altafiber Commits to 40% Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction by 2030, Releases Emissions Inventory Report For 2021

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--altafiber today announced that it has set a near-term, company-wide greenhouse gas emission reduction target in line with climate science and in step with the Science Based Target initiative’s guidelines for Information and Communication Technology companies.

altafiber commits to a 40% emissions reduction by 2030, a target in alignment with the objectives of the Paris Climate Accord to limit global warming to 1.5-degrees Celsius. altafiber also publicly released its greenhouse gas emissions inventory for 2021, which will form its baseline for reductions. The report is available via this link.

altafiber has an existing goal to reduce GHG emissions intensity to net-zero by 2040, matching the commitment of its parent company, Macquarie Asset Management, but lacked an interim target for emissions reduction.

“Truly reducing our emissions is at the heart of what we do at altafiber,” said Tom Simpson, Chief Operating Officer of altafiber. “Engaging in a methodical way to ensure our science-based targets are achievable and are meaningful is critical to ensure there is an opportunity for our children and grandchildren to enjoy the same environment we’ve grown up in.”

Moving forward, altafiber is formulating unique climate action plans for its Cincinnati-based business, altafiber, and its Hawaii-based business, Hawaiian Telcom.

“It’s a critical time for climate change, and we are acting boldly to reduce our emissions. Our mission is to provide high-speed, reliable communications for our community and neighbors. And we want to connect our neighbors and businesses, free from pollution, adding value to the communities we serve. That’s our environmental vision,” said Nadja Turek, altafiber Director for Sustainability.

“Our target is ambitious and is aligned with other committed companies and governments working to prevent warming more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. Our work to provide fiberoptic service and retire legacy copper network technology is the key to decarbonizing our business. Fortunately, the move to fiberoptics also provides faster and more reliable connections to our customers while netting a significant carbon-footprint reduction over our legacy copper product – truly a win-win.”

altafiber’s 2021 GHG disclosure complies with the Global Reporting Initiative Standards and was third-party verified. In 2022, the company also strengthened its reporting under the Carbon Disclosure Project and participated in GRESB reporting for the first time. altafiber plans to release its first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report in early 2023, which will detail advancements in sustainability, its community engagement work including the Bell Charitable Foundation, and governance of ESG. For more information on altafiber’s sustainability efforts, please click here.

About altafiber

Cincinnati Bell is now doing business as “altafiber” in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. The Company delivers integrated communications solutions to residential and business customers over its fiber-optic network including high-speed internet, video, voice and data. The Company also provides service in Hawai’i under the brand Hawaiian Telcom. In addition, the Company’s enterprise customers across the United States and Canada rely on CBTS and OnX, wholly-owned subsidiaries, for efficient, scalable office communications systems and end-to-end IT solutions. For more information, please visit www.altafiber.com. The information on the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference in this press release.

Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) is an organization that helps companies define their decarbonization strategy and reduce the impacts of climate change within a framework aligned with limiting planetary warming to 1.5-degree Celsius. Information is found at https://sciencebasedtargets.org/