Vodafone has announced that it will reduce its total global carbon emissions to net zero by 2040. By 2030, it says it aims to eliminate all carbon emissions from its own activities, and by 2040 it’ll eliminate emissions from Scope 3 sources such as joint ventures, supply chain purchases, the use of products it sells and business travel.
According to the firm, it had originally planned to meet the goal by 2050 but under current plans, this is brought forward a decade. This year, its Scope 1 & 2 emissions reached 1.84 million tCO2e, by 2030, this will be reduced by 100%. Its Scope 3 emission reached 11.9 million tCO2e this year and by 2030 will be reduced by 50% before being eliminated entirely in 2040.
Commenting on the plans, Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read, 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.”
The contribution from firms such as Vodafone to reducing their emissions is vital if we hope to keep the increase in global average temperature to below 1.5°C/2.7°F compared to pre-industrial levels. An increase above those temperatures will see an intensification of droughts, cyclones, and floods which will impact food security, water security and property.
