Greentech Lead Europe: Ericsson has achieved its sustainability goal of reducing carbon footprint intensity by 40 percent.
Ericsson set the five-year target in 2009 and it has been reached within four years, largely thanks to systematic improvements across the portfolio and by improving product energy efficiency, and focusing on Ericsson’s own internal operations, the company said.
In 2012, the company attained reduction in absolute emissions with regard to business travel, down 16 percent; and product transport, down 12 percent.
Mobile broadband, according to Ericsson president and CEO Hans Vestberg, has the power to address many of the world’s challenges including urbanization, climate challenge and poverty.
Ericsson has long been engaged in the global conversation on sustainability. The company has leadership position in several bodies to further dialogue on the role of Information and Communications Technology and sustainable development.
Vestberg is personally involved in the Broadband Commission for Digital Development where he led the working group on climate change, and recently agreed to chair the Commission’s task Group on the post-2015 agenda and future Sustainable Development Goals. He is also a member of the Leadership Council of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, a multi-stakeholder initiative launched in 2012 by the UN Secretary-General.
The Ericsson Mobility Report estimates that by 2017, 85 percent of the world’s population will have 3G coverage.
To address the growing demand for cost-effective and energy-efficient build out of coverage, Ericsson offers solutions including: Psi coverage, which reduces power consumption by up to 40 percent; AIR, Antenna-Integrated Radio, a family of products that reduces energy consumption also by 40 percent; and Managed Rural Coverage, which bundles a managed service with a cost-efficient solar-powered 2G, 3G, or LTE mini-site solution, designed to connect people in areas without voice and data communication.