Virgin Media O2 Puts Mobile at Heart of Net Zero Mission
Virgin Media O2 is stepping up its journey to net zero carbon emissions by 2040, with a clear focus on mobile sustainability and circular technology.
The telco outlines how it’s combining climate action with connectivity in its 2024 Better Connections Plan, showing strong progress against its climate goals and a commitment to reducing environmental impact across mobile networks, devices and services.
The UK operator’s ambition goes beyond regulatory compliance.
It plans to hit net zero across its entire value chain — covering direct operations, supply chain and product use — ten years ahead of the UK’s national target.
From electric vans and AI-powered carbon tracking to refurbished phones and recyclable packaging, the company is building a future where mobile technology and sustainability go hand in hand.
Cutting carbon across mobile networks and operations
Virgin Media O2 reports a 56% drop in its Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions compared with its 2020 baseline.
These emissions cover direct company operations, such as data centres and offices.
The company aims to reduce these emissions by 90% by 2030 and maintain that cut through to 2040.
As mobile networks continue to expand, energy demand follows.
The company has tackled this by improving data centre energy efficiency — achieving 15% savings in cooling energy — and by switching to renewable electricity.
It also plans to continue investing in energy-efficient upgrades across its infrastructure.
To tackle transport emissions, Virgin Media O2 has introduced 350 electric vehicles so far, with full electrification of its vehicle fleet planned by 2030.
The shift away from fossil fuels plays a vital role in its target to prevent 20 million tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere by 2025.
CEO Lutz Schüler says: “To mark Earth Day, we’ve shared our latest sustainability performance which outlines the work we did in 2024 to ensure we have a lasting impact on our planet and the communities we serve.”
He adds: “I’m proud that we’ve cut scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 56% against our 2020 baseline.
“We also remain on target to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.”
Building a greener mobile lifecycle
One of Virgin Media O2’s key sustainability strategies is building a circular economy around mobile devices.
The company reports 8.5 million circular actions taken by customers so far, largely through recycling and reselling schemes.
Its O2 Recycle initiative alone has kept 4 million devices out of landfills. This approach is essential to extending the life of tech and reducing waste, which helps the company move towards its goal of zero waste operations.
Virgin Media O2 has pledged that by 2025, 100% of customer packaging for its own-brand products will be recyclable and contain no single-use plastics.
It’s also designing mobile products and accessories that are easier to repair and include more recycled materials.
- Expanding take-back schemes and consumer awareness campaigns to reduce e-waste and hoarding
- Repairing and reselling refurbished phones through its retail channels
- Partnering with community initiatives to distribute second-hand devices to people who need them
- Using a ‘reuse-first’ approach in the design and production of new products
These efforts reflect an end-to-end strategy that minimises raw material use while offering quality refurbished alternatives, especially important as mobiles remain central to people’s lives.
Using mobile tech to scale up climate action
Beyond its own operations, Virgin Media O2 wants to help other sectors decarbonise using its mobile infrastructure.
The company is investing in Internet of Things (IoT), AI and big data solutions to create environmental benefits at scale.
From remote monitoring to smart grid support, these technologies reduce emissions by optimising energy use and reducing waste.
Virgin Media O2 is also using its advertising, venues and TV platforms to promote greener behaviour and sustainable living.
The company works closely with the Carbon Trust and other partners to align its carbon reduction methods with the latest science-based targets.
Its targets are verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and include:
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Reducing Scope 3 emissions by 50% by 2030
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Achieving a 90% reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2040
As part of its net-zero push, the company is also working with suppliers to implement low-carbon supply chain strategies in line with climate science.
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