T-Mobile Leads Green America “Wireless Scorecard” As Sprint Nearly Flunks

May 8th, 2019 by Joshua S Hill

Ethical consumerism non-profit Green America published its Wireless Scorecard at the end of April, with T-Mobile again earning the top ranking while Sprint fell to last place, nearly flunking.

Green America published its Clean Energy is Calling report on April 30, with its headline announcement showing Sprint had fallen to last place on its Wireless Scorecard For Use of Clean Energy after failing to meets its goal of 10% clean energy by 2017 (or failing to provide updated date in support of this goal). The company was awarded a “D” for ‘Clean Energy Commitment’ and an “F” for ‘Progress’ overall.

Alternately, T-Mobile again remained atop the Scorecard, receiving an “A” for ‘Clean Energy Commitment’ and “B” for ‘Progress’ — highlighting the company’s regular commitments “to change wireless for good.” T-Mobile has also had its carbon reduction goals approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which will see the company reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions by 95% and reduce scope 3 emissions per customer by 15% below 2016 levels by 2025.

“T-Mobile is ALL IN to do our part to protect the environment on behalf of the communities we serve,” said Janice Kapner, EVP of Communications and Community Engagement at T-Mobile. “As we keep driving forward, we’re also going to continue doing what T-Mobile does best – pushing the wireless industry to keep up! We won’t stop!”

T-Mobile is also currently contracted for enough green energy to meet nearly 60% of its 100% renewable energy commitment, including Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) signed with the Red Dirt Wind Project in Oklahoma and the Solomon Forks Wind Project in Kansas. The two agreements will provide over 320 megawatts (MW) of wind energy by the end of this year.

“At a time when we are increasingly seeing the negative impacts of climate change, and when the federal government is failing to act, we need companies to step up their commitments to clean energy,” said Todd Larsen, executive co-director of Green America. “Consumers have made clear to the telecom sector that they expect their cell phone carriers to make 100% commitments to clean energy, and with the progress documented in this report, we can see that companies are starting to listen.”

AT&T climbed to second place in the second edition of the Wireless Scorecard thanks in part to its position as the biggest non-utility purchaser of wind power in the United States in 2018, boasting contracts to source 820 MW of energy from wind. However, the company currently has no announced clean energy target, undermining its efforts somewhat.

Verizon, which only last year had received flunking grades across the board has risen to third place thanks to its commitment to secure 100% clean energy by 2025 and a $1 billion green bond to help finance clean energy adoption, but also undermines its efforts by failing to sign new contracts to meet its goals.

“Green America is excited with the progress we are seeing, but the ultimate goal is to reach 100% clean energy across these major telecom companies,” said Beth Porter, climate campaigns director at Green America. “The impacts of climate change are already being felt by communities worldwide. We need all sectors to rapidly cut emissions and shift to clean energy sources to address the climate crisis.”











Appreciate CleanTechnica’s originality? Consider becoming a CleanTechnica member, supporter, or ambassador — or a patron on Patreon.

Sign up for our free daily newsletter or weekly newsletter to never miss a story.

Have a tip for CleanTechnica, want to advertise, or want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.

Latest Cleantech Talk Episode