Climate change initiatives are good for business
Australian telcos are becoming increasingly aware of their carbon footprints, and a few are actually doing something about it. But while two of the major telcos have been vocal about their environmental moves, Optus has remained quiet – at least until now.
Optus recently announced two significant climate change initiatives:
- Opus Eco, a feature which advises customers on how to stem climate change, and
- Optus new climate action commitment which pledges to rely on renewable technology
This is great news from Optus, as it now puts all three of Australia’s major telcos on the right side of the fight against climate change. And if you’re interested in playing a part in this fight, then these telcos should be front runners for your next SIM plan.
In this article, we’ll tell you all about Optus Eco and Optus’ renewable energy pledge, as well as other Australian telcos which have prioritised climate change initiatives. Read on to find out.
Optus Eco
Telcos use a lot of energy, creating significant carbon footprints which, over time, can negatively impact our environment if allowed to go unchecked. Thankfully, consumers and the government haven’t had to put much pressure on Australian telcos in this regard – they are making positive climate change decisions to help keep our Earth green.
Optus’ Eco is just the latest climate change initiative in Australia’s telco space. The feature is part of the Optus Living Network on the My Optus app, which was launched to give customers more control over their plan and make life easier.
The Optus Living Network comes with a ton of useful, helpful features. It allows users to donate devices they no longer need, translate phone calls for others in real time, pause their SIM and other plans, donate data, and many more.
Optus Eco now comes in as a new addition to that Optus Living Network, and it gives Australians an opportunity to actually do even more good. Optus Eco shows customers the simple ways through which they can reduce their own negative environmental impact and footprints – a different angle that we are used to seeing.
The feature empowers customers, giving them a weapon to join the environmental fight. In addition, Optus Eco suggests other straightforward ways that customers can help, such as recycling or giving away old phones, and using an eSIM for their plan instead of a physical SIM, thereby reducing the need for plastic used for those physical SIM.
According to Optus CEO Kelly Baye Rosmarin, “Climate change is top of mind for Optus, like it is for many of our customers. So, Optus is leading the industry by empowering customers to help offset their carbon footprint by choosing Australian carbon offset projects.”
Optus’ renewable energy pledge and other climate change initiatives
Optus went a step further with another announcement: By 2025, the telco will source all its electricity needs from renewable energy. This places Optus alongside Australia’s other two large telcos, which have made similar pledges.
Lindsay Soutar, REenergise Campaign Director, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, explains the significance of this by stating, “It’s fantastic to see Optus say ‘yes’ to switching to 100% renewable electricity by 2025. Optus is one of the biggest energy users in the country, so by upping its climate ambition, the company will help speed Australia’s transition to wind and solar, and cut substantial carbon emissions along the way.”
While Optus hasn’t been as vocal as Telstra and TPG Telecom on climate initiatives, the telco hasn’t been entirely mum on the subject. In April, Optus inked a AU$1.4bn credit facility with sustainability ties. The interest rate of the loan comes with discounts that are linked to Optus pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2025.
That credit facility followed an initial AU$300mn sustainability-linked bond entered into last November. Singtel, Optus parent company, stated that the initial bond was oversubscribed, which indicates great interest and concern about the environment.
Final words – Other telcos are reducing their carbon footprints
Telcos use a lot of energy, creating significant carbon footprints which, over time, can negatively impact our environment if allowed to go unchecked. Thankfully, consumers and the government haven’t had to put much pressure on Australian telcos in this regard – they are making positive climate change decisions on their own, to help keep our Earth green.
Here’s a quick look at some other telcos, besides Optus, which have pledged to reduce or eliminate their carbon footprints:
- Telstra
Telstra became Certified Carbon Neutral 2 years ago by “Purchasing 2.3 million carbon offset credits from projects that avoid, reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions from being released into the atmosphere”.Telstra plan to reduce their overall emissions by 50 percent within a decade. - Belong
Belong became Certified Carbon Neutral even before their parent company Telstra. They also announced that their support will become fully digital, a major step toward Net Zero carbon. - TPG Telecom (Vodafone)
TPG Telecom Announced that all of their electricity will be sourced by renewable energy by 2025. - Felix Mobile
Felix Mobile is a fully digital telco that sources 100 percent of their electricity from renewable energy. This small telco will also plant one tree for every month you remain subscribed to their SIM plan.
And with Optus joining the bunch, you now have a ton of options to choose from when searching for an environmentally friendly SIM plan.