recycle; to donate devices to those in need via Community Calling; and to use the Eco Ratingscheme to make greener device choice
- The company will build on the success of its ‘take back’ scheme where more than nine million routers and set-top boxes have been refurbished and reused since 2014
- Virgin Media O2 will also champion the re-use of materials again and again, in its operations and products. New products will be designed to be more easily refurbished and repaired to extend their lifecycle
- Virgin Media O2 will become a zero waste business by the end of 2025 by ensuring more than 95% of operational waste is recycled, and less than 5% will go to energy from waste facilities. This includes:
- All customer packaging for own branded products will become widely recyclable and contain zero single use plastic by the end of 2025
- The company will reuse or recycle 100% of all returned customer and network equipment
- Using recycled material and reused aggregate when building its network
- The company will be seeking validation of its near-term Science Based Targets and net zero goal by the SBTi, in line with the SBTi’s new ‘Net-Zero Standard’
- O2 first achieved the Carbon Trust Standard for carbon in 2010 and became the first mobile company in the world to achieve the Carbon Trust Triple Standard for carbon, waste, and water in 2014. In 2016, O2 also became one of the first organisations in the world to achieve the highest-level Carbon Trust Standard for supply chain in 2016
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