Vodafone Target Net Zero Total Global Carbon Emissions by 2040

Mobile network operator Vodafone has today become the latest telecoms giant to make a major climate related commitment, which will see them reduce their total global carbon emissions to ‘net zero’ by 2040 (i.e. removing as many emissions as they produce) – ten years sooner than previously planned.

Just for comparison, Sky (Sky Broadband, Sky Mobile etc.) hopes to achieve net zero carbon by 2030, while BT (EE) expects to do this by 2045, Virgin Media has aligned itself with the RE100 initiative’s general 2050 target and O2 hope to be one of the first to reach this point by 2025 (we’re not sure if this will change after their merger with Virgin).

By comparison Vodafone aim to eliminate all carbon emissions from its own activities and from energy it purchases and uses (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030. On top of that they’ve also pledged to halve carbon emissions from Scope 3 sources, including joint ventures, all supply chain purchases, the use of products it has sold and business travel by the same date.

The final goal is to eliminated Scope 3 emissions completely by 2040, which brings forward by ten years Vodafone’s original 2050 ambition to reach ‘net zero’ across its full carbon footprint.

Nick Read, Vodafone Group CEO, said:

“Vodafone believes in leading by example, so today we have pledged to become fully ‘net zero’ by 2040 and the Science Based Targets initiative has confirmed that our 2030 carbon targets are in line with the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement.

We are committed to reduce our carbon footprint through improved energy efficiency, renewable energy supply, reducing our network waste and new environmental criteria when we select suppliers. Vodafone will also enable our customers to reduce their environmental footprint through use of our services, including the Internet of Things.”

Vodafone added that their 2030 carbon reduction targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and are in line with the reductions required to keep warming to 1.5°C, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement.

Vodafone’s Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and targets

1. Includes 5% reduction through carbon offsets.