Greenpeace representative had a meeting with Bharti Airtel’s representative on the above demand after the demonstration today. Though the telecom giant has agreed to meet and discuss the issue, they are still non-committal on the demand (3).
“Bharti Airtel has a real opportunity to set an example for telecom operators in India by extending their spirit of leadership and showing that businesses can flourish being powered by renewable energy sources,” said Mrinmoy Chattaraj, Campaigner, Climate and Energy, Greenpeace India.”The company’s failure to respond specifically to key issues on their carbon and energy management has left us with no choice but be here and ask them to act on their professed commitments” he added.
Earlier, on May 18th, 2011, Greenpeace released its report “Dirty Talking- Case for telecom to shift to renewable,” which exposed how the subsidy on diesel has been aggressively exploited by the telecom sector, resulting in an annual loss of around Rs 2600 crore to the state exchequer. However, the report also shows how the sector can become a transformative force by adopting renewable energy for their business operations and advocating for economy wide climate and energy solutions(3).
In conclusion, Chattaraj added “This is also a tremendous opportunity for Bharti Airtel to act on its professed commitments and differentiate itself from other corporations and the lip service that is routinely paid to the issues of sustainability and sustainable growth.”
Greenpeace has been demanding Airtel to-
- Publicly disclosing the carbon emissions of its entire business operation and establish progressive emission reduction targets
- Commit to shift the sourcing of 50% of its energy requirements towards renewable energy sources and phase out diesel use in its business operations by 2015
- Catalyse a low-carbon economy wide growth, by using its brand power to advocate for strong policies that promote renewable energy
For photographs: http://photo.greenpeace.org/GPI/C.aspx?VP3=ViewBox&STID=27MZIFIIVN1O&IT=ThumbImage01_VForm&CT=Story
For further information: http://www.greenpeace.org/india/Global/india/docs/cool-it/reports/telecom-report-may-2011.pdf
Contact-
Mrinmoy Chattaraj, Campaigner, Greenpeace India, +91 99022 01201, 
Abhishek Pratap, Senior Campaigner, Greenpeace India, +91 98456 10749, 
Shashwat Raj, Media Officer, Greenpeace India, +91 968686 1974, 
Note to Editor:
1. Greenpeace India continues to engage with Bharti Airtel and has written four letters to the Chairman and Managing Director Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal (April 20th, May 12th, May 23rd and May 31st, 2011). While the company has responded to Greenpeace India’s communications on April 29th and May 28th, 2011, the company is yet to clearly and substantively respond to the specific questions raised by Greenpeace India repeatedly in all its communications, relating to the company’s energy policy, carbon emission disclosure and the use of clean renewable energy.
2. Refer to http://www.greenpeace.org/india
3. Bharti Airtel has agreed to meet Greenpeace on Friday June 10th, 2011 to discuss Greenpeace’s demand for carbon emission disclosure and clean energy use. The meeting is expected to have outcomes in terms of commitment from Bharti Airtel on timelines for carbon emission disclosure and clean energy use.
4. Refer to http://www.greenpeace.org/india/Global/india/docs/cool-it/reports/telecom-report-may-2011-web-optimized.pdf