In celebration of Earth Day, 5G technology supplier Ericsson Canada announced Monday it has joined Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Net-Zero Challenge program, an initiative that encourages businesses operating in Canada to develop and implement credible and effective plans to transition their facilities and operations to net-zero emissions by 2050.
“As part of our commitment to advancing our climate action initiatives here in Canada and around the globe, we are thrilled to join the Government of Canada’s Net-Zero Challenge,” Jeanette Irekvist, president of Ericsson Canada, said in a press release.
“As a technology leader with a strong foundation in research and development, we understand our climate impacts and the importance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Our climate commitment already extends throughout our value chain, committing to become net-zero by 2040, and we look forward to joining the momentum of this program.”
5G networks represent an opportunity to digitalize industries and significantly reduce global carbon dioxide emissions through the use of energy-efficient network solutions, Ericsson says in its press release.
“While the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is responsible for only 1.4 per cent of the global carbon footprint, it has the potential to enable a 15-20 per cent reduction of emissions across industries by 2030 through connectivity solutions,” it says.
Reaching net-zero can only be attained with collaboration across all sectors of the economy, however, Ericsson says.
“We are already working with countless other extraordinary organizations across all sectors to continue to press ahead with the transformational change needed to meet our collective sustainability goals,” Irekvist said. “We’re confident in the goals we have laid down and are committed to helping both our customers and Canada achieve notable success in this vital space.”
Ericsson’s announcement Monday reinforces its dedication to achieving net-zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2040, it says, adding, “Ericsson is committed to supporting the deployment of smart, sustainable 5G networks that provide high performance with a lower carbon footprint.”
In October 2022, Ericsson Canada announced a research partnership with Environment and Climate Change Canada, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), Concordia University and Polytechnique Montréal to explore the use of artificial intelligence to reduce the energy consumption of 5G networks.
The federal government’s Net-Zero Challenge was launched in August 2022 and now has more than 180 private-sector companies participating in the initiative.
Commenting on Ericsson’s joining the Net-Zero Challenge, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault said in a statement: “In committing to net-zero, leading companies like Ericsson are taking action now to help safeguard Canada’s environment for our children and grandchildren. Together, the participants of the Net-Zero Challenge are stimulating innovation, demonstrating corporate responsibility, and ensuring their long-term competitiveness in a decarbonizing global economy. I encourage all businesses with net-zero ambitions to join the Challenge.”
