As a business, we put digital impact and sustainability at the heart of everything we do. It’s intrinsic to our purpose and strategy: ‘we connect for good’ and forms a key part of our strategy

We know there are no limits to what people can do when they connect, and the connections, we make are helping to create can help solve the world’s biggest challenges, such as cyber security, the global pandemic the digital divide and climate change.   

Our digital impact & sustainability strategy

We’re taking a leadership position on climate change, the digital skills divide, and responsible tech and human rights because it’s our ambition is to be the world’s most trusted connector of people, devices and machines by 2030. This allows us to focus on the things that will make the biggest difference to a bright, sustainable future. 

  • Our ambition:

    Reach 25m people in the UK with help to improve their digital skills by end of March 2026

    • We’ve reached 10.1m people in the UK with help to improve their digital skills since 2014/15

    • Our Top Tips on Tech campaign alone reached 5.7m this year, and as part of our Skills for Tomorrow programme, helped us reach our 10m target five years early
    • We’ve now extended that target; we aim to reach 25m people by end of March 2026

    Building digital skills helps us:

    • Grow by enabling more people to use and get more from our services

    • Build and enhance our reputation with all stakeholders
    • Develop the tech-savvy talent we need now and in the future

    • Expand colleagues’ horizons through volunteering

    Contributing to the UN’s Global Goals…

    UN’s Global Goals
    UN’s Global Goals

    4.3 & 4.4

    UN’s Global Goals
    UN’s Global Goals

    5b

    UN’s Global Goals
    UN’s Global Goals

    9.1 & 9c

    UK Government’s ambitions

    The UK Government’s Digital Strategy includes giving everyone access to the digital skills they need

  • Our ambition:

    Adopt a sector-leading approach to climate action, with a target to become a net zero carbon emissions business by 2045

    1 Scopes 1 and 2 plus supply chain greenhouse gases.

    • We’re now using 100% renewable electricity worldwide2

    •  We’ve reduced the carbon intensity of our operations by 57% and cut supplier emissions by 19% since 2016/17
    • We aim to transition most of our fleet to electric vehicles by 2030 and drive wider action through advocacy and partnerships, like the UK Electric Fleets Coalition

    • We’re taking action to assess and mitigate climate risks to our operations

    2 99.9% of the global electricity BT consumes is from renewable sources. The remaining 0.1% represents where markets don’t allow due to non-availability of renewable electricity.

    Leading efforts to tackle climate change helps us:

    • Get ahead of demands for climate action from investors, customers and others

    • Grow our business through existing and emerging carbon-reducing solutions
    • Attract and retain people who want to work for a business that champions sustainability

    Contributing to the UN’s Global Goals…

    UN’s Global Goals
    UN’s Global Goals

    12.5 & 12.7

    UN’s Global Goals
    UN’s Global Goals

    13a

    UK Government’s ambitions

    The UK Government’s target is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050

  • Our ambition:

    Develop, use, buy and sell technology in a way that benefits people and minimises harm

    • Our new responsible tech strategy and principles aim to ensure we meet our ambition every time

    • We’re tackling big issues like modern slavery, privacy and free expression through partnerships like Tech Against Trafficking and the Global Network Initiative
    • We check for human rights risks in our supply chain, mapping suppliers right down to tier 4 for branded products

    Taking a responsible approach to tech helps us:

    • Support commercial growth and innovation by differentiating existing solutions 

    • Take a lead in future growth areas like connected homes, smart cities, healthcare tech and security
    • Build trust and protect our reputation as a responsible business 

    • Reassure stakeholders that we’re using tech to connect for good

    Contributing to the UN’s Global Goals…

    UN’s Global Goals
    UN’s Global Goals

    8.7

    10.2

    UN’s Global Goals
    UN’s Global Goals

    16.10

    UK Government’s ambitions

    The UK Government is committed to worldleading online safety measures that support innovation and a thriving digital economy

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Building better digital lives

Our Skills for Tomorrow programme has already helped 10 million people in the UK improve their digital skills. We hit our target five years ahead of target so now, we’re getting even move ambitious: we want to help 25 million people by the end of March 2026.​

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Windmills

Tackling climate change

With a target to become a net zero carbon emissions business by 2045, we’re serious about tackling climate change. We’re now using 100% renewable electricity worldwide, and we’re looking to transition most of our fleet to electric vehicles by 2030. 

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Championing responsible tech and human rights

Our new responsible tech strategy aims to ensure we develop, use, buy and sell technology in a way that benefits people and minimises harms. 

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Digital Impact & Sustainability Report 2021

Reports and policies

Leading the way to a bright, sustainable future is a key pillar of our Group strategy and why our digital impact and sustainability work plays such a crucial role for BT. We use our policies every day to realise this . 

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Learn new skills for your business with BT and Google

We've teamed up with Google to help you connect with more customes online via 1 -to- 1 mentioring and training. Our digital experts will help you discover how to take your business to the next level for free.

Get started

Our latest reports

Harnessing data to empower a sustainable future - Technology and emissions report
Digital Impact & Sustainability Report 2021
Electric vehicle charging

Skills for Tomorrow

Start your digital journey with free online or face-to-face courses, designed to empower you and your family with the skills you need today, for a better tomorrow.

Visit the Skills for Tomorrow portal