Vodafone PLC announced its commitment to cut total global carbon emissions to net-zero by 2040, instead of the original 2050 goal.
By 2030, Vodafone will eliminate all carbon emissions from its own activities and from energy it purchases and uses, extending to the rest of its operations (such as waste generation and business travel) by 2040.
The telecoms giant said these targets were approved by the Science Based Targets initiative, backed by the United Nations and the WWF among others, and is in line with reductions required to keep warming to 1.5°C, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement.
Last year, the FTSE 100 firm committed to purchasing all electricity from renewable sources, halving its environmental footprint by 2025 and reusing, reselling or recycling 100% of its network waste, supporting the move towards a more circular economy.
By no later than July 2021, Vodafone's European network will be powered by 100% renewable electricity - creating a Green Gigabit Net for customers across 11 markets that will grow sustainably using only power from wind, solar or hydro sources.
"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,” said chief executive Nick Read in a statement.
“Vodafone will also enable our customers to reduce their environmental footprint through use of our services, including the Internet of Things."