How Virgin Media O2 Will Achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2040
Telco Virgin Media O2 is powering ahead in its quest to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
The UK-based company has set the exacting target, which is 10 years ahead of the country’s own 2050 net zero aim.
And, according to its latest update, the 2024 Better Connections Plan, Virgin Media O2 is making rapid progress.
The report says it:
- Cut Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 56% against 2020 baseline
- Is on track to cut emissions by 90% by 2030 and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040
- Achieved 15% savings in data centre cooling energy
- Introduced 350 electric vehicles
- Empowered consumers to carry out 8.5 million circular actions through recycling old devices and selling ‘like new’ refurbished smartphones
- Prevented 4 million devices from going to landfill, through its O2 Recycle scheme.
A lasting impact on the planet
Virgin Media O2 CEO Lutz Schüler said: “To mark Earth Day, we’ve shared our latest sustainability performance which outlines the work we did in 2024 to ensure we have a lasting impact on our planet and the communities we serve.
“I’m proud that we’ve cut scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 56% against our 2020 baseline.
“We also remain on target to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040.”
The report sets out Virgin Media O2’s zero carbon future and circular economy commitments – then explains how they will be achieved.
Zero carbon future
The report says the telco is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions across its entire value chain – including operations, products and supply chain – by 2040.
It adds: “We’re also supporting large-scale decarbonisation by preventing 20 million tonnes of CO2 from entering Earth’s atmosphere by 2025.”
The aims are underpinned by SBTi-approved near-term and long-term targets, all starting from a 2020 base year:
- Reducing scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 90% by 2030 and reducing absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 50% within the same timeframe
- Maintain 90% absolute scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions reductions from 2030 through to 2040
- Reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 90% by 2040.
From targets to results
The report makes clear links between the company’s targets and how it will achieve them.
In terms of zero carbon future, Virgin Media O2 says it will:
- Continue to invest in renewable electricity and energy efficiency initiatives
- Cut carbon emissions from road journeys road as it transitions to electric vehicles by the end of 2030
- Collaborate with suppliers to adopt carbon reduction plans in line with science-based targets
- Partner with industry experts including the Carbon Trust to implement the latest best practices and science-based methodologies
- Use its TV platform, advertising, venues and partnerships to champion greener living
- Develop products and services that deliver sector-wide environmental benefits at scale
- Adopt IoT, AI and data insights to decarbonise the UK and restore our natural environment.
Driving the Circular Economy
The report says Virgin Media O2 is committed to delivering zero waste operations and products, ensuring 100% of customer packaging for own-branded products are widely recyclable and contain no single-use plastic by 2025, and reusing or recycling 100% of all returned customer and network equipment.
It also aims to extend the life of devices through circular solutions – repairing, recycling and reselling refurbished devices – and take a ‘reuse-first’ approach to its branded products and rely less on raw materials in new products.
This will be achieved by:
- Continuing to deploy the customer product take-back scheme, O2 Recycle
- Designing more circular products and accessories, including recycled content, that can be easily repaired and refurbished
- Creating circular business solutions that increase and incentivise taking back, repairing, refurbishing and reusing kit to extend the life of consumer and business products
- Launching consumer education and awareness campaigns to demystify e-waste, reduce hoarding and give electricals a second life
- Expanding solutions to help get second-hand devices out to communities that need them.
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