BT is one of eight business and government organisations highlighted in this year's Climate Week NYC, the annual global forum that aims to mobilise an international public-private response to climate change, and to stimulate transformational action on the low carbon economy, by helping bring about the 'Clean Revolution' - the massive upscale of smart technologies, design and new business practices to tackle climate change.
In a case study authored by The Climate Group and presented during the opening ceremony for Climate Week NYC, BT was recognised for having taken a “pioneering, values-driven stance on carbon reduction... [The company] has set bold targets and has pursued continuous improvement in its energy reduction measures.”
The report states: “The ICT sector is at the forefront of developing and implementing technologies that will be central to the Clean Revolution. These smart energy technologies, together with measures to reduce the energy footprint of the sector, could reduce global emissions by as much as 15% by 2020 (1)... Through its everyday business, BT is acting as a catalyst for the Clean Revolution: first by demonstrating itself how emissions can be reduced, while still maintaining growth; and second by providing the tools and technology to enable others to follow.”
Mark Kenber, CEO of The Climate Group, said: “By realising the opportunities in the low carbon economy, BT is not only driving its own business growth, but is also helping to secure a better, smarter, safer, more prosperous world. BT's example proves that the Clean Revolution is not only possible - it's already under way.”
“The fundamental basis for our long-term commitment to sustainability is to reduce our negative effects on the environment, hand-in-hand with cost reduction, and leverage our experience to help our customers enhance their sustainability through innovative products and services (2),” said Richard Tarboton, Director of Energy and Carbon Programme, BT Group.
BT has set comprehensive and ambitious targets across a wide spectrum of sustainability indicators, including carbon and energy. Since 1997, it has achieved a 59% cut in net CO2 emissions. By 2020, BT aims to reduce its net CO2 emission intensity by 80% compared to 1997 levels.
The company is investing in a major upgrade of its systems to measure and control energy use across the network, by installing smart meters, building control systems and integrated energy management platforms in all its key buildings. In 2011, the company saved more than $28 million through its energy savings programme by finding innovative ways to reduce energy use.
Founded in 2004, The Climate Group works internationally with government and business leaders to advance the smart policies, technologies and finance needed to cut global greenhouse gas emissions and unlock a Clean Revolution. In its third year, Climate Week NYC brings together The Climate Group, Carbon Disclosure Project, China Centre, the United Nations Global Impact, the UN Foundation, The City of New York, and an array of international business, government, non-profit and thought-leaders to call for urgent action against climate change.
(1) For more details on the Clean Revolution and the full BT case study, go to: http://www.cleanrevolution.org.
(2) All press releases issued in the last two years by BT (including BT Global Services) are available at http://www.btplc.com/News/index.cfm.
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