Only just into its second year of operations, Uninor receives international attention for its environment and climate initiatives. This week, the company won the prestigious Green Globe Award at the TERI organized Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2011.

Best Contribution from the private sector

Uninor was awarded the prestigious Green Globe Foundation Award 2011 for Best Contribution by a Corporate/Business Enterprise – Private Sector. The category honours initiatives by private companies which have had a direct positive impact on the environment and/or conservation of natural resources.

Green Initiative Opex Model

Uninor’s entry was an assessment report of one of its pilot projects, the Green Initiative Opex Model. The model includes green initiatives like implementation of free cooling units, fuel catalysts and solar power equipment at Uninor tower sites. Due to unreliable power supply to many telecom towers in India, a majority of towers are today heavily dependent on diesel generators for uninterrupted service. Uninor’s pilot project showed not only a reduction in carbon footprint, but also savings of up to 30% on the operating cost.

Uninor plans to implement 8 000 free cooling units, 10 000 fuel catalysts and 200 solar powered base transceiver stations (BTS) across India.

“Uninor is committed to responsible and sustainable business practices. Environment and climate will be important considerations in our business decisions. Under the new Climate Strategy for 2011, we hope to launch many new initiatives that will reaffirm our intent. This is just the beginning,” said Rajiv Bawa, EVP, Corporate Affairs, Uninor; while receiving the award.

Part of a comprehensive Environment and Climate Strategy

Uninor has developed an Environment and Climate Strategy, building on the ambitions of the Telenor Group. The objective is to make sure that sustainability is an inherent part of how the company does business.

The strategy has three focus areas that are central in achieving Uninor’s long term ambitions as a sustainable business: operational efficiency, responsible business practice and accountability.

Good for the environment and good for business

Operational efficiency is more than a CR effort. Reducing fuel consumption, streamlining operations and ensuring that environmental properties are given weight in procurement and sourcing activities has been a key focus for Uninor’s Operations function.

“Our operations already have a significant impact on the environment, and on our operational costs. Being a lean and low-cost operation, we are working closely with our partners to find environmentally and economically sound solutions that reduce our impact to the greatest extent possible. This award is a great encouragement,” says Yogesh Malik, EVP Operations in Uninor.