BT Group has launched two initiatives to support the UK’s net zero transition.
The Green Tech Innovation Platform, in conjunction with Silicon Valley-based Plug and Play, will seek out the latest technologies from UK-based technology outfits that could potentially support BT and its public sector customers’ net zero transition.
The partnership marks Plug and Play’s entry to the UK market and will explore three areas.
The first is ‘smart streets’ where insights from environmental monitoring and traffic optimisation sensors can be integrated into ‘street furniture’ like the next generation of BT Street Hub units.
The second is ‘smart buildings’, where internet of things (IoT-) capable solutions support energy and water management in social housing and other public sector buildings.
The third is ‘remote working’ to find ways 5G can be used to support innovative products and solutions that will reduce travel, for example using video, augmented reality or virtual reality to carry out remote repair and diagnostics by health and other public sector workers.
BT plans to announce successful innovations chosen through the platform in this autumn.
Providers will have the opportunity to partner and work collaboratively with BT and their customers.
Partnerships will range from BT using its expertise to find a cheaper, faster initial route to market through to new revenue share models or even taking a stake in the business.
The other initiative is the launch of the UK Electric Fleets Alliance with The Climate Group.
BT Group has the second largest commercial fleet in the UK with almost 34,000 vehicles, including more than 28,000 used by Openreach engineers.
The alliance will highlight the need to progress towards fleet de-carbonisation and help to develop policy measures that support corporate electric vehicle (EV) uptake, such as stimulating EV supply and investing in EV charging infrastructure, in the run-up to COP26.
BT is the joint-largest private purchaser of electricity in the UK and 100% of the electricity that it purchases directly from UK energy suppliers comes from renewable sources.
Globally, 92% of the electricity BT uses comes from renewable sources and, where markets allow, the company plans to hit 100% by December 2020.
BT has included progress on carbon reduction and on digital skills training in the calculation of bonuses for eligible employees.
As part of the company’s new remuneration policy set to be introduced this year, these two components will make up 10% of the Group’s bonus calculation, incentivising employees to contribute towards the targets.
BT Group chief executive Philip Jansen said: “The economic set back and immense hardship caused by the Covid-19 pandemic are severe and could be long lasting. However, despite the temporary reprieve on carbon emissions and air quality in towns and cities during the lockdown, the global climate emergency hasn’t gone away.
“As we emerge from the crisis, the recovery presents a huge opportunity for governments, businesses and individuals to put action on climate at the heart of their efforts.
“We will be playing our part with a once-in-a-generation investment in the UK’s digital infrastructure: full fibre broadband to 20 million premises, as well as our continued investment in 5G mobile.
“We will also be backing new green technologies through our Green Tech Innovation Platform. BT is stepping up on climate action and we want to encourage and help others to do the same.”