O2 to become first net-zero mobile network

O2 has announced plans to be the first mobile network to become net-zero by 2025.

In order to become net-zero, the company will encourage the landlords of the sites that host their masts to switch to renewable energy providers.

This will provide UK consumers and businesses with a mobile network where calls, texts and data are powered solely by renewable energy.

The company will also reduce its emissions within their supply chain, including the production of the handsets, they hope to reduce emissions by 30% in the next five years.

They will work with Telefonica to implement carbon reduction targets to encourage their suppliers to accelerate their efforts to reduce emissions.

Mark Evans, CEO of O2 said: ‘Today, we’re putting a stake in the ground. We want to go further and faster, setting the bar in our industry to tackle climate change and build the greenest network for our customers.

‘Every office, every store, every mast. We will get the changes done to be a Net Zero Business by 2025.

‘Mobile can play a pivotal role to make our country more sustainable. From smart metering to smarter working. O2 will work with suppliers, partners and customers to ensure that this industry plays its part in delivering a greener country for us all.’

Head of climate change at the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), Gareth Redmond-King commented on this announcement: ‘More and more companies can see that writing is on the wall, and the time to act on the climate crisis is now.

‘O2’s pledge is one more piece of the global puzzle to cut emissions and restore nature – if we want to prevent a climate and nature breakdown we need to see even more businesses following their lead towards a greener future.’

In related news, in October 2019, O2 had diverted over three million devices from landfills through its recycling programme, which encourages consumers to dispose of their old phones sustainably and responsibly when upgrading.

The O2 Recycle scheme was launched ten years ago and since its launch, O2 has received and successfully recycled over three million phones from approximately 2.7 million customers.

Photo Credit – Pixabay