Our path to Net Zero: Data, action and determination
Published by Colt Technology Services on August 5, 2025
The tech industry now accounts for 7% of emissions globally and this number is only expected to rise rapidly with the growth of data centres, cloud computing and AI. As a digital infrastructure business, we’ve come a long way on our sustainability journey, but we know there is more to do.
Our data-driven carbon strategy
Our new Sustainability Report for 2024 highlights the progress we’ve made across all areas of ESG. In 2024, our total greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint stood at 352,635 tonnes CO₂e, a 10% reduction from 2023. This means we have achieved a 35% reduction in total CO₂e market-based emissions since our 2019 baseline.
Further highlights include how we have seen a 43% reduction in Scope 1 emissions against our 2019 baseline and, as of 2024, 94% of our Scope 2 electricity was procured from renewable sources.
These are the result of action across all our operations. Our decarbonisation strategy focuses on improving energy efficiency, investing in renewable energy, and transforming supply chain practices as we continue to reduce our environmental impact and decrease GHG emissions.
Science-based targets and Scope 1, 2 and 3 action
As we continue to integrate Lumen EMEA, we have developed plans to stay on track for achieving our net zero GHG emissions reduction targets, approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
We’ve set near-term and long-term SBTs from our 2019 baseline:
Near-term targets:
- Scope 1 & 2: 47% absolute reduction by 2030 (1.5 °C aligned)
- Scope 3: 28% absolute reduction by 2030 (well-below 2 °C)
Long-term net-zero target:
- Scope 1, 2 and 3: 90% absolute reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2045
Addressing Scope 3 emissions, which account for 97% of our footprint, remain a priority. Our engagement with suppliers focuses on those which have the most impact on our supply chain emissions and 56.8% of our supply chain emissions are now with suppliers who have set Science-Based Targets or signed our Sustainability Schedule.
Initiatives to help us achieve our net zero targets
To support our journey to net zero, we’ve outlined a number of initiatives aimed at reducing emissions and embedding sustainability into everyday decision-making:
- Achieve 100% renewable electricity procurement for all Scope 2 electricity by acquiring Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for all sites globally by 2030
- Transition to more sustainable fuels for use in on-site back-up generators for data centres
- Reduce emissions from refrigerant leakages by improving detection systems and transitioning to low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants
- Reduce indirect emissions by finding alternatives to travel and encouraging colleagues to choose better travel options for the environment
- Decarbonise our in-house fleet through electrification and commit to a 75% pure electric fleet by 2030, with an interim target of 38% by 2025
- Continue to engage with our suppliers, requesting that they align to an approved Scope 1 and 2, 1.5-degree SBT by 2025
- Engage Colties further to ensure ESG by Design is embedded throughout everything we do and to better understand the environmental impact of our investments
The road ahead
Our journey to net zero is ambitious, but we’re not just setting targets, we’re taking action. Through innovation, strong partnerships and transparency in our reporting, we’re determined to reduce our impact on the planet while helping our customers and partners to do the same.
Because building a better digital world means building a more sustainable one.
Want to dive deeper into the data? Download our full 2024 Sustainability Report.
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