Gabrielle Giner, Environmental Sustainability Principal

We had a chat with Gabrielle to find out more about our sustainability goals and how we’re helping customers and partners reduce their own carbon emissions.

Can you tell us a little about your role and what your day – day entails?

I look after BT’s environmental sustainability programme and strategy on climate. I’ve been in this role for 13 years now. My role looks at our net zero carbon reduction targets and how we achieve them as a business and what other areas we should be looking at. I also spend a lot of time representing BT externally at events and conferences, talking and writing about BT’s climate action journey.

Over the past year, I’ve spent a lot of time talking to companies, large and small, about ways to take climate action and where they can find help to set net zero carbon targets.

We also encourage all suppliers to set net zero science-based targets and joined the 1.5°C Supply Chain Leaders initiative to help drive collective action. BT also helped to launch the SME (small-medium enterprises) Climate hub which helps small businesses on their net zero journey and encourages larger businesses to get involved through the Race to Zero. 

What are BT’s sustainability goals?

We’ve led on climate action for 30 years. We were one of the first companies to set a science-based target and we’ve pledged to cut the emissions intensity of our business by 87% by the end of March 2031. We use 100% renewable electricity worldwide and we’ve pledged to transition the majority of our 33,000 commercial vehicles to electric or zero carbon by 2030.

In September 2021, BT announced plans to curb its carbon emissions sooner than planned, by bringing forward its net zero target from 2045 to 2030 for its own operational emissions and 2040 for its supply chain and customer emissions. In December, we launched our Manifesto to accelerate responsible, inclusive, and sustainable growth.  As part of the Manifesto, we announced plans to help customers reduce their own carbon emissions by 60m tonnes by 2030, build towards a circular BT by 2030 and launch a new movement to improve the UK’s diverse digital talent pipeline.

What have been some of your favourite projects to work on?

Technology has a huge role to play in the race to reach net zero. We also have a few myths to bust. We recently teamed up with Accenture on a report, a new report commissioned “Harnessing data to empower a sustainable future” which found that despite an expected eight-fold increase in global data traffic over the next decade, the tech sector will dramatically reduce global carbon emissions by as much as 40% globally and by up to 68% in the UK through the adoption of 5G, fibre and Cloud technologies. I also like working with other businesses, NGOs, and policymakers to accelerate common goals on climate action. For example, the UK Electric Fleets coalition which we have launched with the Climate Group or our work with the UK Government on engaging UK small businesses.

Why work for BT?

We want to make a difference to the world around us. And to do that, we want people who will inspire, with energy, and creativity. At BT, you can make a difference and contribute to a global business that powers industry, fuels innovation, and connects us all.

Whatever your interest, you’ll find something exciting, challenging, and unexpected at BT.

 

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