Virgin Media UK Commits to Only Using 100% Renewable Electricity

The latest Sustainability Report from cable TV and broadband ISP Virgin Media UK has revealed that they’ve reduced their carbon footprint by 22% since 2014 (fuel and electricity use) and they’ve also committed to using only 100% renewable energy, which is being underlined by their decision to join the RE100 initiative.

The new report reveals that in 2018 Virgin Media sourced 100% of its contracted electricity (i.e. representing 99.5% of their total electricity consumption – the remaining 0.5% relates to shipperless sites that will be covered by 2020), used across its UK and Ireland operations, from renewable sources. Now, by joining RE100, they’re making a long term commitment to supporting the UK’s drive to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

We should point out that the 22% reduction in their carbon footprint also equates to an 80% reduction per TeraByte of data since 2014, although this calculation is based off the location-based method (i.e. reflecting the average emissions intensity of grids). If the market-based method is used (i.e. reflecting their choice to purchase renewable electricity) then the reduction is 88% since 2014 or 97% per TeraByte of data.

The report also notes that Virgin diverted 91% of office waste from landfill and reduced fleet fuel by 9% saving 1,200 tCO2e, meaning on average, their car fleet is below 100gCO2/km for the first time.

Jeanie York, CITO at Virgin Media, said:

“We’re delighted to be signing up to the RE100 initiative and playing our part in supporting the UK’s goal to increase the availability of renewable electricity and to help drive down carbon emissions.

It’s vital that businesses make long term commitments to reducing consumption and using renewable energy: we’re actively using our business, brand and people to create a positive impact for our customers and the communities we serve.”

Key Highlights from the Report

· Supporting more than 121,000 disabled people with information, skills and advice to gain the skills and confidence to get into and stay in work following the launch of the Support to Work service with its charity partner Scope

· Creating opportunities for 112,947 small business to grow through digital since 2015.

· Releasing product scorecard results for the Virgin TV V6 box – now used by 60% of TV subscribers – which reveals it uses less than half the power of the previous TiVo box and uses 21% fewer materials by weight, like plastics, metals and electronics.

· Training more than 8,000 employees in disability and vulnerability awareness.

· Reducing energy consumption year-on-year by 2%, contributing to a 22% reduction in Virgin Media’s carbon footprint since 2014.

· Reducing single-use plastic by over 60 tonnes (e.g. removing plastic packaging from their uniform supply chain, Quick-Start boxes and logistics operation).

· Reducing paper from direct marketing by 70% since 2014.