Press Release | 01 Jul 2021

Vodafone hits renewable milestone in the UK achieving important next step in its ‘net zero’ ambitions

Vodafone today confirmed that every area of its business in the UK – including its network, data centres, retail stores and offices – is now 100% powered by electricity from renewable sources, such as wind, solar and hydro.

This is a key milestone in achieving its recently announced ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions across its UK operations by 2027. It follows news that Vodafone’s European network, in 12 countries would be 100% powered by electricity from renewable sources by July.

Vodafone’s fixed and mobile networks in the UK connect 16 million people at any one moment. Powering the network accounts for 95% of Vodafone’s total energy usage in the UK and has the company’s biggest impact on the environment.

Now, 100% of Vodafone’s electricity is from renewable sources, which includes 11% from wind farms in Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, with plans to extend self-generated power significantly over the next five years.

I’m delighted that our entire business is now powered by electricity sourced 100% from renewables

(Ahmed Essam, CEO, Vodafone UK)

Vodafone UK has made significant progress on its net-zero agenda in the last year, including:

• reducing CO2 emissions by 37%;
• re-using, reselling or recycling 100% of its redundant network equipment;
• trialling electric vehicle charging points and moving to a 60% EV or PHEV car fleet;
• launching trade-in for mobile phones, a refurbished range and a new device Eco Rating scheme, enabling customers to make more informed environmental choices;
• helping businesses save almost 500,000 tonnes of CO2 , largely through IoT technology;
• joining the UK Government’s Race to Zero and Tech Zero Taskforce.

Ahmed Essam, Vodafone’s UK CEO, said: “Achieving our ambitious net zero target is a critical part of our company strategy. With COP26 being held in Glasgow later this year, now is the time to embrace this opportunity and work together to accelerate our transition to a zero-carbon society.

“I’m delighted that our entire business is now powered by electricity sourced 100% from renewables.”

Vodafone UK has also committed to significantly reducing carbon emissions from its supply chain and use of products by 2027 before reaching net zero across its full carbon footprint by 2040. For example, it has introduced a 20% weighting for environmental and social criteria for its suppliers, incentivising them to reduce carbon emissions, switch to renewable energy, limit plastic, and promote a circular economy.

The renewables milestone will be marked in the UK by a wide-reaching digital and social campaign – even Vodafone’s chatbot TOBi will be wearing a green hat.

– ends –

Notes for editors

100% of the grid electricity that Vodafone UK now uses is certified to be from renewable sources including wind, solar or hydro.

In May 2021, Vodafone joined forces with four of Europe’s leading network operators to launch a new pan-industry Eco Rating labelling scheme to help consumers identify and compare the most sustainable mobile phones and encourage suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of their devices.

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About Vodafone UK

Vodafone UK is a technology communications company that connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed-line connections, home and office broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

We have a strong track record as a tech pioneer, making the UK’s first mobile phone call, sending the first text message, and making the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G in 2018. We were the first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester and now have 5G in locations across Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain as well as the UK. Meanwhile, our 4G network coverage currently reaches over 99% of the UK population.

Today, Vodafone serves more than 18 million mobile and fixed-line customers in the UK. Vodafone is the largest provider of full fibre in the UK – our superfast broadband services are now available to nearly 12 million homes across the UK.

Sustainability is also at the heart of what we do: as of 1 July 2021, 100% of the grid electricity we use in the UK is certified to be from renewable sources.

For more information about Vodafone UK, please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk.

Vodafone UK Media Relations

Telephone: +44 (0) 1635 693 693

Email: ukmediarelations@vodafone.com

Twitter: @VodafoneUKNews

Website: https://vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/

Vodafone Limited

Registered Office: Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN

Registered in England No: 1471587