BT announces membership of leading sustainability organisation

DC14-158 April 8, 2014

BT announces membership of leading sustainability organisation

BT signs up to support ambitious global sustainability goals

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) today announces that BT has joined its membership and has committed to the action plans Action2020 and Vision2050*.

BT is an active ambassador for business sustainability and becoming a member of this internationally recognised CEO-led organisation will enable BT to further develop its sustainability ambitions alongside other forward-thinking companies.

BT launched its own Net Good programme last year and aims to use its products and people to help society live within the limits of the planet's resources with a 2020 goal of helping customers reduce carbon emissions by at least three times the end-to-end carbon impact of its own operations.

The WBCSD works to help the global business community create a sustainable future for business, society and the environment. It has launched two powerful programmes which address the most fundamental and pressing sustainable business issues currently being faced:

*Action2020 - is the council's platform for sustainability in action. It's the roadmap for how business can positively influence environmental and social trends while strengthening their own resilience to issues like climate change, demographic dynamics and skills shortages. Based on the latest scientific consensus, Action2020 sets an agenda for business to take action on sustainable development to 2020 and beyond.

*Vision2050 - the council's cornerstone Vision 2050 report calls for a new agenda for business laying out a pathway to a world in which nine billion people can live well, and within the planet's resources, by mid-century. The report features a set of agreed must haves which are intended to provide a springboard for dialogue and debate.

BT CEO Gavin Patterson said: We are proud to be joining the WBCSD at this important time. Working with like-minded companies across the globe is a fantastic opportunity to galvanise sustainable change and BT is committed to using the power of communications to make a better world. It is vital that we demonstrate the role industry must take if we are going to build a more sustainable future.

Peter Bakker, President and CEO, WBCSD said: BT is synonymous across the globe with bringing world-class communications to people and businesses. These links can enable a more sustainable way of working and BT is making great strides in this vital area. Partners like BT can help us deliver on the Action2020 objectives and we welcome them to the organisation.

Gavin Patterson will represent the company as WBCSD Council Member. Kevin Moss, BT's Net Good programme director, will be the WBCSD Liaison Delegate.

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Note to Editors:

About the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development is a CEO-led organization of forward-thinking companies that galvanises the global business community to create a sustainable future for business, society and the environment. Together with its members, the council applies its respected thought leadership and effective advocacy to generate constructive solutions and take shared action. Leveraging its strong relationships with stakeholders as the leading advocate for business, the council helps drive debate and policy change in favor of sustainable development solutions.

The WBCSD provides a forum for its 200 member companies - who represent all business sectors, all continents and a combined revenue of more than $7 trillion - to share best practices on sustainable development issues and to develop innovative tools that change the status quo. The Council also benefits from a network of over 65 national and regional business councils and partner organisations, a majority of which are based in developing countries.

About BT's Better Future programme

Better Future is BT's commitment to use the power of communication to improve lives and ways of doing business without it costing the earth. Better Future embeds responsible and sustainable business practice to build real growth and is rooted in what BT does best bringing together our networks and technology with the expertise of our people to make a better world. Our Better Future programme focuses on three areas, connecting people digitally ( Connected Society'), using our skills and technology to help society support good causes ( Improving Lives'), and ensuring BT makes a net positive contribution to the environment ( Net Good').

Being a responsible and sustainable business leader is one of BT's six strategic priorities for growth. For further information, visit www.bt.com/betterfuture.

Follow us @BTBetterFuture

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