Altafiber, formerly Cincinnati Bell, has set a greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 40% by 2030, in line with the Science Based Target initiative’s guidelines for Information and Communication Technology companies.
Altafiber also publicly released its greenhouse gas emissions inventory for 2021, which will form its baseline for reductions. The company plans to reduce GHG emissions intensity to net-zero by 2040, matching the commitment of its parent company, Macquarie Asset Management.
In the future, the company is putting together unique climate action plans for its Cincinnati-based business and its Hawaii-based business, Hawaiian Telcom.
The company said that its 2021 GHG disclosure complies with the Global Reporting Initiative Standards and was third-party verified.
This year, the company also strengthened its reporting under the Carbon Disclosure Project and participated in GRESB reporting for the first time.
Altafiber plans to release its first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report in early 2023, which will detail advancements in sustainability, its community engagement work including the Bell Charitable Foundation, and governance of ESG.
“Truly reducing our emissions is at the heart of what we do at Altafiber,” said Tom Simpson, Altafiber chief operating officer, in a prepared statement about the Altafiber greenhouse gas goals. “Engaging in a methodical way to ensure our science-based targets are achievable and are meaningful is critical to ensure there is an opportunity for our children and grandchildren to enjoy the same environment we’ve grown up in.”
Several major telecom companies have announced aggressive plans to reduce their carbon footprints over the next several years. Among some of the most recent announcements:
- Comcast aims to double its network energy efficiency by 2030. Comcast’s goal is to be carbon neutral by 2035 for scope 1 and scope 2 emissions across its global footprint. Scope 1 and 2 are direct and indirect emissions that a company owns and controls.
- AT&T plans to lead its business customers to cut 1 billion metric tons (1 gigaton) of green gas emissions by 2035.
- Verizon has made several renewable energy purchase agreements, making the company one of the largest corporate REPA buyers in the country. The agreements are for 845 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy.
