Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Virgin Media O2 score?

VMO2 reports Scope 1 & 2 emissions using GHG Protocol methodology with third-party assurance (assurance opinion published for 2024). Multi-year tracking from 2020 baseline shows 56% absolute reduction in Scope 1 & 2 by 2024. Granular breakdown by fuel type and electricity is provided in the Sustainability Performance Update 2024, with operational control boundary and separate location-based and market-based Scope 2 figures. This represents verified, multi-year tracked, publicly disclosed data wi

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Virgin Media O2 score?

VMO2 quantifies multiple material Scope 3 categories including purchased goods & services (Cat 1), capital goods (Cat 2), fuel/energy related (Cat 3), upstream transport (Cat 4), waste (Cat 5), business travel (Cat 6), and employee commuting (Cat 7) as shown in the 2024 Performance Update. Scope 3 has declined 19% against the 2020 baseline. CDP awarded VMO2 an 'A' rating for Supplier Engagement Assessment in 2024. Suppliers are required to create science-aligned carbon reduction plans. However,

Emissions Trajectory: How does Virgin Media O2 score?

Absolute Scope 1 & 2 emissions have declined 56% from the 2020 baseline by 2024, representing consistent year-on-year reduction (29% by 2022, 45% by 2023, 56% by 2024). Scope 3 emissions have also declined 19% in absolute terms against the same baseline — both are absolute reductions, not intensity-based. The company is on track against SBTi-validated targets of 90% Scope 1&2 reduction by 2030 and 50% Scope 3 by 2030. However, operational waste increased by 2,911 tonnes since 2022 per the 2024 u

Energy Source: How does Virgin Media O2 score?

Virgin Media has been an RE100 member since 2018, sourcing 100% renewable electricity for contracted sites (99.5%+ of total). O2 similarly uses 100% renewable electricity where it controls the bill. A new 10-year PPA with TRIG secures 15% of total electricity from dedicated UK wind farms starting April 2026, adding additionality. The company has also deployed 350 EVs toward full fleet electrification by 2030. However, remaining Scope 1 fuel emissions from vehicles and gas suggest not all energy

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Virgin Media O2 score?

VMO2 has a dedicated Head of Environment, Climate & Nature role that includes TNFD oversight, indicating awareness of nature-related risks. The Better Connections Plan references using IoT and AI to 'restore our natural environment,' but no quantified nature/biodiversity footprint, deforestation-free commitments, or TNFD-aligned disclosure has been published in the available data. As a telecoms company, VMO2's direct nature impact is relatively low (no agricultural or extractive operations), but

Resource Use & Waste: How does Virgin Media O2 score?

VMO2 demonstrates strong circular economy commitment: 8.5 million circular actions by customers, 4 million devices processed through O2 Recycle since 2009, 11 million routers/set-top boxes refurbished since 2014. Hub 5 router casings made from 100% recycled plastic, saving 2.5kg CO2e per unit. Target of zero waste operations by 2025 with 95% recycled and <5% incineration. 65 tonnes of single-use plastic removed. However, total operational waste increased by 2,911 tonnes since 2022, and the zero

Water Impact: How does Virgin Media O2 score?

No water consumption data, water footprint, or water stewardship initiatives were found in any of the searched sources. As a telecommunications company, VMO2's direct water impact is relatively low compared to water-intensive industries — data centre cooling is the main operational water use. The company's Sustainability Performance Update does not appear to include water metrics. Score reflects that the company has negligible direct water pollution risk but has not publicly disclosed water cons

Targets & Commitments: How does Virgin Media O2 score?

VMO2 has SBTi-validated near-term and long-term targets: 90% absolute Scope 1 & 2 reduction by 2030 (from 2020 baseline), 50% absolute Scope 3 by 2030, and 90% absolute Scope 3 by 2040, maintaining 90% Scope 1&2 reductions through 2040. These are all absolute targets, not intensity-based, aligned with 1.5°C. Net zero by 2040 across full value chain. No reliance on offsets mentioned in recent reporting — approach is reduction-first. The parent Virgin Holdings Limited also had SBTi net-zero target

Transparency & Accountability: How does Virgin Media O2 score?

VMO2 publishes annual Sustainability Performance Updates (2022, 2023, 2024) with third-party assurance. It has a Chief Sustainability Officer (Dana Haidan) and a Head of Environment, Climate & Nature. The company discloses via CDP (achieving 'A' rating for supplier engagement) and publishes reporting criteria and assurance opinions separately. Carbon reduction targets are tied to executive compensation through the annual bonus scheme. However, it is a private JV (not publicly listed), so it does

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Virgin Media O2 score?

Starting at 8. No greenwashing rulings, climate lawsuits, or regulatory fines were found against Virgin Media O2 specifically. ASA greenwashing complaints relate to Virgin Atlantic (a separate Virgin Group company, not VMO2). Some criticism of the broader Virgin brand's offset approach exists in older reporting (2020 In These Times article), but this relates to Virgin Atlantic, not VMO2's telecoms operations. No InfluenceMap score was found for VMO2, and no evidence of anti-climate lobbying. VMO

Virgin Media O2 Sustainability Score: 51/100

Q: Water Impact: How does Virgin Media O2 score?

No water consumption data, water footprint, or water stewardship initiatives were found in any of the searched sources. As a telecommunications company, VMO2's direct water impact is relatively low compared to water-intensive industries — data centre cooling is the main operational water use. The company's Sustainability Performance Update does not appear to include water metrics. Score reflects that the company has negligible direct water pollution risk but has not publicly disclosed water cons

Q: Targets & Commitments: How does Virgin Media O2 score?

VMO2 has SBTi-validated near-term and long-term targets: 90% absolute Scope 1 & 2 reduction by 2030 (from 2020 baseline), 50% absolute Scope 3 by 2030, and 90% absolute Scope 3 by 2040, maintaining 90% Scope 1&2 reductions through 2040. These are all absolute targets, not intensity-based, aligned with 1.5°C. Net zero by 2040 across full value chain. No reliance on offsets mentioned in recent reporting — approach is reduction-first. The parent Virgin Holdings Limited also had SBTi net-zero target

Q: Transparency & Accountability: How does Virgin Media O2 score?

VMO2 publishes annual Sustainability Performance Updates (2022, 2023, 2024) with third-party assurance. It has a Chief Sustainability Officer (Dana Haidan) and a Head of Environment, Climate & Nature. The company discloses via CDP (achieving 'A' rating for supplier engagement) and publishes reporting criteria and assurance opinions separately. Carbon reduction targets are tied to executive compensation through the annual bonus scheme. However, it is a private JV (not publicly listed), so it does

Q: Controversies & Red Flags: How does Virgin Media O2 score?

Starting at 8. No greenwashing rulings, climate lawsuits, or regulatory fines were found against Virgin Media O2 specifically. ASA greenwashing complaints relate to Virgin Atlantic (a separate Virgin Group company, not VMO2). Some criticism of the broader Virgin brand's offset approach exists in older reporting (2020 In These Times article), but this relates to Virgin Atlantic, not VMO2's telecoms operations. No InfluenceMap score was found for VMO2, and no evidence of anti-climate lobbying. VMO

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

Virgin Media O2·Telecommunications·Hammersmith, United Kingdom·Founded 2021·Last verified 22 April 2026

out of 100

Making progressPending Review

Virgin Media O2 has delivered material carbon reductions (56% Scope 1&2, 19% Scope 3 since 2020) backed by SBTi validation and third-party assurance. Weaknesses: water impact unmeasured, nature/biodiversity commitment unquantified, operational waste rising, and reliance on brand reputation despite separate Virgin Atlantic greenwashing issues.

No challenges currently filed

The calculation

Every score shows its working.

Same formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.

SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale

Industry base impact

Telecommunications sector ceiling.

55 / 100

Performance score

Sum of the 10 rubric questions, scored 0–10 each.

65 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 55) + (0.7 × 65) = 62.0

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.82

Final score

Rounded. Making progress.

51 / 100

The ten questions

Where Virgin Media O2 is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Targets & Commitments (8/10, 8/10). Weakest on Water Impact and Nature & Biodiversity Impact (3/10, 4/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

13 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.

[1]Self-reported

Sustainability Performance Update 2024

2025

Q1Q2Q7

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[2]Self-reported

Virgin Media O2 Corporate Statements

Ongoing

Q1Q9

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[3]Self-reported

Virgin Media O2 Awarded 'A' Rating for Supplier Engagement and Ethical Supply Chain Practices

2024

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[4]Self-reported

sustainabletimes.co.uk — virgin media o2 cuts carbon emissions by 56 since 2020

Unknown

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[5]Public record

How Virgin Media O2 Rescues Waste Business Electronics

Unknown

Q3Q6

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[6]Self-reported

Virgin Media Commits to Using 100% Renewable Electricity and Joins RE100 Initiative

2018

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[7]Self-reported

VMO2 Doubles Down on Renewable Energy to Future-Proof Network Resilience

2025

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[8]Public record

Org Chart: Rob McCann, Head of Environment, Climate & Nature

Unknown

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[9]Public record

How Virgin Media O2 Will Achieve Net-Zero Carbon by 2040

Unknown

Q5Q8

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[10]Public record

Virgin Media O2 Earns Recognition for Sustainability Leadership

Unknown

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[11]Public record

Virgin Media O2 Cuts Carbon Emissions by 56% Since 2020

Unknown

Q8Q9

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[12]Third-party verified

Misleading Green Claims: UK Ad Bans

2025

Q10

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[13]Self-reported

Powering the Future with Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficient Tech

Unknown

Q10

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If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.

Virgin Media O2 in context

Where Virgin Media O2 sits among telecommunications peers.

Among the 11 major telecommunications brands we've scored, Virgin Media O2 sits 5th of 11.

5/11

Virgin Media O2's rank

Industry average

Industry low

Industry high

10Huawei Technologies

11Verizon Communications

How this score has moved

Virgin Media O2's score over time.

Score history begins 4 April 2026.

As Virgin Media O2's score updates, the trajectory will appear here.

We're backfilling historical scores for FTSE 100 and S&P 100 companies over the coming weeks.

What's being contested

This score is not currently being contested.

Every challenge is published. We'd rather be corrected than wrong — that's the whole point.

No challenges submitted yet. If you have evidence that contradicts this score, you can challenge any question above — cite a public source and we'll review it.

About Virgin Media O2

Virgin Media O2 is a UK-based telecommunications operator formed from the 2021 merger of Virgin Media and O2. It provides fixed-line broadband, television, mobile, and business services to millions of customers across the UK. As a major telecoms infrastructure company, its material impacts centre on energy use, supply chain emissions, and electronic waste.

Founded

2021

Headquarters

Hammersmith, United Kingdom

Employees

~16,000

Annual revenue

~£10.7B

Company website ↗

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