Containing our impact on the environment

In a 2007 study, research firm Gartner estimates that 2% of global CO2 emissions are produced by the ICT industry. It is generally accepted that CO2 emissions contribute to global warming and climate change. Mobile phones and networks have environmental impacts at every stage of their lifecycle – from manufacture and use through to disposal. Vodacom focuses on reducing these impacts at the stages where we have direct control. Three environmental issues are where we have the ability to reduce our environmental impact:

• Consumption of resources;
• Placement of base stations; and
• Electronic waste.

As a responsible corporate citizen, Vodacom is committed to internationally accepted environmental practices and national regulations. Vodacom SA achieved a rating of 78.5% following an external audit of compliance with South African Environmental legislation, conducted by Lexis Nexis Butterworths in August 2008, down from 90.8% in February 2008. The reduced score can be ascribed to the bigger sample (75% of Vodacom SA’s operations) covered by the audit compared to the previous year. Vodacom SA received one notice regarding non-compliance to environmental regulations (directive issued in terms of Section 19 of the National Water Act no 36 of 1998, Preventing and Remedying the effects of pollution). A diesel leak was detected from the Techno Park building into the continuation pond which feeds into the storm water drainage system. A full clean-up and rehabilitation action plan was put in place. To prevent any further incidents the diesel installation was re-engineered.

Vodacom SA’s environmental management system was certified by an independent agency, Dekra Certification GmbH, in November 2008. No concerns were raised by the auditor and Vodacom SA unconditionally retained ISO 14001 certification.

Consumption of resources

Vodacom SA’s consumption of energy, water, paper and fuel is shown in the table below.

¹Electricity consumption at sites is an approximate value based on the use of averages. Vodacom is working on more accurate consumption measures

Vodacom has a number of initiatives in place to contain, and ultimately reduce, the consumption of energy and other resources:

• Reducing energy consumption – A three-year strategic roadmap setting out targets for reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions from base stations has been formulated, projecting cumulative power savings of over 80 000 MWh and 70 000 tons of CO2 emissions. We are likely to make a greater impact at our 3G base stations, as opposed to our 2G base stations, as
  3G installations are more efficient in using power. Accurate measurement of energy use remains a priority.
• Using renewable energy – Vodacom is experimenting with the use of renewable energy sources (fuel cells, solar, wind power) to power our network equipment, especially during times of peak energy demand. Other products being developed make use of safer fuel sources such as methanol/water mixtures.
• “Greening” its buildings – Vodacom has identified two main areas in which improvements can be made to existing buildings: better management of water (i.e. waterless urinals) and energy efficiency (i.e. intelligent lighting solutions). At the new office building in Durban we will be installing more energy efficient lighting and air-conditioning.
• Reducing powered air-conditioning – During 2008, Vodacom SA installed 280 units that make use of ‘free cooling’ technology at our base stations, resulting in a reduction of up to 60% in energy used for cooling. A further 1 000 such units will be installed during the current financial year. Free cooling technology has also been applied to our offices in Midrand, while the design and layout of our data centres are being improved to reduce the cooling requirement.
• Improving generator usage – Hybrid systems are being developed to reduce generator run-time and fuel consumption.
• “Greening” its catering facilities – Various measures have been implemented in our catering facilities to reduce energy use and waste, including the recycling of cooking oil (approximately 1 400 litres per annum), management of ‘time in use’ and the collection of food waste for bio-recycling.
• Reducing water consumption – Water-wise management techniques are being applied at all gardens and water features that surround the company’s buildings.

Placement of base stations

Vodacom SA has a policy in place to guide the placement of base stations, drawing on demographic studies, research results and customer requests to determine the most appropriate location for new base stations. This policy complies with ECNS licence requirements, as well as with legislation governing the stakeholder engagement process required before a new base station can be built. As required by national legislation, independent environmental impact assessments are conducted for all new site proposals.

These help protect plant and animal species against habitat loss, fragmentation and extinction, and prevent erosion and the destruction of wetlands, vital to the preservation of a country’s water supply.

Vodacom SA has devised innovative ways to blend base stations in with the surrounding environment, with 309 of these modified base stations currently in operation. Examples include locating antennae on existing structures, painting them to blend in to the background, or disguising masts as windmills, trees or billboard towers.

Electronic waste

Electronic waste includes network equipment, IT and handset waste:

• Network equipment waste – Vodacom has not yet managed to accurately measure network equipment waste, but has mapped the waste stream and redesigned the equipment chain to include a formal system of collection, reuse and disposal.
• IT waste – Vodacom intends to launch an E-waste recycling programme with our IT vendors that will allow for the recycling of old equipment in a formalised and controlled process.
• Handset waste – Handsets sent to our Vodacare outlets that are beyond repair are collected for recycling. After sorting for recyclable parts, the handsets are sent for dismantling and further sorting into component materials that are either recycled, or disposed of responsibly. In the year ended 31 March 2009, just over 12 400 cell phones were recycled. In March 2008, Vodacom SA also introduced a waste disposal process allowing customers to dispose of their unwanted cell phones and accessories in an environmentally friendly way.