Climate neutrality and reduction of the carbon footprint. How to care for the planet? “Going away? Turn off” [PODCAST]

On April 22, we celebrate International Earth Day. At Gazeta.pl, we try to write and talk about ecology and environmental protection every day, but at this particular time we want to draw even more attention to the problem of polluting our planet. Scientists have no doubt that as humanity we contribute to the formation of toxic waste, sewage, dust and gas emissions. Human activity reduces the amount of natural resources.

Talking about ecology is of particular importance in the context of the technology industry. The UN report clearly indicates that up to 50 million tons of e-waste are generated in the world each year. But that doesn’t mean tech companies are doing nothing. On the contrary. Many introduce very real actions that translate into, for example, reducing resource consumption or extending the life of devices, facilitating their processing. One such company is Orange. The company has appointed a completely new position in its structures. Jacek Hutyra, who as Climate Officer responsible for designing and implementing activities within the Orange Goes Green project, talked about the effects of his work in the TechnoTerapia studio. He revealed that in the company he is somewhat jokingly referred to as “climate minister”. – What does the Minister of Climate do in Orange? asked Daniel Maikowski.

Orange wants to change its impact on the climate. “38% less emissions”

The guest of TechnoTerapia emphasized that the creation of a new function was necessary, because Orange Polska generates approximately one third of emissions in the structure of the entire global Orange group. One of the factors is the fact that electricity in Poland still comes mainly from coal. He assured that his actions are to bring very concrete results.

– Slides from which nothing follows can be produced for years. How to build team engagement? This is the heart of the matter, the key to success, i.e. reducing the impact on the climate. Searching for positive solutions for others is something that must be included in business

– he said, describing his tasks in Orange. – The transformation of the energy structure requires, above all, the work of teams that buy energy and contract. It requires the support of lawyers, financiers to organize it. It requires customer involvement, brand cooperation, marketing, sales, whether digital or in the physical network of our stores. It all just has to happen where our people are. “It can’t be buying a bucket of green paint, repainting everything,” he said.

And he provided data that supports this thesis. – At the end of 2022, we already had 38 percent. less own emissions, which the company actually controls itself and over which it has practically full management, full control. 38 percent less compared to 2015. And we confirm that we will meet the target of minus 65 percent in advance. scheduled for 2025 – assured the guest of the podcast. “These are measurable, real results,” he stressed.

Energy in a digital world challenge. “The unused one is the greenest”

Jacek Hutyra also emphasized that energy in Poland in the digital sector is the biggest challenge when it comes to ecology. – Telecommunication network, base stations, cables, all this requires electricity. In the same way, our customers at home need electricity to use our services – emphasized the interlocutor of TechnoTerapia.

He also explained that we should do everything to use as little energy as possible. This is the best way to measurably reduce resource consumption.

– Unused, unwasted energy is the best for the planet, the greenest and the cheapest, because we didn’t use it, we didn’t emit it and we didn’t pay

– emphasized Jacek Hutyra. He also emphasized that in the years 2015-2022 Orange led to an 18% reduction in energy consumption “despite a fourfold increase in the volume of data transmission”.

Increasing energy efficiency must also take place for one more reason. The reason is the development of civilization.

With the development of technology, with the digitization of subsequent areas, with the change in how societies and businesses function, and with the virtualization of various things, in the end, energy consumption will have to slowly increase

– said Jacek Hutyra.

What to do to save the planet? Reduce your own carbon footprint

The Orange expert also assured that each of us can measurably contribute to reducing energy consumption and reducing our own carbon footprint. It is worth starting with very simple steps.

Are you going on vacation, going away for the weekend, do not plan to use the set-top box or modem for a long time? Turn it off. This is a very simple operation that does not require any technological competence, which reduces the power consumption of this device to zero

– explained the representative of the telecom.

There can be more activities that translate into savings. For example, it is about unsubscribing from unnecessary newsletters, adjusting the video resolution to the device you use, choosing Wi-Fi rather than a mobile network if you have Wi-Fi, enumerated Jacek Hutyra.

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