Climate change

The ‘greenhouse effect’ describes the infrared radiation reflected from the Earth that becomes trapped in the upper atmosphere by a blanket of gases. It's a natural phenomenon, which makes the Earth's surface sufficiently warm to sustain life.

However, over the last 200 years the industrialised world has been producing an increasing concentration of the gases that cause this effect, leading to fears of a long-term change in global climate.

Of the so-called 'greenhouse' gases, carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most significant.

Others include methane, nitrogen oxides and chlorofluorocarbons.

The general view is that 'the balance of evidence suggests that there is discernible evidence of human activity influencing global climate'.

In 2006, the Stern report was published in the UK by HM Treasury. It was the first report of its kind into the economic impact of climate change. It found that the costs of inaction far outweighed the costs of action.

European governments are increasing action on this issue. For instance, in November 2008, the UK government passed the Climate Change Act. The Act sets legally binding targets for reducing emissions by 80 per cent on 1990 levels by 2050.

Increasingly, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, which includes Telefónica Europe plc is being seen has having a significant role to play in tackling climate change. In June 2008, The Climate Group and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) published SMART 2020: Enabling  the Low Carbon Economy in the Information Age. This was the world’s first comprehensive global study of the ICT sector’s growing significance for the world’s climate.

The report’s supporting analysis, conducted independently by international management consultants McKinsey & Company, shows that while ICT’s own sector footprint currently two per cent of global emissions will almost double by 2020, this is countered by the sector’s unique ability to monitor and maximise energy efficiency both within and outside of its own sector could cut CO2 emissions by up to five times this amount. This represents a saving of 7.8 Giga-tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) by 2020 – greater than the current annual emissions of either the US or China.

Not surprisingly then, climate change is identified as a strategic issue for Telefónica Europe plc and we are working within all our markets to reduce our carbon footprint.

Our focus so far has included:

• Transport - increased use of technology, green travel plans, management information (fuel types etc).
• Energy audits and benchmarking with industry standards.
• Procurement of renewable energy.
• Using energy-efficiency equipment.
• Carbon offsetting, where appropriate.
• Industrial symbiosis.

We're in this together

In the UK for example, O2 and a select number of other big companies in the UK have been invited to join hands and be part of the ‘We're In This Together campaign’, led by the UK Government and the Climate Group.

As part of the campaign, we are seeking to raise awareness amongst consumers about handset recycling. Furthermore, we are encouraging consumers to consider a SIM-only tariff.

If UK customers choose the SIM-only tariff, O2 will make a £5 donation to Telefónica O2 UK’s It’s Your Community campaign for every customer that signs up with paperless billing.