After DECC released figures claiming that the recession was the main factor
behind a fall in carbon emissions in the UK, O2 proves to be a good example
of a business which has managed to cut carbon while continuing to grow.

The mobile phone company has been recertified with the Carbon Trust
Standard for successfully measuring, managing and improving carbon
efficiency across its business by nearly 18%, based on turnover. In fact,
it was the first mobile network operator to be awarded the Carbon Trust
Standard, and is the first to be re-certified.

As part of the process, O2 has built a multi-million pound, state-of-
the-art head office using environmental management, smart technology and
flexible working to cut the office’s carbon emissions by 53%, plus a £2M
investment in over 7,000 electricity smart meters.

“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,”
says Ronan Dunne, the firm’s UK chief executive.

In the five years that O2’s performance has been measured by the Carbon
Trust Standard, the company has improved carbon efficiency by 22%, relative
to turnover. O2’s performance has been driven by the firm’s sustainability
programme called Think Big, part of which involves engaging O2’s 11,000
employees to get behind carbon reduction initiatives.

o2.com

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