Virgin Mobile KSA announces it has achieved net zero carbon emissions for its operations in the Kingdom

Virgin Mobile KSA is today announcing that it has achieved net zero carbon emissions across its operations in the Kingdom. The news comes on Zero Emissions Day on September 21st and reaffirms Virgin Mobile KSA’s ongoing commitment to minimize its impact on the environment.

Virgin Mobile KSA was able to make this landmark achievement following extensive planning and making a series of direct changes to transform the business into a net zero carbon emissions company. To successfully reach its targets the company implemented a mixed strategy that included a variety of sustainable practices in its offices as well as investing in nature-based solutions to completely offset  carbon emissions for its Saudi office in Riyadh. This is part of a wider commitment from Virgin Mobile KSA to minimize the environmental impact of digital services on the Kingdom and the planet as a whole.

To do this the company began a series of initiatives to harness the unlimited potential of connectivity and digitization to accelerate a zero waste, zero carbon future faster and in a more sustainable manner. Virgin Mobile MEA had already removed over 50 tons of single-use plastic across the region, with operations in Oman and Saudi Arabia now 100% single-use plastic free. Virgin Mobile KSA is also further reviewing changes to internal processes as well as identifying green investing opportunities to help eliminate carbon emissions.

“At Virgin Mobile KSA we firmly believe in our collective responsibility to help safeguard the planet for future generations. To do this we took an proactive role to reduce our carbon footprint in a number of ways and I am delighted to announce that our hard work has resulted in the company achieving net zero carbon emission status. By making this announcement on Zero Emissions Day we hope it will bring wider attention to the action we can all take to protect the environment and encourage others to follow suit,” said Yaarob Al Sayegh, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Mobile KSA.

“These efforts are fully in line with Saudi Vision 2030, and we are particularly focused on ensuring the goals for responsible consumption and protection as well as climate action.”

In addition, Virgin Mobile KSA will plant thousands of trees in UK school locations through Carbon Footprint Ltd. (U.K.) to not only support local wildlife habitats, but also help educate children.  For each tCO2e offset, a tree is planted with an additional tCO2e offset from a VCS (Verified Carbon Standard) Tree Buddying project to guarantee a reduction in emissions.

The net zero carbon emissions plan is part of a broader strategy that aims to encourage greater action on the climate. Virgin Mobile KSA is currently examining ways to launch an option for customers to offset the carbon footprint they generate from connectivity and data usage via an app, as well as obtaining official certificates to confirm carbon neutrality.

The company has already fully eliminated single use plastics from SIM and recharge cards in KSA and expects to hit the same target for all its operations by the end of 2021. It is also working towards sourcing biodegradable SIM and recharge cards this year. It has recently completed an audit of its vendors to ensure they are working to improve their business standards in this regard.

“The need for action on the climate is clear and at Virgin Mobile we are taking the necessary steps to protect the world we live in. As a company we have made a firm commitment to lend our support by focusing on carbon offsetting projects around the world and Zero Emissions Day is the ideal time to reaffirm our pledge to act,” said Al Sayegh.

“By setting out an ambitious yet achievable roadmap of milestones, we became a company with net zero carbon emissions this year. The various projects we have announced earlier this year form an integral part of our proactive commitment towards corporate citizenship in the Kingdom.”

The mobile phone operator has been focused on ‘Making Mobile Better’ since it was launch in the Kingdom in 2014. As part of this Virgin Mobile KSA has been supporting Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation goals through sustainable methods such as working on the new app to offset customer carbon emissions.