BAI Communications Australia has announced a target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2040 as part of its Towards Carbon Neutral (TCN) program.
BAI's TCN will see the communications infrastructure provider invest $20 million over five years to reach a 65% reduction of its absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 from the 2010 baseline and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.
BAI has already invested in energy-efficient assets and green energy solutions, putting the company on track to net zero.
This includes replacing high-power Digital Television (DTV) transmitters with more efficient ones and introducing solar-powered sites in the company's broadcast transmission network.
Additionally, BAI decommissioned several broadcast services, including analogue television, which aided its efforts.
"As a company with an extensive infrastructure network across Australia, we are committed to continuous improvement in managing our energy use and reducing consumption," BAI Communications Australia CEO Peter Lambourne says.
"We're making solid progress, having already achieved a 55.8% emissions reduction from 164,005 tonnes CO2e since 2010.
"Our Towards Carbon Neutral program significantly expands this longstanding commitment to take meaningful action and we believe that our ability to set and demonstrate progress put us on the right path to achieve our new ambition."
BAI notes that communications networks are crucial for the country, which is why its TCN program aims to reduce the emissions that come from their high reliance on electricity to reliably power transmission sites.
The program will lower emissions from the FY2023 further with a range of initiatives designed to replace aging assets with energy-efficient alternatives and supplement them with green energy at selected BAI owned and operated locations.
Key initiatives and targets to reduce BAI's carbon footprint include:
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) installation
This initiative will be a significant program of work to install solar panels at 36 sites and batteries at four sites.
- FM antenna replacement
The program will see four major streams of work to replace aging FM antennas with double aperture ones.
- FM transmitter upgrade
Aging equipment will also be replaced with more energy-efficient options at three sites.
"We've taken our 2030 medium-term target and extended our planning over the long term, developing a credible roadmap to support our ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2040," BAI Communications Australia property, energy and sustainability general manager Kevin Pike says.
"Transitioning our operations to net zero will ensure BAI continues delivering reliable services for the benefit of Australian communities and our customers."
Even though the TCN plan currently includes carbon offsetting to support achieving net zero emissions by 2040, BAI anticipates reviewing this with the flexibility to explore and add incremental energy-saving initiatives to the plan.
"Towards Carbon Neutral is an investment in the future. It signals BAI's commitment to responsibly futureproofing Australia's vital communications infrastructure, taking demonstrable, long-term action to transition our network to a zero-carbon future," Lambourne adds.