MTN Group signs Copenhagen Communiqué ahead of Climate Change summit
MTN Group has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing the impact of climate change by becoming the latest signatory to the Copenhagen Communiqué on Climate Change.
As a signatory to the Copenhagen Communiqué on Climate Change, the MTN Group has added its voice to the growing chorus calling for environmentally-friendly practices. The Group has joined business leaders of over 500 global companies who have attached their signatures to the Copenhagen Communiqué in the run-up to the United Nations Climate Change conference next month.
Recent studies have shown that Information Communications Technologies (ICTs) can have a significant environmental impact in terms of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
A 2008 Global e-Sustainability Initiative report estimated that ICTs can reduce emissions by up to 22% by 2020 through environmentally-friendly practices such as smart logistics, smart buildings, a smart power grid and reducing travel through videoconferencing and tele-work.
The signing of the Copenhagen Communiqué is expected to serve the following:
· Communicate MTN Group’s commitment to ensuring sustainability in its business practises;
· Elevate sustainability issues within MTN into business imperatives;
· Add further weight to submissions, particularly those from markets where MTN operates in Africa and the Middle East.
Ms Nozipho January-Bardill, MTN Group Executive: Corporate Affairs, said it is MTN’s long term plan to honour its pledge to protect the environment by demonstrating the company’s corporate commitment to the sustainability cause.
“Having a presence in Africa and the Middle East, we are acutely aware of how vulnerable our markets are to the adverse impact of climate change. Our signing of the Communiqué is a great leap for MTN’s Corporate Social Responsibility and demonstrates our commitment to the concept of People, Planet, Profit and a positive legacy for generations to come,” said January-Bardill.
ENDS
-Issued by MTN Group Corporate Affairs
ABOUT THE MTN GROUP
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, operating in 21 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: "MTN". As at 30 September 2009, MTN recorded 108 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. The MTN Group is a global sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and has exclusive mobile content rights for Africa and the Middle East. Visit www.mtn.com and www.mtnfootball.com
For more information please contact:
Pearl Majola
MTN Group Communications
Mobile: +27 83 212 2459
Email: Majola_p@mtn.co.za
Maphamola Lebelo
MTN Group Communications
Mobile: +27 83 212 9918
Email: Lebelo_m@mtn.co.za |
