Zain Group teams up with GSMA to disclose climate impacts
GSMA-led climate initiative to develop decarbonisation pathway for mobile sector
LONDON/KUWAIT CITY, Sept 16: Zain announces it has teamed up with the GSMA and many of the world’s largest mobile operator groups to start disclosing their climate impacts as part of a major new GSMA-led initiative to develop a mobile industry climate action roadmap in line with the Paris Agreement.
Zain along with more than 50 mobile operators – which together account for more than two thirds of mobile connections globally – are now disclosing their climate impacts, energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions via the internationally recognised CDP system (Global Disclosure Project). The move will enable full transparency for investors and customers involved in the mobile sector. Many of the companies are disclosing for the first time as part of the GSMA-led initiative.
The disclosures form the first phase of an industry-wide, climate action roadmap. The next phase will see the development of a decarbonisation pathway for the mobile industry aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), to be in place by February 2020. This will include the development of an industry-wide plan to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement.
Bader Al Kharafi, Zain ViceChairman and Group CEO commented, “Zain is taking an affirmative step to align with the UN global ambition to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, aiming to be carbon neutral by 2050. We recognize that climate change is a material risk that not only impacts humanity today, but also will impact the ability of future generations to thrive.”
“Today’s announcement marks the start of an unprecedented, collaborative action by the mobile industry to tackle the climate emergency, demonstrating how the private sector can show leadership and responsibility in addressing one of the gravest challenges facing our planet,” said Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA.“The mobile industry will form the backbone of the future economy and therefore has a unique opportunity to drive change across multiple sectors and in collaboration with our suppliers, investors and customers.”
“We welcome this landmark move by the mobile sector to disclose its climate impacts via CDP, which demonstrates a clear step-up in commitment to providing transparency to its investors and customers as part of an industry-wide approach,” said Paul Simpson, CEO of CDP. “As a result of these disclosures, mobile operators will be able to measure and understand their environmental impact, helping them to build sustainability into the heart of their businesses.”
The new methodology designed specifically for the mobile sector in limiting global warning will provide parameters to accelerate the rate at which mobile operators set their own targets. The time scale at which individual companies reach the target will depend on several factors, including their geographic location and their ability to access renewable energy. It is expected that some companies will meet the net zero target significantly ahead of the 2050 deadline.
Zain along with the mobile industry is also committed to advancing mobile technology innovations in areas such as big data and IoT that can enable energy efficient and environmental solutions across multiple sectors, including transport, manufacturing, agriculture, building, energy.
This agreement between the Zain and other mobile operators with the GSMA forms part of the industry’s journey to support the delivery of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG #13 on Climate Action, and its mission to intelligently connect everyone and everything to a #BetterFuture.