The programme’s 2020 goal aims to help customers reduce carbon emissions by at least three times the end-to-end carbon impact of BT’s own business.

In developing the latest Home Hub 5 model, BT says it kept the router’s carbon footprint to a minimum by analysing its environmental profile to ever greater depths.

Lifecycle analysis revealed that three major factors affected environmental performance of the hubs – materials used in manufacture and packaging, electrical power consumption, and transport – especially the last mile for delivery or collection.

On the packaging front, BT has already engineered in better reuse and material optimisation through its ‘Swap Box’ concept and slimming down the shape of the router so it fits through a letterbox, thus saving on vehicle journeys for redelivery.

The next-generation of Home Hubs – the 5 model and beyond – will carry several innovative features to reduce power usage. Since electricity consumption is usually the biggest factor in the home broadband carbon footprint, these models will automatically switch to power saving mode when idle.

VDSL technology is also built into the device which means that it doesn’t require a separate modem unlike previous hub models.

BT says its Net Good environmental benefit arises from a power reduction of up to 30% when the Hub 5 model is deployed with BT Infinity, compared with previous BT Home Hub configurations – with the potential to save around 13,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Last year edie revealed how BT is looking to become a front-runner with its Net Positive agenda through greater collaboration with other business pioneers to deliver best practice and scalable change.

Maxine Perella

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