Virgin Media O2 cuts carbon, champions the circular economy, and connects millions with free data, digital skills and devices

To mark Earth Day (22 April), Virgin Media O2 is announcing it has cut Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 56% 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% 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% 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% against a 2022 baseline.
• Continued to use 100% 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 leading the way in 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.

Virgin Media O2 has also relaunched its ‘Like New’ range of refurbished phones, offering consumers a great choice of second-hand devices which have gone through 40 quality checks to ensure they are in great condition.

In addition, more than 21,000 smartphones have been donated to Virgin Media O2’s Community Calling initiative with environmental charity, Hubbub, which sees devices rehomed to people in need.

Devices, data, and digital skills

Virgin Media O2 has helped more than six million people access digital skills training or support to help them feel more confident online – a year ahead of its 2025 target.

On top of this, more than 170,000 people experiencing data poverty were connected in 2024 thanks to the National Databank – which is like a foodbank but where people in need can access free O2 data, texts, and calls. Since it launched in 2021, the initiative founded by Virgin Media O2 and digital inclusion charity, Good Things Foundation, has connected 300,000 people. The National Databank is now available at more than 300 O2 stores nationwide, and in total at around 3,000 locations across the country. All new O2 stores will become National Databank Hubs, too.

The company has also:

• Launched a mobile social tariff, the O2 Essential Plan, which along with Essential Broadband, is available for people receiving certain government support payments,
• To date, rolled-out 2,000 internet-enabling Get Boxes in partnership with technology charity, Jangala, to help people in temporary accommodation get online,
• Provided tablets and smartphones to help people experiencing homelessness and domestic abuse get online so they can rebuild their lives through a £400,000 device lending scheme,
• Pledged to donate up to 12,000 devices to people in need across 2025. The smartphones are being sourced from Virgin Media O2’s customer returns and its O2 Recycle service to ensure unwanted devices are put back into circulation and given a second life,
• On top of this, the company is working in partnership with the Government and charity, Supporting Children with Diabetes, to provide donated smartphones to help children of low-income families access technology so they can monitor their blood glucose levels.

Nicola Green, Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at Virgin Media O2, said:

“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.”