BT energy efficiency cost savings near £300m

BT's products and services helped customers cut their carbon emissions by 11.7 million tonnes during 2018, up 200,000 tonnes on the previous year, according to the telecommunications giant's latest annual sustainability report.

Overall, the firm cut its global end-to-end emissions by 7.4 per cent over the course of the year, continuing progress towards its goal of becoming a net zero carbon business by 2045.

The firm also pushed up the proportion of its power that is generated by renewable electricity to 87 per cent, a six per cent increase on the previous year. The improvement was driven in part by two new energy deals signed at the end of last year, which mean that 96 per cent of the firm's global operations are currently powered by renewable electricity. The deals mean the firm is just a whisker away from meeting its goal of purchasing 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2020.

One of those deals, for the UK's biggest mobile phone network EE, is on course to save almost 100,000 tonnes of CO2 a year, the report adds.

The report also provides an update on the company's energy efficiency programmes, which are said to saved over £298m since 2009/10.

"Climate action makes sense for business and through our people, products and services we've been able to take some dramatic steps towards tackling one of society's biggest challenges," said Gabrielle Giner, head of environmental sustainability at BT.

However, she added the company would need support from policymakers and partners as it seeks to maintain its progress and deliver the deep decarbonisation that is required in a net zero emission economy.

"As we work towards our own net zero target, we need the support of policymakers so that we can make the most of the positive momentum being generated," she said. "We're ready to take up the challenge and we hope that others join us in setting their own 1.5 degree pathway targets."