Broadband, mobile and TV giant Virgin Media and O2 (VMO2) has revealed that they’ve reduced carbon emissions by 56% against their 2020 baseline (up from 45% last year). At the same time, they also increased their fleet of Electric Vehicles (EV) to 350 (up from 281) – edging slowly toward their target to transition to a fully EV fleet by 2030 (c. 4,300 vehicles).
The figures were released as part of VMO2’s update to their sustainability strategy (Better Connections Plan), which among other things aims to achieve Net Zero Carbon (i.e. removing as many emissions as they produce) across their operations, products and supply chain by 2040 – some 10 years ahead of the UK’s goal.
The data suggests that VMO2 remains “on track” to meet its near-term Science Based Target goal of reducing operational emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) by 90% come 2030. In addition, the operator said it had already achieved 15% savings in Data Centre cooling energy across 20 sites, eliminated plastic packaging from own-brand products delivered to customers and worked with suppliers to cut plastic packaging at source by 27% against a 2022 baseline.
On top of that, VMO2 has continued to use 100% renewable energy across sites where it controls the bill and introduced a programme to reduce Scope 3 carbon emissions from its supply chain. Since 2022, the company has also helped people take 8.5 million “circular actions” as part of its 10 million goal by the end of 2025 (i.e. recycling tech such as smartphones and tablets via O2 Recycle – they’ve so far processed more than 4 million devices and paid out £350m to consumers).
Furthermore, over 170,000 people experiencing data poverty were connected in 2024 thanks to the National Databank scheme (i.e. like a foodbank but where people in need can access free O2 data, texts, and calls), which is now available at more than 300 O2 stores nationwide, and in total 3,000 locations across the country. Speaking of which, more than 21,000 smartphones have been donated to VMO2’s Community Calling initiative with environmental charity, Hubbub, which sees devices rehomed to people in need.
VMO2’s Other Commitments:
· Launched a mobile social tariff, the O2 Essential Plan, which along with Essential Broadband, is available for people receiving certain government support payments,
· Rolled-out 2,000 internet-enabling Get Boxes in partnership with technology charity, Jangala, to help people in temporary accommodation get online,
· Provided tablets and smartphones to help people experiencing homelessness and domestic abuse get online so they can rebuild their lives through a £400,000 device lending scheme,
· Pledged to donate up to 12,000 devices to people in need across 2025. The smartphones are being sourced from Virgin Media O2’s customer returns and its O2 Recycle service to ensure unwanted devices are put back into circulation and given a second life,
· The company is now working in partnership with the Government and charity, Supporting Children with Diabetes, to provide donated smartphones to help children of low-income families access technology so they can monitor their blood glucose levels.
Nicola Green, Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at VMO2, said:
“With our Better Connections Plan, Virgin Media O2 is leading the way in helping people to live more sustainable lives.
As we enter the final year of our industry-leading sustainability strategy, we will continue to lead as a sustainable and responsible business that strives to make a positive difference across the UK.
Whether it’s cutting carbon, tackling e-waste, or helping those in need to get online, we’ll continue to use our purpose, people and products to have a lasting impact on the planet and the communities we serve.”
