Virgin Media has signed up to The Climate Group’s RE100 initiative, joining a group of leading businesses committed to increasing the generation and consumption of renewable electricity across the UK and around the world.
Virgin Media’s 2018 Sustainability Report, published today, reveals that in 2018 it sourced 100% of its contracted electricity, used across its UK and Ireland operations, from renewable sources. Now, by joining RE100, Virgin Media is making a long term commitment to supporting the UK’s drive to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
This commitment further supports Virgin Media’s goal to grow the business without increasing its carbon footprint. While expanding its gigabit capable network to connect millions more homes and businesses through Project Lightning, Virgin Media has also reduced its carbon footprint by 22% and by 80% per terabyte of data since 2014.
This has been achieved through a range of interventions such as investing in newer, more efficient equipment and smart energy management, enabling Virgin Media to improve the environmental impact of its network while also launching new products, increasing speeds and meeting the exponential customer demand for data.
Jeanie York, Chief Information and Technology Officer at Virgin Media, said “We’re delighted to be signing up to the RE100 initiative and playing our part in supporting the UK’s goal to increase the availability of renewable electricity and to help drive down carbon emissions.
“It’s vital that businesses make long term commitments to reducing consumption and using renewable energy: we’re actively using our business, brand and people to create a positive impact for our customers, people and the communities we serve.”
Sam Kimmins, Head of RE100 at The Climate Group, commented: “It’s fantastic to welcome Virgin Media to the RE100 initiative, committed to using 100% renewable electricity across their operations. This is a great example of a UK-based company stepping up to deliver the practical steps towards a net zero carbon economy.”
Virgin Media’s carbon footprint performance is revealed as it publishes its 2018 Sustainability Report, which provides performance updates for the penultimate year of its 5-year sustainability strategy and goals.
