Virgin Media O2 Cuts Carbon Emissions 56%, Targets Net Zero

Virgin Media O2 is not waiting around. As part of its 2024 Better Connections Plan, the UK telecoms group outlines how it’s accelerating action on climate, tackling emissions across its supply chain and operations.

The company aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040—ten years ahead of the UK Government’s national target.

At the heart of this plan is a focus on cutting greenhouse gases throughout its entire value chain. That means looking beyond just company vehicles and office lighting.

Virgin Media O2 is digging into how its suppliers operate, how products are made and how long devices last once they’re in consumers’ hands.

The telecom firm has cut its direct emissions, classified as Scope 1 and Scope 2, by 56% compared to 2020 levels. Scope 1 covers emissions from sources the company owns, like fuel burnt in vehicles, while Scope 2 relates to indirect emissions from purchased electricity.

However, the real challenge lies in Scope 3 emissions. These include everything from supplier activities to the carbon footprint of products once in use by customers.

Virgin Media O2 says it is on track to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 50% by 2030 and then by 90% by 2040. These goals are part of a science-based target initiative (SBTi), which verifies corporate climate targets against scientific criteria designed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

To reach these figures, the company is turning to a mix of supplier engagement, product innovation and digital solutions. It is requiring suppliers to create their own science-aligned carbon reduction plans and aims to decarbonise the value chain in line with those targets.

The company is also investing in renewable electricity and energy efficiency projects to power operations and is phasing in electric vehicles across its fleet. It has already introduced 350 electric vans on the road. It expects this move to cut down further on carbon emissions associated with its logistics and maintenance teams.

On top of this, it reports a 15% reduction in energy used to cool its data centres - a vital move, considering the high energy demands of telecoms infrastructure.

Embracing circular practices

A major component of the supply chain strategy is Virgin Media O2’s commitment to the circular economy - a model where resources are reused, repaired or recycled instead of being discarded. The company says it is reducing waste and dependency on raw materials by giving old devices a new life.

Through O2 Recycle, a take-back scheme for unwanted electronics, the company says it’s prevented four million devices from ending up in landfill. In total, 8.5 million “circular actions”, from recycling to buying refurbished phones, have been carried out by customers.

Virgin Media O2 plans to go further. By 2025, all packaging for its own-branded products will be widely recyclable and free of single-use plastics. Returned customer and network equipment will be either reused or recycled. It is also designing new products that can be easily repaired or refurbished, often using recycled components.

Part of the plan includes expanding educational campaigns to help people understand e-waste and encourage them to return old devices instead of leaving them in drawers. It also wants to deliver second-hand devices to those who need them most, extending digital access while cutting environmental impact.

Collaborating for long-term impact

The report makes it clear Virgin Media O2 cannot hit these targets alone. It is partnering with organisations like the Carbon Trust to ensure best practice in emission reductions. It’s also using its platform to champion climate messaging—through advertising, content, and partnerships.

Digital innovation plays a key role. The company is turning to technologies like the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics to reduce emissions and improve efficiency across the network and the supply chain.

Chief Executive Officer Lutz Schüler sums up the company’s approach: "To mark Earth Day, we’ve shared our latest sustainability performance which outlines the work we did in 2024 to ensure we have a lasting impact on our planet and the communities we serve."

He adds: "I’m proud that we’ve cut scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 56% against our 2020 baseline. We also remain on target to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040."

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