Telecom operator Bharti Airtel has joined hands with IDEMIA Secure Transactions and announced using plastic to recycled PVC for its SIM cards. This is in line with the telco's aim of fostering circular business practices, representing a big step within the Indian telecommunications sector. Through this transition, Airtel aims to mitigate the production of more than 165 tonnes of new plastic annually and curtail CO2 emissions by over 690 tonnes.
Airtel has set up an ambitious target to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By the fiscal year 2030-31, in comparison to the base year of 2020-21, the company aims to decrease its scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50.2 per cent. Moreover, the telco targets a 42 per cent reduction in its scope 3 GHG emissions by the same period. To realise these emission reduction objectives, Airtel is deploying a range of strategies, it has said.
These initiatives include promoting energy efficiency, integrating green energy sources into operations, and transitioning to renewable energy.
"We are thrilled to announce another pioneering milestone as we maintain our leadership in the Indian telecom sector. As a brand, we are dedicated to aligning our actions with sustainable practices and playing a significant role in India’s journey towards achieving net zero emissions. Our partnership with IDEMIA reaffirms our joint dedication to fostering a sustainable future," Pankaj Miglani, Director -- Supply Chain, Bharti Airtel, said in a statement.
Moreover, Airtel emphasised the importance of constructing a resilient network, enhancing resource efficiency, and refining waste management practices, all in accordance with its dedication to sustainability.
"We are proud of our enduring partnership with Airtel. Congratulations to Airtel for spearheading efforts to minimize carbon footprint and offering eco-friendly solutions to their customers in India. I extend my gratitude to all our R&D teams for their contributions to making such innovations a reality," said Rahul Tandon, Senior VP – Connectivity Services, India, IDEMIA Secure Transactions.
This comes months after Airtel CEO Gopal Vittal advocated for the adoption of eSIMs over traditional SIM cards for mobile phones. In a letter to customers, he emphasised the various advantages associated with eSIMs, particularly in terms of security and user convenience.
For those unaware, eSIMs, or embedded SIM cards, differ from physical SIM cards as they are integrated directly into the phone's hardware. They operate through specialised software within the device. While they enhance connectivity, transitioning to a new phone with an eSIM can present some complexities.