The Digital Connectivity Forum is delighted to announce the launch of a pledge for collaborative action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from the supply chain. The pledge, which is signed by many big mobile and broadband ISPs marks a positive step in an important journey, as the industry strives towards net zero.
The commitment follows a roundtable meeting in May, convened by Ofcom and Accenture, where twelve telecoms and network infrastructure companies were invited to discuss and identify priority areas where they could work together to reduce GHG emissions in the supply chain.
The participants have committed to work via the Digital Connectivity Forum’s Climate & Sustainability Work Group, to building industry consensus on these areas to drive action, ahead of COP28, while ensuring compliance with Competition Law.
The DCF Climate & Sustainability Work Group (CSWG) provides a platform for the facilitation of UK Telecoms collaboration, enabling the acceleration of individual and industry path(s) towards net zero through collaboration, evidence sourcing and providing expert recommendations to Government, regulators and the industry.
The group will meet a further four times before the end of COP28 and will collaborate with other telecoms groupings and bodies that are committed to tackling climate change.
We commend the collaborative commitment of these companies in reducing the climate impact of the telecoms sector. By understanding and addressing the complexities of the industry, we can pave the way for industry-wide transformation. The enthusiasm and support for the DCF’s climate working group are inspiring, and we look forward to their proposals ahead of COP28.
Alex Mather, Head of the Digital Connectivity Forum
The Digital Connectivity Forum welcomes the signatories’ commitment to work together to reduce GHG emissions and support the sector and nation’s net zero ambitions. Individual companies within the telecoms sector have long-established commitments at a company level, however the UK telecoms industry is a complex and interlinked system. It is therefore essential that the sector collaborates and works together to address these challenges and achieves industry-wide transformation. I am delighted by the enthusiasm and support for the DCF’s working group on climate issues, and look forward to the work that it will undertake.
Will Ennett, Chair of the Digital Connectivity Forum Climate & Sustainability Work Group & Head of Sustainability, TalkTalk
We welcome the commitment of these companies to work together to reduce the climate impact of the sector. Better understanding the supply chain is as critical for sustainability as it is for security, so this is the right focus. We look forward to seeing further specific proposals ahead of COP 28
Ed Leighton, Director of Strategy & Policy at Ofcom
Companies have a leading role in scaling the ambition of a more sustainable future into a reality. The commitment we saw from all participants at May’s roundtable to work together and identify priority areas for collaboration will accelerate the innovative solutions and sustainability services needed for real action. We will continue to support the members of the Digital Connectivity Forum with insights on embedding sustainability as a core objective in the communications industry.
Toby Siddall, Sustainability Lead, Accenture UK & Ireland
You can learn more about the statement of commitment and those companies who are signed up to it here.
