Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) has claimed it is “on track” to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its operations, products and supply chain by the end of 2040 – 10 years ahead of the UK’s net zero goal. 

As a result, the telecoms giant revealed it reduced its scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 23% last year.

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Since launching its sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan, in 2022, the company has reduced such emissions by 45% against its 2020 baseline, it stated.

Meanwhile, it attributed the prevention of “nearly 60 million tonnes of carbon from entering the Earth’s atmosphere” to the deployment of emerging technologies like smart meters and electric vehicles (EVs).

It also increased its electric fleet to 281 vehicles as part of its overall target to transition to a fully EV fleet by 2030. 

Other highlights include the company supporting customers in completing 4.7 million ‘circular actions‘ towards its goal of 10 million by the end of 2025 and the O2 Recycle scheme seeing almost 250,000 devices saved from landfills last year.

VMO2 CEO, Lutz Schüler, said: “Our Better Connections Plan makes clear that we are a business that aims to deliver for our customers, for our communities and our planet, and we made further strong progress across the board last year. 

“We are on track to meet our targets to cut Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 60% by 2025 and deliver net zero carbon by 2040. We are supporting decarbonisation through the products and services we provide, encouraging circular actions among consumers, cutting our use of plastic, and stepping up to support the communities we serve through initiatives designed to boost skills, tackle digital exclusion and provide free data and devices to those in need.”

Schüler added: “As a major UK business, we’re committed to reducing our environmental impact as we continue to provide fast and reliable connectivity to our millions of customers.”