Ericsson cuts carbon emissions

By Staff Writer for Ericsson
Johannesburg, 08 Jun 2009

Ericsson has released its annual corporate responsibility and sustainability report, stating the company has exceeded its targets for cutting energy use.

Ericsson CEO Carl-Henric Svanberg says: “During 2008, our technology has been used around the globe to reduce energy consumption and the corresponding carbon dioxide emissions, demonstrating our firm belief that telecommunications is both an essential part of the equation in solving global climate change and critical to the development of more carbon-lean societies.”

He adds that Ericsson has played a role in bringing telecommunications to the poor in sub-Saharan Africa, and helping communities to access basic services and information.

Last year, Ericsson set its first group-level carbon footprint target, aiming for a 40% reduction over five years, and starting with a 10% reduction in 2009.

Ericsson says in a statement that it provided telecom infrastructure, mobile applications and expertise to connect half a million people as part of the Millennium Villages project. Some 60% of the villages have now been connected, covering 55% of the Millennium Villages population.

According to Ericsson, it has established a Mobile Innovation Centre, with hubs in Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya, to develop mobile applications suited to the needs of sub-Saharan populations, including the rural poor. The innovation centre focuses on healthcare, education, agriculture and small-business development solutions, as well as weather data.