O2 gets better connected on carbon

O2 has been recertified with the Carbon Trust Standard for successfully measuring, managing and improving carbon efficiency across its business by nearly 18%1, based on turnover.

O2 was the first mobile network operator to be awarded the Carbon Trust Standard in January 2009. In the last two years the company has honed its energy efficiency strategies even further to cut carbon emissions by nearly 30,000 tonnes CO2e.  In doing so, O2 has become the first mobile operator to be recertified by the Carbon Trust Standard.

Ronan Dunne, UK Chief Executive, O2, said:
“The Carbon Trust Standard is the de facto UK mark of commitment to carbon reduction.  By retaining the Carbon Trust Standard we’ve proved that by using technology to measure energy usage, connect people, and encourage new ways of working - we can make a major difference to climate change.”

In total, over the five years O2’s performance has been measured by the Carbon Trust Standard, the company has improved carbon efficiency by 22%, relative to turnover.

To achieve the Carbon Trust Standard, organisations must firstly measure their direct carbon footprint (for example, onsite fuel and electricity use), prove that good carbon management practices are in place and demonstrate genuine reduction in their emissions over a three year period.

The Carbon Trust Standard certificate is valid for two years.  The recertification is equally robust and demands an even greater focus on carbon reduction since companies typically have targeted ‘low hanging’ fruit during their first certification.

Initiatives undertaken by O2 to meet the Carbon Trust Standard range from:

• The launch of a major sustainability programme called Think Big, part of which involves engaging O2’s 11,000 employees to get behind carbon reduction initiatives.
• Setting in place a carbon reduction target to reduce ‘Carbon per Connection’ by 40% by 2015.
• The multi-million pound development of a new, state-of-the-art head office campus, using environmental management, smart technology and flexible working to cut the office’s carbon emissions by 53%.
• £2m investment in 7,000+ electricity smart meters, rolled out in company cell sites, offices and retail outlets over the last three years.
• A £750,000 investment in power quality monitoring for data centres.
• A £300,000 investment in micro wind turbines to test feasibility for installation at cell sites and O2’s main office buildings.

Harry Morrison, General Manager, the Carbon Trust Standard, said:
“We are delighted to recertify O2’s ongoing commitment to carbon reduction.  O2’s ability to seek out new areas to improve energy efficiency proves that, with the right level of skills, tenacity, and support, it’s possible to improve carbon efficiency year-on-year – which has a hugely positive effect on the business.”

O2’s carbon efficiency gains certified via the Carbon Trust Standard have reinforced its CEO-led Think Big sustainability programme, which is built upon O2’s mission of becoming a recognised business leader on sustainability by 2012.

As well as getting its ‘house in order’ by increasing efficiency and cutting carbon, Think Big is also focused on helping its consumer and corporate customers to reduce their own carbon footprints through the use of technology, and creating more awareness of the environmental impact of products through eco-rating.

By 2020, it’s estimated that the telecoms sector can help cut global carbon emissions by around five times the sector’s own CO2, which equates to £475 billion in saved costs2. 

Recently, O2’s UK Chief Executive, Ronan Dunne joined business leaders, Ian Cheshire of Kingfisher; Lord Sharman of Aviva; Mark Elborne of GE, and Richard Evans of Pepsico UK & Ireland, in launching the Carbon Trust’s Green Growth campaign.

The campaign calls for UK business leaders to capitalise on over £112bn a year and 900,000 jobs which are available from the low carbon economy.

Research from the Carbon Trust reveals that 92% of business leaders believe green growth represents an opportunity for their business, but only a third are actually investing money in the research and development of green products and services.  For more information, visit: www.carbontrust.co.uk/greengrowth

¹ The Carbon Trust Standard recertification was awarded for an 18% improvement in carbon efficiency, relative to turnover, between April 1st 2008 – March 31st 2010.

² 2008 Research by the Global e-Sustainability Initiative and The Climate Group, ‘SMART 2020’: www.gesi.org

The Carbon Trust Standard

• All businesses and organisations, both in the UK and internationally, are eligible to apply for the Carbon Trust Standard including FTSEs, mid caps, SMEs and public sector organisations. Organisations that are awarded the Carbon Trust Standard hold it for a two year period and to maintain the certification they must reapply and demonstrate that they have continued to make year-on-year reductions in their carbon emissions.
• Organisations wanting information about getting the Carbon Trust Standard can call: 0800 019 1443 or visit www.carbontruststandard.com.
• View Organisations that are certified with the Carbon Trust Standard
• There are over 450 organisations that have achieved the Carbon Trust Standard. Total carbon footprint certified by the Carbon Trust Standard is now over 38 million tonnes of CO2e. This is equivalent to over 11% of the total carbon footprint of UK businesses and transport.
• Through a commitment to continually reducing their carbon footprint, Carbon Trust Standard achievers have together cut their emissions by over 3 million tonnes of CO2e and have saved the equivalent of £138 million associated with reductions in gas, electricity and fuel use.

About the Carbon Trust

The Carbon Trust is a not-for-profit company with the mission to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy, providing specialist support to business and the public sector to help cut carbon emissions, save energy and commercialise low carbon technologies.  By stimulating low carbon action we contribute to key UK goals of lower carbon emissions, the development of low carbon businesses, increased energy security and associated jobs.

We help to cut carbon emissions now by:

• Providing specialist advice and finance to help organisations cut carbon
• Setting standards for carbon reduction

We reduce potential future carbon emissions by:

• Opening markets for low carbon technologies
• Leading industry collaborations to commercialise technologies
• Investing in early stage low carbon companies

About O2

• Telefónica O2 UK Limited is a leading communications company for consumers and businesses in the UK, with 22 million mobile customers and over 700,000 fixed broadband customers as at 30 September 2010.
• Telefónica O2 UK Limited is part of Telefónica Europe plc, a business division of Telefónica S.A. which uses O2 as its commercial brand in the UK, Ireland, Slovakia, Germany and the Czech Republic, and has 55.3 million customers across these markets.
• In 2006 Telefónica Europe acquired Be, the UK fixed broadband provider, and in October 2007 O2 launched its broadband service using the Be network.
• O2 is the naming rights partner of The O2, the world-class entertainment venue.
• O2 employs around 11,000 people in the UK and has 490 retail stores.
• O2 was ranked highest in customer satisfaction for both UK mobile and fixed broadband customers according to the J.D. Power and Associates UK Mobile and Fixed Broadband Studies 2010.
• In October 2010 O2 was voted the UK’s best mobile by the readers of both What Mobile and Mobile Choice magazine.
• O2’s UK mobile network covers 99% of the UK’s population. O2’s 3G network covers over 84% of the UK population and is fully HSDPA-enabled, providing speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps for customers with an HSDPA-enabled device.
• Telefónica Europe also owns 50% of Tesco Mobile, which operates in the UK and Ireland, and 50% of Tchibo Mobilfunk in Germany.
• For further press information about O2 go to www.o2.co.uk/news