MTN Nigeria announced on the 6th of September that it would be investing in renewable energy solutions as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce emissions, which will assist Nigeria in meeting its net zero objectives.
The information and communications technology (ICT) company shared in its 2023 Climate Change Report how it was partnering with a renewable energy Independent Power Producer (IPP) programme to deploy a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) power plan to supply both its corporate office and MTN Plaza, as well as its main data centre in Ikoyi. This was done in order to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.
The Climate Change Act of 2021 was passed in Nigeria with the intention of achieving low greenhouse gas emissions, and green and sustainable growth. It does this by laying out the guidelines necessary to establish a net zero GHG target between the years 2050 and 2070.
The goal of the Nigerian government is to reduce its net carbon footprint to zero as quickly as possible in the second part of this century.
According to the findings of various experts, transitioning to a new energy source is a labor-intensive endeavour that must be carried out in a measured and deliberate manner to assure continuous development and sustainability.
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The environmental impact of the Telecom industry
When it comes to bringing people together and paving the way for digital change, the telecommunications industry plays a crucial role. However, this industry is also a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), not just as a result of its own operations, but also as a result of its supply chain and the usage of the products it produces.
When compared to other industries, such as manufacturing and power and energy, the telecommunications business is responsible for under 2% of the world’s total carbon emissions in 2021. Despite this, consumer internet traffic from around the world, driven primarily by online video streaming, has been growing at a compound annual growth rate of roughly 34% since 2015.
Powering their infrastructure with renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower is an option for companies that provide telecommunications services. This can help them drastically lower their carbon impact while also helping them become less dependent on fossil fuels.
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The remedy MTN offers
MTN stated in its report on climate change that the deployment of three 1.1 megawatt (MW) gas generators has resulted in a considerable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and has resulted in a reduction in energy costs of more than NGN570 million.
In addition, motion light sensors have been put in MTN Nigeria’s buildings and switching centre in order to manage the company’s power consumption. Additionally, MTN Nigeria erected a proof-of-concept solar project with a capacity of 56 kilowatts, which generates more than 4,000 kilowatt hours of clean electricity on a monthly basis.
Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, made the following statement: “Our commitment to Nigeria goes beyond connectivity. We recognise the environmental challenges our nation faces, and we’re dedicated to being part of the solution. Our investments in sustainable energy and infrastructure are not just good for business; they’re essential for the future of Nigeria.”
In the meantime, MTN Nigeria has revealed that the mPulse Spelling Bee Competition would be returning for its fourth year. The competition for this year got under way on August 21, 2023, and it has a combination of digital and on-site models. The first two rounds of the competition were held on the website for the MTN mPulse. The competition’s culmination is going to take place in Lagos, according to the current plans.
“Targeted at primary and secondary school students between 9 and 15 years old, the competition is a proposition launched in 2020 to inspire a love for language and learning while promoting healthy competition among students.”
“Since its inception, the competition has empowered over 40,000 Nigerian students with digital skills, educational materials, and adequate resources to maximise their potential,” a statement revealed.
Adia Sowho, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of MTN Nigeria, underlined the brand’s unshakable commitment to education and young empowerment while discussing the brand’s dedication to education and youth empowerment.