Don’t underestimate telecom in fighting climate change: CTS panel

MISSISSAUGA, Ont.--Although media articles of sustainability tend to focus on high-impact industries like oil and gas, telecom has a role to play in developing a green economy. The Canadian Telecom Summit launched Monday with an opening panel on Environmental Sustainability–Going Green and the ESG Journey. Five industry leaders spoke on the topic to a crowd at the annual conference. First up was Jill Schnarr, chief social innovation and communications officer at Telus Corp. She told the audience the western telecom is concentrating on minimizing waste, investing in technology and creating biodiversity. Its goal is to reach carbon neutrality by 2030. “We’ve dramatically reduced our dependence on carbon and in fact we now get over 90 per cent of our electricity requirements from renewable sources,” Schnarr stated. That not only helps the environment, it is cheaper, reflecting well on the telecom’s bottom line. She pointed to the company’s Flash Forest subsidiary which is using drones to check on wildfires in areas where human exploration would be too risky. At the same time, Telus is involved in projects that involve reforestation. Nokia Corp. has been issuing reports on sustainability since 2003. Marc Bellini, CTO of the Canada Market Team for the Finnish equipment manufacturer, reported that the firm is hoping to be fully employing renewable energy by 2030 and has already exceeded its goal of being 50 per cent renewable by this year. Bellini used the example of radio satellite networks to show how Nokia is working towards ESG targets. The company is seeking ways to turn down the networks when traffic is low and then ramp them up when demand is high. “That has been a little more challenging for us,” he admitted. Sustainability will become more pronounced as we shift to a digitized economy, the CTO theorized. Canada’s largest recycler of electronics is Quantum Lifecycle Partners LP. Its head of sustainability, Stephanie McLarty, said the firm works with large and small telecoms to repurpose set top boxes, modems, network equipment and mobile phones. “It would be very easy for us to rest on our laurels in terms of what we do by recycling in this sustainability phase,” she said. “But we’re really committed to going above and beyond.” To that end, Quantum is working with its customers to educate them on sustainability reporting. The company launched a podcast last January to tell the public about efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of the electronics industry. She also spoke highly of the current right to repair movement gaining momentum across the world. Cooperation is needed to ensure that ESG becomes commonplace throughout the sector, Idit Duvdevany Aronsohn told the conference. She is head of corporate responsibility, inclusion and wellbeing for Amdocs Technology. Companies have to learn how to become catalysts for change, she averred, and everything is connected as we seek to reduce our carbon footprint. Not only do firms have to cut back on emissions, they must also learn how to conserve assets. “We need to work together, as an industry, as a whole,” she stated. The president and CEO of the Information and Communications Technology Council noted that climate change has become a bigger component of what the organization does. “One of the biggest challenges that we face, and that’s why we’re here as a panel, is climate change,” Namir Anani said. “We know that world wide we are making about 50 tons of CO2 each year, which is quite significant.” He pointed to the way environmental concerns have had an impact on agriculture. Crops are affected by rising temperatures. Technology can lessen those challenges. We all play a part in battling climate change. He said the roles of consumers and of governments needs to be addressed. Government must play a bigger role, he believes. Schnarr said that social outreach, such as low cost internet connectivity and cheaper wireless plans helps erase the digital divide. This helps everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, reduce their carbon footprint. There are still challenges in rolling out service to rural areas, she cautioned. Aronsohn agreed that connectivity is key. “If you don’t have access to the internet, you are not able to get access to the basics,” the Amdocs official asserted. McLarty noted that awareness of sustainability is broader now. While at one time only people in industry worried about the topic, the public in general is now interested. She cited a statistic that reusing electronics saves seven to 21 times the emissions over recycling. “That has become a very powerful motivator for our clients,” she stated. Those clients are more likely to ask Quantum what it is doing to reduce its carbon footprint. Telus’ Schnarr echoes that sentiment. Consumers are just as likely to place responsibility for sustainability on the private sector as on government. –Reporting by Paul Park at ppark@thewirereport.ca and editing by Jenna Cocullo at jcocullo@thewirereport.ca

Don’t underestimate telecom in fighting climate change: CTS panel

News | November 6, 2023

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Don’t underestimate telecom in fighting climate change: CTS panel

News | November 6, 2023

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Related Stories

Satellite networks vital next step for Canada to reach connectivity goals: Terrestar

CTS panelists criticize asymmetrical fibre access regime, urge national approach

Connectivity is a human right, says Irekvist

CTS discusses road map to growth in telecom market despite challenges

Reuse & Permissions

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us