We recognise that O2 on its own can only do so much to effect lasting change within the supply chain in respect of labour standards and environmental impacts. A much more productive approach is to deal with these issues at an industry level and in partnership with governments, NGO’s and other key stakeholders.
O2 is a member of the Global e-Sustainability Initiative, a voluntary group of telecoms operators, electronic equipment manufacturers, and industry associations, partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), WWF and the Carbon Disclosure Project.
GeSI addresses social, environmental and ethical issues in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector and operates a specific Supply Chain Working Group which, together with the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) is developing practical tools and processes that all companies in the sector can use to manage their supply chains.
In this way a consistent, more efficient approach for the sector can be established, reducing the amount of duplication of supplier assessments and audits, reducing cost for everyone, and leading to a more sustainable model for continuous improvement.
O2 is committed to adopting these industry standard tools and protocols into its own sourcing operations.
We are adopting the tools and protocols being developed in association with GeSI and the EICC, the two key bodies leading the industry in the ethical management of supply-chain social and environmental issues.
