Telecommunications company 2degrees’ ice sculpture, installed in central Auckland to stimulate conversation about the impacts of climate change, came as the company became the first of its kind to have its net-zero 2040 target validated by global organisation Science Based Targets Initiative.
The three metre-tall installation in Takutai Square, made from 2500 litres of rainwater and weighing in at two tonnes, was intended to communicate the scale of the world’s environmental challenges as it inevitably melted throughout the day.
In Antarctica and Greenland, the amount of ice predicted to melt annually roughly equates to around 183 billion of these ice sculptures, according to NASA figures.
Suspended within the ice were ringing mobile phones, symbolising the telecommunications industry’s connection to climate change and 2degrees’ commitment to challenging everyone to “answer the call” on this issue.
General Manager Marketing Dave Pearce said the sculpture was intended to “draw people in” to the conversation around climate change – a topic he said can be “hard to engage with”.
“It’s a hugely important issue to Kiwis, and a key part of 2degrees’ purpose of fighting for fair, but it can often feel a bit big and overwhelming, or complicated and confusing, or sometimes dry and technical,” he said. “We wanted to find a different way for people to engage with the subject.”
Chief Executive Mark Callender added the company wanted “something bold” that would “stop people in their tracks”.
“We recognise our industry’s impact, which is why we’re taking responsibility to act ” he said. “It’s a physical representation of climate change and our commitment to answer the call.”
*Net Zero
Alongside the sculpture, 2degrees also announced last week that it had become the first telecommunications company in New Zealand to have its net-zero by 2040 target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
The target includes a commitment to a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2degrees’ 2022 baseline, and investment in initiatives to balance out the remaining 10%.
Being validated by the SBTi, a global organisation established to develop common standard used to validate the decarbonisation and emission reductions near term and Net Zero targets of businesses, requires an external assurance and certification process to be followed.
The validation process included robust baseline and data capture exercise, external audits of the company’s emissions calculations, cross-functional collaboration and developing reduction strategies across the business, and engagement with our supply chain partners.
Callander said sustainability was not just a checkbox but a “core part” of the company.
“Being the first telecommunications company in New Zealand to secure SBTi validation of our net-zero 2040 target shows that we’re serious about reducing emissions at their source.
“This is about fighting for fair for Kiwis, ensuring future generations inherit a country they can be proud of.”
More information on 2degrees’ sustainability initiatives can be found here.
This content is sponsored by 2degrees.
