As energy consumption and carbon emissions in the telecom sectors continued to rise because of the huge demand for mobile services, Globe Telecom Inc. and PLDT Inc. vowed to make their networks green and eco-friendly
According to mobile phone maker Ericsson, the overall telco industry accounts for about 1.4 percent of emissions worldwide, slightly lower from the aviation sector, which generates 2 percent of global carbon emissions.
Because of this, Globe and PLDT have committed to reduce their carbon footprint by actively supporting the Race To Zero global campaign spearheaded by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and COP26 Presidency and backed by the GSMA, the global mobile industry body.
The Race To Zero campaign involves a major multi-stakeholder coalition of leaders, aims to send a resounding signal to governments that businesses, cities, regions and investors are united in achieving net zero emissions and in creating a more inclusive and resilient economy.
“We are one with global mobile operators in helping the mobile industry achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. We acknowledge that this requires a collective effort to realize large-scale positive impact,” Ernest Cu, president and chief executive of Globe, said.
Mats Granryd, director general, GSMA, said the mobile sector is a fundamental part of today’s and the future global economy.
“Our industry has a unique role to play in reaching a Net Zero economy. We are showing this leadership and taking responsibility for driving positive climate action,” he said.
Last year, the GSMA led the development of a mobile industry climate action roadmap that adopted the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) to chart a resilient, zero-carbon future for network operators.
Globe was among the first 50 mobile operators in the world to take action on carbon disclosures and to manage the impact of its operations on the environment.
With carbon dioxide, methane, and other harmful GHG being continuously released to the atmosphere, it is estimated that global aver- age temperatures will go up between 1.5 and 5 degrees Celsius in many locations in the next 30 years.
The situation could lead to intensifying climate hazards that “could put millions of lives at risk, as well as trillions of dollars of economic activity and physical capital, and the world’s stock of natural capital,” according to the report on “Climate risk and response: Physical hazards and socioeconomic impacts” released by McKinsey Global Institute early this year.
It found that all 105 countries studied are expected to experience an increase in at least one major type of impact whether on livability and workability, food production, physical assets, infrastructure, or natural capital by 2030 due to extreme heat, extreme precipitation, flooding, forest fires, melting ice caps, among other hazards.
Globe’s green network initiatives
Recognizing these threats, Globe has started its journey towards decarbonizing its operations and enhancing clean energy procurement by buying power bundled with verified carbon off- sets sourced from renewable energy plants. It has also engaged partners to implement renewable energy solutions like solar panels and fuel cells within its operations.
For instance, by securing and retiring carbon offsets coming from renewable energy sources, Globe was able to achieve carbon neutrality for the electricity consumption of its headquarters and two other offices in Cebu and Quezon City.
This earned Globe the Gold Standard Verified Emission Reduction (VER) which assures the company’s capability to declare 100 percent offsetting of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with its electricity consumption.
VER is a certificate awarded to projects, mostly in developing countries, that decrease or avoid CO2 emissions. It is attained through verification of avoided carbon impacts by renewable energy installations such as solar, wind farms and hydropower plants, as well as through energy-efficiency projects. It is backed by recognized international quality standards such as the Voluntary Carbon Standard and the Gold Standard.
Globe currently has a three-year contract with AC Energy for the offsetting of its carbon emissions in its facilities without any effect on the quality of power supply.
AC Energy is the energy platform of Ayala Corporation, with over $1 billion of invested and committed equity in renewable and thermal energy in the Philippines and around the region.
Aside from its buildings, Globe has deployed green solutions such as fuel cell systems, direct current (DC)-Hybrid Generator, free cooling system, and lithium-ion batteries to achieve energy efficiency in its cell sites. These solutions use cleaner fuel with lower emissions, consume less diesel fuel, and provide energy efficient heat removal.
The company has decommissioned legacy machines to ensure only energy efficient systems are used for its operations and is also preparing to gain ISO 50001 Certification for energy management to ensure that a structured management system is in place to reduce energy consumption.
Globe, likewise, operates ISO-certified and energy efficient data centers and implements waste management for electronic waste and for single-use plastics in the Globe headquarters. It also offsets its carbon footprint through tree planting and reforestation programs.
PLDT Group supports zero gas emissions
Alfredo Panlilio, president of Smart and chief revenue officer of PLDT, said they are pursuing several key initiatives to reduce its carbon emissions.
“PLDT and Smart are one with the GSMA in the Race To Zero. Where at the finish line awaits the wreath of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” he said.
“For this purpose, we are pursuing several key initiatives: First, we are reducing emissions by progressively improving our operational efficiencies. Second, we are turning to green technologies. For example in 2019, we reduced our greenhouse gas intensity by 10 percent even though the number of our base stations increased by 25 percent,” he added.
Third, Panlilio said PLDT Group is pursuing the use of renewable energy in its facilities.
Lastly, the company is participating in carbon-offset programs that protect the environment.
“So for us ‘The Race to Zero’ has already begun and we have hit the ground running,” Panlilio said.
“We realize this is not a sprint but a marathon. So we will run this race at a steady pace, keep our eyes focused on our goal and stay determined to see it through to the finish line,” he added.
PLDT said several energy conservation initiatives such as changing of busted fluorescent lamps with LED lights, use of more energy-efficient air conditioning units, installation of new elevators, and replacement of old chillers were completed in 2019 that translated to almost 2 million kWh saved.
Some of PLDT’s data centers are installed with Chilled Water Cooling System that uses chilled water to produce cold air faster, consuming less power as compared to traditional air conditioning units.
“We shall continue to champion eco-efficiency by reducing the impact of our business on the environment and helping various com- munities curb the effects of climate change. We have a lot of programs, including making our marketing and merchandising materials more eco-friendly,” Panlilio said.
“We will continue to shift away from the use of plastics and move to recyclable materials. This is on top of the various partnerships we have established to help protect and conserve our rainforests, mangroves, and marine life — all leveraging on digital technology and our network,” he added.
In an effort to offset its greenhouse gas emissions in its operations, Smart has been planting trees since 2004.
Together with various private collaborators, community stakeholders, school partners and volunteers from PLDT-Smart and sister companies, Smart has planted over 1.5 million seedlings and propagules in adopted planting sites, including Marikina Watershed and Ipo Watershed, Sasmuan Bangkung Malapad Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area, Calatagan, Subic, Mt. Banahaw, Puerto Princesa, and Calabanga in Camarines Sur in Luzon; Cebu, Olango Island, Negros Oriental and Occidental, Iloilo, Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, and Bohol in Visayas; and Misamis Oriental, Surigao, Zamboanga, Sarangani, Digos, Davao City, and Tawi-Tawi in Mindanao.
Smart’s fuel cell technology
Meanwhile, in an effort to transition to more sustainable and environment-friendly solutions, while providing connectivity to more communities, Smart will roll out fuel cell sites in challenged-grid areas nationwide starting the second quarter until the end of the year.
Smart’s shift to green energy follows the announcement of the Department of Energy (DOE) last year hat the Filipino government will no longer accept proposals to build new coal power plants, from the new Energy Conservation and Efficiency Act signed into law in 2019. These significant policy shifts help boost the deployment of cleaner energy sources, to help ensure more sustainable growth for the country.
“PLDT and Smart are active advocates of sustainable development. As we face daunting challenges on how to protect our environment and promote more equitable social development, Smart’s cutting-edge technologies can play a significant role in rallying the right socio-environmental mindset and driving a greater sense of responsibility to the planet,” said Panlilio. Smart’s 2021 foray to green technology will be made possible through a partnership with Denmark-based renewable energy company SerEnergy. A world-leading developer and supplier of methanol-based fuel cell solutions, the company will install over 90 green cell sites for Smart in off- and bad-/challenged grid urban and rural locations.
What is fuel cell technology?
In a fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen are combined to generate electricity, heat, and water to produce electricity through an electrochemical reaction, instead of combustion. The system is based on methanol-powered fuel, which can be combined with solar, wind and other renewable resources to present a sustainable, cost-effective eco-system. Stationary fuel cells pro- vide virtually emission-free power and do not produce particulate pollutants or unburned hydrocarbons. They emit less carbon dioxide than other technologies, and when using fuel generated from renewable sources such as biomass, fuel cells are completely carbon neutral.
“Smart’s transition to green energy places the company upfront as one of the pioneers in its industry, setting an important agenda in securing the environment through sustainable solutions,” said PLDT and Smart SVP for Network Planning and Engineering Mario G. Tamayo.
With over 15 years of experience with cutting-edge fuel cell technology, with power and backup solutions for telecom as a prime segment, SerEnergy also provides utility and industrial sectors with methanol-based fuel cell systems. “We are excited that Smart has chosen our clean power technology that besides from delivering people-, nature- and environmentally friendly energy, makes no compromise on quality,” said SerEnergy Commercial Manager Morten Thomsen.
Aside from the environmental benefits of fuel cell -powered sites, the technology is said to be more cost-effective over the lifetime of the unit, compared to existing technologies. In cost-per-unit-of-energy terms, methanol compares favorably with both gasoline and diesel.
In many cases, fuel cells are also able to offer higher reliability, with no degradation of capacity over time and limited maintenance needed. These solutions also operate with low noise and vibration, meeting regulations for low environmental impact. In terms of safety, methanol is less prone to ignite than gasoline.
GSMA’s Race To Zero global movement
Smart’s partnership with SerEnergy follows its commitment to the Race to Zero campaign of the United Nations and GSM Association (GSMA), as a member of the trade alliance’s Climate Action Task Force.
The movement of the global industry organization of mobile network operators highlights broad-based commitment to zero emissions from all stakeholders, building back better from the COVID-19 context. Race to Zero is a global campaign that aims to mobilize leadership and support from business cities, regions, and investors for a net zero greenhouse gas emissions economy by 2050, preferably earlier.
“PLDT and Smart have been incorporating sustainable development into our strategies and have adopted relevant practices such as shifting to green technologies, progressively improving operational efficiencies, and pursuing the use of renewable energy in our facilities,” Panlilio said.
Live Smarter for a Better World
Smart’s venture into fuel cell technology for more environment-friendly cell sites is a key pillar of its “Live Smarter for a Better World” campaign. Under the movement, Smart intends to inspire people to commit to sustainable actions with lasting, positive impact to society.
“Being the country’s largest telecommunications company has put us in the best position to give back to society through initiatives that leverage on our integrated technology, digital innovations, and robust network – the fastest in the Philippines,” Panlilio said.
Smart aims to increase public awareness on green energy as it deploys fuel cell powered sites until the end of 2021.
“This initiative underscores what we have communicated in our Better World campaign: That we should strive to save what we can, while we can. Share more knowledge to build, and not to destroy. Show the ways to heal, and not to hurt. That we should strive to live smarter and make the world better, as we have the power to create a better world not just for our individual selves, but for the good of all,” Panlilio detailed.