Latest News - Save Group partners with NorthLadder to promote sustainability
Save Group partners with NorthLadder to promote sustainability
Save Group , a leading smartphone and electronics repair company in France, has teamed up with NorthLadder to offer customers a new way to support sustainability.
Through this partnership, consumers can now choose to either repair their devices or trade them in, encouraging more environmentally conscious decisions. This initiative aims to promote a circular economy by extending the lifespan of electronics and reducing waste.
The collaboration introduces NorthLadder’s trade-in solutions to Save Group’s Paris locations, making it simple for customers to get an instant and transparent valuation for their old smartphones while in-store. By providing an easy and efficient process for trading in devices, the partnership ensures that gadgets have the opportunity for a second life, further promoting the concept of circularity. This effort aligns with the growing demand for sustainable practices in the technology industry.
This joint venture marks another milestone in making trade-in programs more accessible and rewarding for consumers. By combining Save Group’s expertise in repairs with NorthLadder’s innovative valuation system, the two companies are paving the way for more responsible technology usage, empowering customers to make smarter, eco-friendly choices.
Vodafone cuts advertising carbon footprint
Vodafone has successfully reduced the carbon footprint of its advertising and media operations by more than a third within a year, spanning 13 markets. This achievement follows the company’s efforts to measure its media-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and implement global guidelines to address them. Through its Sustainable Media Programme, launched in October 2022, Vodafone aims to align its advertising practices with its broader sustainability targets of halving value chain emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2040.
In collaboration with dentsu , a marketing and advertising agency, and Cozero , a carbon management software provider, Vodafone analysed the environmental impact of its media activities across 13 channels. These included traditional outlets like TV, cinema, print media, and billboards, as well as digital platforms such as video, social media, and search engines. The analysis revealed a baseline of 16,958 tCO2e for media-related activities in 2023—equivalent to around 3,800 round-trip flights between London and Cape Town. By Q3 FY24, Vodafone had reduced its carbon impact by 34%, cutting emissions from 7,311.56 tCO2e in Q3 FY23 to 4,855.27 tCO2e.
Anne Josefine Stilling , Vodafone Group Director of Brand & Media said: “Vodafone has ambitious targets to achieve net zero across its entire value chain by 2040. Our industry-leading Sustainable Media Programme will play a key role in mitigating our Scope 3 emissions through ongoing benchmarking and improving the carbon impact of our advertising and media activities… By partnering with organisations like the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) to share our experience, Vodafone can also help the wider advertising industry develop and implement consistent standards to measure and reduce media carbon footprints.”
Vodafone’s data-driven approach has influenced its sustainable media guidelines, focusing on emission reductions across various media types. For instance, the company encourages shorter video ads to save playback energy, prioritises suppliers with sustainable practices, and optimises file sizes for digital displays. Additionally, Vodafone has introduced a carbon measurement dashboard to track the climate impact of its media decisions and encourages partners to report their emissions. This initiative not only aids in achieving Vodafone’s sustainability goals but also sets an example for the broader advertising industry by promoting consistent standards for measuring and reducing carbon footprints.
BBC commits to sustainability with net zero plan
The BBC has released its inaugural Climate Transition Plan, outlining its roadmap to achieve Net Zero by 2050. This plan reflects the broadcaster’s dedication to fostering sustainability within both the BBC and the wider media industry. The initiative builds on the BBC’s ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental impact, including integrating its commitment to natural history programming with practical, off-screen actions. Examples include replacing diesel fuel with HVO in generators for productions like Blue Lights and installing heat pumps to replace gas-fired boilers and refrigeration chillers in its offices.
Developed in alignment with the Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) Disclosure Framework, the plan focuses on three key areas: reducing and optimising energy use through low-carbon solutions, building the skills needed to drive sustainable practices across all operations and content production, and contributing to the broader transition within the media industry and economy. This effort is part of the BBC’s broader sustainability strategy, which is built on three pillars: Net Zero, Nature Positive, and People Positive. These pillars guide the BBC in addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss while aligning with its mission to inform, educate, and entertain audiences.
The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved the BBC’s long-term goal to cut all emissions by at least 90% by 2050, complementing its near-term objective to halve emissions by 2030. Danielle Mulder , the BBC’s Director of Sustainability, emphasised the importance of the plan, describing it as a “milestone” in the organisation’s journey toward a low-carbon future. She also highlighted the significance of engaging staff, suppliers, and audiences in the process. The BBC plans to regularly update its Transition Plan to maintain high standards in sustainability reporting and ensure it remains on track to meet its ambitious climate goals.
Key takeaways from Rakuten TV’s first sustainability report
Rakuten TV , a leading European streaming platform, has published its first-ever Sustainability Report, outlining its dedication to environmental responsibility, diversity, inclusion, and strong governance practices. With the streaming industry increasingly under scrutiny for its environmental and social impact, Rakuten TV is taking proactive measures toward a more sustainable future. The report reflects the company’s commitment to aligning entertainment with values that prioritise sustainability and inclusivity.
The report showcases notable achievements over the past year, adhering to Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards. Among its accomplishments, Rakuten TV reduced its CO2 emissions by an impressive 69.4% in 2022, a milestone that underscores its efforts to minimise its carbon footprint. Additionally, the platform is working toward setting Science-Based Targets for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions to continue advancing its decarbonisation goals. The report also highlights Rakuten TV’s focus on fostering diversity and inclusion, represented by its team of 23 nationalities, equality initiatives, and efforts to embed inclusivity across recruitment, training, and promotion. Original productions have further supported these values, with content tackling themes like gender equality, mental health, and inspiring stories of individuals overcoming stigma.
Rakuten TV has also made strides in other areas, including achieving LEED Platinum certification for its environmentally friendly headquarters in Barcelona and launching the ‘AVOD for Impact’ campaign, which donates advertising inventory to NGOs aligned with its mission. Governance improvements include strengthening third-party management processes, earning ISO 27001 certification for information security, and enhancing whistleblowing channels. CEO Cédric Dufour expressed pride in the company’s progress, emphasising the importance of creating entertainment responsibly while fostering positive change. ESG and PR Director Fabiana Cumia echoed this sentiment, highlighting Rakuten TV’s commitment to sustainability and inclusivity as essential to shaping the future of entertainment.
Scandinavians unsure of carbon impact, yet committed to action
A recent study by 德勤 reveals a notable trend among Scandinavian consumers regarding refurbished technology. Despite many individuals expressing a lack of awareness about their own environmental impact, there is a budding openness to purchasing second-hand devices. Specifically, smartphones emerge as the most sought-after refurbished item, with a modest percentage of the population showing interest in laptops and smart TVs as well.
Interestingly, the survey highlights generational differences in attitudes towards refurbished products. Younger consumers, particularly those aged 16 to 24, are more likely to consider the environmental implications of their purchases and show greater enthusiasm for buying used tech. In contrast, older demographics demonstrate a declining interest, suggesting that age plays a significant role in shaping consumer behavior towards sustainability.
While the inclination to buy refurbished items is still relatively low overall, the findings indicate a potential shift in mindset. As awareness around sustainability grows, particularly among younger generations, the market for refurbished technology could expand, encouraging more environmentally responsible purchasing decisions in the future.
Microsoft rethinks sustainability strategy amid AI growth
微软 has significantly shifted its sustainability approach, moving away from purchasing non-additional, unbundled renewable energy certificates. This decision comes as the company faces rising emissions driven by its rapid expansion of AI infrastructure. The shift reflects Microsoft’s commitment to aligning its environmental efforts with the principles of a circular economy and sustainable technology.
The growth of AI has presented new challenges for Microsoft, with emissions increasing nearly 30% since it announced its carbon-negative goals in 2020. As the company plans to invest $80 billion in data center infrastructure by fiscal year 2025, it acknowledges the tension between its technological advancements and climate commitments. However, instead of relying on short-term measures to offset emissions, Microsoft is focusing on long-term climate solutions, prioritising investments in carbon reduction, carbon removal, and clean energy.
Despite these challenges, Microsoft continues to make progress in other areas of sustainability. Through its Climate Innovation Fund, the company has invested nearly $800 million in startups developing low-carbon technologies, from green steel to sustainable cement. It has also surpassed its land protection goals and expanded water replenishment projects globally. While the company may lose its carbon-neutral status in the short term, Microsoft believes AI will ultimately play a pivotal role in driving more impactful climate solutions in the future. This strategic realignment underscores its focus on achieving meaningful and lasting environmental progress.
The future of mobile networks towards 6G
The Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGMN) has proposed a strategic framework to guide the transformation of network architecture to meet the demands of the next generation of mobile networks. This initiative emphasises the importance of addressing current gaps in 5G, adapting to emerging technologies, and supporting new scenarios that will shape the future of connectivity. According to NGMN, a deliberate and collaborative standardisation process is vital to ensure the smooth evolution of mobile networks.
In its latest publication, “Network Architecture Evolution towards 6G,” NGMN builds upon its earlier work, “6G Position Statement – An Operator View,” released in 2023. The report highlights that the future 6G architecture must resolve current challenges, such as network complexity and integration with legacy systems, while embracing energy efficiency and AI-driven solutions. Arash Ashouriha , Chairman of the NGMN Alliance Board and SVP Group Technology at Deutsche Telekom, stated that the next generation of networks must act as a service-based platform designed to meet the evolving needs of users and industries. He emphasised the importance of establishing clear architectural principles early on to reduce unnecessary complexities, foster collaboration, and align with long-term goals.
Among the principles outlined by NGMN, key priorities include enabling innovation, supporting on-demand deployment of new features, and maintaining backward compatibility with existing network services. The framework also stresses the importance of quantum-safe infrastructure to bolster security and resilience. Additionally, autonomous network management and AI-native designs are regarded as pivotal drivers for 6G architecture, ensuring seamless operation and adaptability. Mobile network operators (MNOs) participating in the initiative have also called for a new 6G air interface that delivers significant advancements, such as higher spectrum efficiency and support for dense, low-cost device connectivity.
Looking ahead, NGMN plans to expand its efforts by developing migration strategies, facilitating coexistence with current 5G networks, and exploring the capabilities necessary for 6G. These initiatives aim to create a scalable, innovative, and sustainable framework that enables seamless transitions while empowering a hyper-connected and intelligent society. Laurent Leboucher, Member of the NGMN Alliance Board and Group CTO and Executive VP Networks at Orange, highlighted the importance of continuous evolution, likening the process to software updates. He stressed that by building on the strengths of 5G and beyond, the industry can maintain a steady flow of innovations, ensuring long-term satisfaction for users and industries alike.