Optus celebrates World Environment Day

By Helen Maisano

Optus celebrates this year’s World Environment Day* by reflecting on the achievements and progress we have made in the last 12 months in the Environment space, particularly on the actions we have taken in helping in the efforts to combat Climate Change.

We understand it takes an ‘all of us’ approach to address climate change and it’s important we all play our part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in our operations and supply chain and through our recent launch of Optus Eco, we’re empowering our customers to participate in climate action through simple and easy options they can make via the Optus app. 

Our priority is to continue to reduce our operational emissions and in March this year, we announced our commitment to have 100% of our electricity requirements backed by renewable energy sources by the end of 2025.

During our last financial year, we reduced by 8% year on year our Scope 1 (e.g. burning diesel in our back-up generators) and Scope 2 emissions (from the consumption of electricity), which represents an important step forward towards our goal to reduce our emissions by 25% by 2025.

For many companies GHG emissions in the supply chain also known as Scope 3 emissions which are indirect greenhouse gas emissions that are generated in the wider economy -- represent the largest share of their GHG emissions but they are also the most challenging to estimate and abate.  We tackled this challenge head on and created our very first supply chain emissions inventory (which includes 15 different categories under Scope 3) and the results will be included in our upcoming Optus 2022 Sustainability Report, so stay tuned.

Climate change also has an impact on our business and in keeping Australians connected to the moments that matter. That’s why we completed a nationwide climate risk assessment, in line with the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and continue working with the CSIRO in making our infrastructure more resilient against extreme weather events such as fires which have become a common occurrence in the Australian landscape.

To help us achieve our corporate goals and allow our investors to participate in our sustainability journey, we tapped innovative sources of finance by launching the Optus’ sustainability-linked $300 million bond last November, which was the first by an Asia Pacific telco and was oversubscribed.

At Optus, we want to celebrate our role in connecting our community to a low-carbon future. While our mobile phones keep us connected, they also have an impact on the environment. Through the manufacturing process and daily use, our mobiles contribute to carbon emissions. We know that environmental sustainability is an issue most Australians care deeply about, but also unsure how they as individuals can make a difference.

During the year we added Optus Eco to the Living Network features which gives customers options to reduce their environmental impact through things as simple as switching to paperless billing, donating their device to help someone in need, or as ambitious as offsetting some of their device and usage by supporting Australian carbon offset projects.

Like other Optus Living Network features, Optus Eco is easy to access via the My Optus app. Through the app, customers follow simple steps to reduce and help offset their environmental impact and customers can further reduce their eco-impact by opting for an eSIM to reduce the waste generated by plastic SIM cards. 

Optus Eco currently supports two Australian carbon offset projects in collaboration with our partner GreenCollar.

Years of drought and heavy grazing had damaged native vegetation and left the soil at Boonora Downs exposed and degraded. This is being turned around through the regeneration of native acacia and eucalypt forest, and important work to improve the flow of water across the land. By supporting this project via Optus Eco you help in land regeneration efforts, removing carbon from the atmosphere, protecting valuable topsoil and improving biodiversity in this drought-prone region.​

Tallering Station is an historic working sheep station in remote WA. But nearly 200 years of intense grazing had taken a toll on the land. Soil health had dropped and native bushland which was home to critically endangered species was dwindling.​ By supporting this project via Optus Eco you help Tallering Station continue to restore native bushland and improve soil health to regenerate habitats and build biodiversity while reducing carbon emissions. 

Just access Optus Eco on My Optus app then select the number of devices you’d like to help offset (up to five) and a project you’d like to help. Optus Eco will then generate a carbon offset for your project of choice, for the cost of a small subscription fee.[1]

* Established by the United Nations in 1972, World Environment Day is the biggest global event aimed to protect our planet.

[1] Available to customers on selected Optus plans with an eligible mobile device. Offset charges and available projects are subject to change.  If selected project no longer available, Optus may select another for customer. Carbon footprint is an estimate only based on manufacturing and use of typical mobile device: actual footprint may vary. Max 5 devices offset per account. Offsets added as monthly recurring purchase. Cancel at any time, no pro rata refund for remainder of payment cycle. Optus is not providing financial advice. Customer must seek own advice before purchase. See more https://www.optus.com.au/living-network/eco.

Helen Maisano is the Director, Group Sustainability at Optus.