Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi and telecom tower infrastructure provider Indus Towers this week both unveiled plans to substantially reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Xiaomi says it will lower its GHG and carbon emissions through the research and development of green technologies, expanding efforts in e-waste management techniques, and implementing green operations and logistics.
In fact, as of December 21 2022, Xiaomi claims to have achieved a 21.12% reduction in per capita GHG emissions against its baseline year (2020).
By no later than 2030, Xiaomi intends to reduce GHG emissions from its main operating segments by at least 70%, and, by no later than 2040, scale this to 98% from the base year level. Its global aspiration is to reach net zero by 2050.
Xiaomi says it will also encourage its key suppliers to establish renewable energy usage and GHG emission reduction targets.
It seems the company is already making a difference through 5G energy-saving technologies, energy-efficient fast-charging technologies and the recycling of electronic waste, as well as the refurbishing of used products.
Indus Towers, meanwhile, has also committed to achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050 and also aims to improve resource efficiency through reducing, reusing and recycling 100% of its waste, and increasing the use of renewable energy.
“Indus will achieve this through multiple interventions including diesel optimisation, alternate green energy solutions across its business operations and adoption of energy-efficient infrastructure and processes,” the company said in a statement.
Of course, providing tower infrastructure and making smartphones are two very different sectors with very different energy needs. Nevertheless, both companies seem to believe they can manage those needs, as indeed do the handset-making operations of Samsung and Apple, to name only two others.
It will be interesting to see if other telecoms equipment manufacturers that have yet to comment will feel obliged or inspired to follow their example.
