Verizon launches sustainability effort that fuses environmental-social imperatives

Telecommunications giant Verizon is launching a company sustainability effort aimed at cutting its CO2 intensity in half by the end of this decade. The effort will be combined with broad operational changes, philanthropic initiatives, marketplace solutions and community involvement.

Carbon intensity is defined as the amount of energy needed to move data across the Verizon network. Officials report they will improve this energy efficiency metric by reducing energy consumption and by moving more data with the same amount of power.

“This is the era of big data,” said Verizon chairman and CEO Lowell McAdam. “Our business continues to grow at a rapid pace, but we're committed to innovating our way to growing responsibly by becoming more energy efficient, even as our business expands.”

The company plans to leverage several nontraditional methods of driving sustainability, including community development, social innovation, healthcare coverage and access to education.

For example, Verizon is using network technology to overcome barriers to healthcare by working with insurance providers to deliver patient services through secure videoconferencing. The deployment of 4G networks will also enable the adaptation of new technologies for educational settings.

By focusing on mobility, broadband and global connectivity, Verizon is striving to break down ld technology barriers and empower businesses and communities, the company reported in a statement.

“As we look at how technology is transforming business and society, we see expanding opportunities ahead for us to use our unique network platforms to make a difference in the world,” McAdam added. “We believe we can become an even bigger force for good in the world – and, in doing so, extend our legacy of growth and shareowner value for many years to come.”

Sustainability efforts are increasingly used by organizations not only as part of wider corporate responsibility programs but also to increase operational performance. Efficient energy consumption, waste disposal and organizational processes can help reduce costs while also improving performance.

But proper implementation of sustainability programs requires thorough analysis. For that reason, some companies are relying on their employees to deliver sustainable performance. A recent survey by GreenBiz.com found 33 percent of companies measure corporate sustainability through staff surveys. Such initiatives can also help drive employee engagement and productivity.