The carbon reduction comes as Virgin Media O2’s net zero plans – to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its operations, products and supply chain (Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions) by the end of 2040 – have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Virgin Media O2’s sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan, was launched a year ago. The company has reported progress against the plan’s goals over the past 12 months, with achievements across all three areas: carbon, circularity and communities.
In addition to reducing carbon emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 29 per cent in 2022 against its 2020 baseline, the company has supported consumers to carry out 2.4 million ‘circular actions’ in 2022 against its 10 million 2025 goal. This included encouraging customers to buy 'like new’ second-hand devices and using the O2 Recycle initiative to sustainably dispose of unwanted tech.
The company also announced a £500,000 e-waste fund, providing grants of up to £75,000 to community groups across the UK to tackle e-waste and promote circularity.
Additionally, it has reported that more than 1.5 million people have been supported in improving their digital skills via its strategic partnerships with Good Things Foundation and Internet Matters. The company has now extended its goal, aiming to support six million people instead of its original goal of two million, by the end of 2025.
Other achievements highlighted include introducing more than 70 electric vans with a pledge to electrify its fleet by the end of 2030, and rehoming more than 15,000 smartphones combined with free data, texts and calls through its Community Calling initiative.
“With the backing of the SBTi, as well as the Carbon Trust, we’re on track to deliver our net zero carbon plan by the end of 2040 – ten years ahead of the UK’s net zero goal – reducing carbon emissions in-line with best-practice climate science,” said Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2.
“We’ll build on this positive progress and continue to use our purpose, people and products to have a long-lasting impact on society and the planet so everyone can live in a greener, more sustainable world.”
This activity is also underpinned by Virgin Media O2’s work in partnership with its Youth Advisory Council.
Established last year, the Youth Advisory Council is described by Virgin Media O2 as “a diverse group of Gen Z activists which act as advisors and a sounding board” to ensure its sustainability strategy is “grounded in the needs of future generations”.