Airtel accelerates green energy adoption to combat climate change

In a bid to support the global fight against climate, Bharti Airtel has announced the plan to switch to accelerate the adoption of green energy across its entire network operations. 

The homegrown telco has joined Science Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) ‘Business Ambition for 1.5°C’ campaign to reduce the carbon footprint and emissions from its network. It has also committed towards accelerating the adoption of energy-efficient infrastructure and processes as well as implementing sustainable business practices at its workplaces.  

SBTi is a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). 

With these commitments, Airtel aims to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50.2% and absolute scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 42%. Both targets will be achieved by FY 2031, the company said. 

“Climate change is the biggest challenge facing humanity. We must act collectively without further delay to ensure we do not go past the point of no return and have a sustainable planet,” Vidyut Gulati, legal director at Bharti Airtel, said.  

“Businesses have a fundamental responsibility to contribute to this effort and Airtel has adopted an ambitious target in this direction and will report its progress transparently,” he added. 

In addition to this, Airtel has also joined the United Nations (UN) Global Compact framework, the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world. As a signatory, the company will align its comprehensive Environmental, Societal and Governance (ESG) initiatives to the global body’s 10 principles spanning environment, human rights, anti-corruption and labor. It is also aligned with the Paris Climate Accord. 

From FY 2016, Airtel has achieved 97% reduction in network emission intensity for mobile operations and increased renewable energy deployment in operations by 25%. For the FY ending 2021, Airtel saved 667 tonnes paper sheets with e-bills initiative and recycled 5,554.3 tonnes of e-waste.