Verizon announced a commitment to go carbon neutral by 2035.
“Sustainability and social responsibility are part of Verizon’s DNA,” said James Gowen, Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President of Supply Chain Operations at Verizon. “As an emerging leader in sustainability, Verizon understands its responsibility to continuously evolve and innovate to meet new challenges and expectations.”
Verizon highlights the following milestones and commitments
- A 28% Carbon Intensity reduction since 2016 with the goal set for a 50% carbon intensity reduction by 2025
- A green energy initiative which has offset 20,000 metric tons of CO2
- A 2025 commitment to source renewable energy equivalent to 50% of Verizon’s total electricity usage
- Carbon abatement will enable customers to also reduce their carbon footprint
- Verizon solutions have enabled the avoidance of 8.2 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, the equivalent to removing 1.6 million cars off the road for one year
- 278 ENERGY STAR-certified buildings and 22 onsite renewable energy installations
- 28,000 Green Team employees in 44 countries
- Two million trees planted by 2030 with more than 700,000 planted already
Verizon raises $1 billion “Green Bond”
Verizon Communications has closed a $1 billion “Green Bond” to fund a variety of new and existing green investments. The company expects to allocate a majority of the funds within three years to support its long-term commitment to minimize its environmental impact, drive operating efficiencies and benefit the communities it serves.
Investments will focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, green buildings, sustainable water management, and biodiversity and conservation,
“Verizon is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its operations, and this funding will support those efforts,” said Chief Sustainability Officer Jim Gowen. “As good corporate citizens, we have made it a priority to deploy more green energy resources, such as solar and fuel cell technology, into our facilities.”
Verizon launched its first formal sustainability program in 2009. The company has committed to source renewable energy equivalent to 50 percent of its total electricity usage by 2025.
