Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Promoting a Digital Society
• Building Trust with Our Customers
• Managing Our Environmental Impacts
• Being a Responsible Business

Environmental Achievements

• Improved energy efficiency by 34% compared to 2013
• Improved carbon efficiency by 31% compared to 2013
• Refurbished more than 4.4 million set-top boxes and modems, avoiding approximately 7,200 metric tons of waste

Social Achievements

• Launched Telenet Idealabs community to support digital start-ups
• Supported CoderDojo, helping scale more than 60 new clubs reaching over 2,000 young people
• Developed Zoom, a global employee engagement survey with participation from almost 27,000 employees
• Launched Lead Forward, a leadership development program for over 300 senior leaders

Governance Achievements

• Maintained inclusion in FTSE4Good and Dow Jones Sustainability Indices
• Commissioned KPMG to perform assurance on Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions data

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Supply chain disruptions (not expanding supplier assessment program as planned)
• Inspiring customers to adapt energy-saving functionalities on products

Mitigation Strategies

• Focusing on corrective action plans with high-risk suppliers identified in 2013 assessment
• Better understanding customer behaviors to improve communication around sustainability attributes of products

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 78 suppliers assessed in 2014 using EcoVadis platform

Responsible Procurement

• Responsible Procurement and Supply Chain Principles (RPSCP)

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI G4 Sustainability Reporting Framework, core option

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: KPMG LLP (limited assurance on GHG emissions data)

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• More energy-efficient set-top boxes and modems
• Horizon TV Mediabox software upgrade reducing energy consumption

Awards & Recognition

• RobecoSAM Industry Mover

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Energy Efficiency
• Carbon Emissions
• Electronic Waste Reduction
• Digital Inclusion and Education
• Customer Privacy and Data Security
• Protecting Children Online
• Employee Engagement
• Supplier Sustainability

Environmental Achievements

• Improved energy efficiency by 29% in 2015 and 66% compared to 2012.
• Reduced market-based carbon emissions by 10% and location-based emissions by 1%.
• 26% of purchased electricity came from renewable sources.
• Refurbished 4.7 million set-top boxes and modems, avoiding approximately 7,500 metric tons of waste.
• Reduced the environmental impact of new Horizon packaging by over 30%.

Social Achievements

• Launched a global employee survey (Zoom) with 85% participation and 62% of respondents considering themselves engaged.
• Invested approximately $20 million in employee training and development, with almost 900,000 training hours recorded.
• Matched $97,000 in employee fundraising for various charities.
• Invested over $1.1 million in protecting minors through various programs.

Governance Achievements

• Implemented a new advanced security platform to reduce device contamination.
• Audited privacy incident management process in Europe.
• Linked employee remuneration to customer satisfaction targets (starting 2016).

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Increasing energy costs
• Growing volume of unsuitable online content for young people
• Malware threats
• Maintaining customer data security
• Skills gap in the digital economy

Mitigation Strategies

• Optimizing network technologies, investing in new technologies in facilities, and procuring renewable energy.
• Producing toolkits on internet safety, partnering with Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit and Synopsys for malware protection.
• Implementing a new global abuse management platform.
• Doubling the size of the Group Privacy team.
• Partnering with CoderDojo and other organizations to develop digital skills.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 147 suppliers assessed via EcoVadis platform in 2015.

Responsible Procurement

• EcoVadis assessment platform
• Responsible Procurement and Supply Chain Principles

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI G4 Sustainability Reporting Framework, core option

Third-party Assurance: KPMG LLP (limited assurance on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions data)

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Eco-friendly packaging
• PCM technology for data centers

Awards & Recognition

• RobecoSAM Silver Class award from DJSI

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Data and Privacy
• Business Ethics
• Environmental Sustainability
• Responsible Procurement & Supply Chain
• Digital Inclusion
• Responsible Connectivity

Environmental Achievements

• Improved operations to meet 2030 and 2050 science-based targets, becoming 40 times more carbon efficient compared to 2012.
• Avoided more than 11,000 metric tons of carbon emissions and 2,500 metric tons of waste through various initiatives.
• Overall energy efficiency improved by 7% (per terabyte of data traffic generated). Electricity consumption dropped 3% compared to the previous year, and total location-based emissions (scope 1, 2 & 3) decreased by 5%.
• Refurbished over 1.5 million set-top boxes and modem units, avoiding 2500 metric tons of waste.

Social Achievements

• Virgin Media’s partnership with Scope helped over 540,000 disabled people find and stay in work opportunities.
• Strengthened Responsible Procurement & Supply Chain principles, actively monitoring supplier practices.
• Founding partner of Women in Cable and Telecommunications European Chapter.
• Liberty Global colleagues raised over €1 million for Street Child charity.
• Launched Digital Imagination Challenges in Ireland, the Netherlands, and Poland.
• Telenet opened free internet access for students in Belgium; VodafoneZiggo launched a free telephone help desk for the elderly in The Netherlands; Virgin Media offered 2.7 million UK customers unlimited minutes; and UPC Poland offered free children’s programming.

Governance Achievements

• Continued to strengthen our Responsible Procurement & Supply Chain principles, actively monitoring the employment practices, slave labor, collective bargaining and privacy policies of our suppliers.
• Launched updated privacy training, mandatory annually for all employees.
• GDPR efforts reviewed across the entire footprint by an external consulting firm.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Climate change and its impact on operations.
• Data security threats.
• Ensuring digital inclusion and accessibility.
• Overheating of street cabinets due to high temperatures.

Mitigation Strategies

• Science-based targets to reduce emissions.
• Investment in security measures and employee training.
• Digital Imagination program to promote digital inclusion.
• Deployment of free air cooling and Phase Change Material (PCM) technology to cool technical sites and street cabinets.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 34 suppliers assessed, 382 corrective actions issued in 2019.

Responsible Procurement

• Responsible Procurement and Supply Chain Principles outline expectations for labor practices, forced labor, collective bargaining, and privacy and security.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Heat impacting network components

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Development of energy-efficient products and technologies

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core option

Certifications: ISO 27001

Third-party Assurance: KPMG LLP (limited assurance for energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions data)

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Remote-PHY technology for faster, more scalable, and energy-efficient networks
• PCM-Cool Bricks for street cabinet cooling

Awards & Recognition

• Bronze Class distinction in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Customer Health & Safety
• Energy Efficiency
• Electronic Waste Reduction
• Media Responsibility
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Social Product Responsibility
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Labour Practices & Human Rights
• Business Ethics
• Environmental Product Sustainability
• Supply Chain Risk Management
• Privacy & Data Security
• Talent Attraction & Development
• Digital Inclusion
• Responsible Connectivity

Environmental Achievements

• Improved overall energy efficiency by 44% in 2020
• Saved 10 GWh of energy and almost 6 million Euros by replacing old power supply systems
• Saved 1 GWh of energy and over 300k Euros by raising temperature set points
• Introduced Mini TV 4K box, reducing energy consumption by 77% and utilizing 35% recycled plastics
• Achieved an A-rating by CDP Global

Social Achievements

• Established a $4 million Employee Response program to support employees affected by the pandemic
• Virgin Media supported 1,204,427 disabled people to gain employment skills
• Participation in the Coolest Projects technology fair grew 50%
• Increased participation in the SteamCup Challenge with 400+ young coders

Governance Achievements

• Appointed a Chief DE&I Officer
• Established a DE&I Council of 17 senior leaders
• Implemented mandatory annual training on privacy and security for all employees

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Increased broadband traffic by 75% due to the pandemic
• Exacerbated issues of injustice around the world due to the pandemic
• Digital inequities exposed by the pandemic
• Growing demand for stronger data security practices

Mitigation Strategies

• Ensured broadband networks met increased demand
• Offered affordable 'Essential Broadband' programs
• Developed DE&I strategy with five diversity priorities
• Implemented measures to protect customer data and enhance network security
• Provided support for hospitals and critical services

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core option

Third-party Assurance: KPMG LLP (limited assurance for energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions data)

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Mini TV 4K box

Awards & Recognition

• A-rating by CDP Global
• 67 point score awarded by the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environment
• Digital Inclusion
• Community Engagement
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Product Responsibility

Environmental Achievements

• Avoided 6,636 metric tonnes of carbon emissions through environmental initiatives.
• Refurbished 2,485,440 set-top boxes and modems, avoiding 4,062 tonnes of e-waste.
• Developed a 100% recycled plastic connectivity box.
• Reduced single-use plastic from end-user packaging.

Social Achievements

• Reached 464,000 young people & teachers with digital safety toolkits.
• 84% employee engagement in survey.
• Raised $1.2M through partnership with Street Child.
• Employees donated 24,619 hours of volunteer time.
• Increased female participation in Coolest Projects (44%) and Young Social Innovators (69%).
• Launched Connected Communities program.

Governance Achievements

• Became a founding partner of the European Green Digital Coalition.
• Committed to Net-Zero by 2030 for Scopes 1 and 2.
• Joined the Valuable500 business collective for disability inclusion.
• Implemented a global anti-bullying, harassment and discrimination policy.
• Launched an augmented AI writing tool for inclusive job descriptions.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Growing economic uncertainty
• War in Ukraine
• Climate change
• Digital divide

Mitigation Strategies

• Deploying talent and capital to advance sustainable impact and build a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.
• Investing in affordable ‘Essential Broadband’ and partnering with organizations to offer device support.
• Developing digital skills programs.
• Working with suppliers to align sustainability commitments.
• Implementing innovations in operations to improve energy efficiency.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Working with suppliers to align key sustainability commitments

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards: Core option

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: KPMG LLP (limited assurance on energy consumption, GHG emissions, and community investment)

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• 100% recycled plastic Connect box

Awards & Recognition

• 2021 Red Dot Award for Product Design
• Business of the Year and Telecoms & Technology Category of the Business Charity Award

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change
• Energy Efficiency

Environmental Achievements

• 1 GWh of energy saved from raising temperature set points in Switzerland in 2020
• €625,000 in cost savings in Belgium since the installation of free air cooling in 2013
• 46 GWh energy saved in technical sites in Ireland since the installation of free air cooling systems in 2014
• €6 million in cost savings in Ireland since the installation of free air cooling in 2014
• 4.7 GWh of yearly energy savings from using phase-change material (PCM) in technical buildings in the Netherlands and Ireland

Social Achievements

• Not disclosed

Governance Achievements

• Commitment to Net Zero targets by 2030 (Scopes 1 and 2), with plans to include Scope 3
• Adoption of Science Based Targets

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Lack of data on the environmental impact of connectivity initiatives
• Potential rebound effect from increased data traffic leading to higher energy consumption
• Difficulty in measuring Scope 3 emissions due to lack of data
• Rapid pace of technological evolution making data collection less useful in the long term

Mitigation Strategies

• Collaboration with European Green Digital Coalition to develop methodologies for measuring the impact of digital technologies on GHG emissions
• Investing in renewable energy solutions
• Improving energy efficiency of networks through technological innovations (e.g., 5G)
• Assisting suppliers in their decarbonisation programmes

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Working with suppliers to validate green practices throughout the value chain

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Innovations and efficiencies enabled by gigabit connectivity

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Science Based Targets Initiative

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Mercury V2+ modem with 100% recycled plastic case and packaging

Awards & Recognition

• Not disclosed

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Diversity and Inclusion
• Climate Change (GHG emissions reduction)
• Sustainable Supply Chain
• Transparency and Governance
• Community Investment

Environmental Achievements

• Working across footprint to reduce Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions with long-term ambitions in line with science-based targets.
• Purchasing electricity from renewable sources.
• Transitioning fleet to electric vehicles.
• Improving network efficiency to meet growing connectivity demands without increasing energy consumption.
• Tackling e-waste by reducing raw materials in products, limiting packaging, and designing products for longer lifespans and circularity.

Social Achievements

• Championing diversity and representation to elevate equitable and inclusive opportunities.
• Enhancing inclusive connectivity and digital skills through educational and social programs and volunteering.
• Launched “Youth Council” to advise executive leadership team.
• Implemented inclusive hiring manager training, diverse interview panels, and AI to eliminate gender-biased language in job descriptions.
• Launched a series of well-being resources focused on mental, physical, social, and financial aspects of health and well-being.

Governance Achievements

• Commitment to transparency throughout business and value chain, supported by governance structures and human rights, ethics, and labor management processes and practices.
• Focus on working with partners to ensure high standards in supply chain and taking an active role in cross-industry collaborations.
• Founding member of the European Green Digital Coalition.
• Became a member of the United Nations Global Compact and joined the Joint Alliance for CSR in 2023.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Competition in rapidly evolving broadband marketplace from both incumbent and non-incumbent telecommunications companies, mobile operators, and other internet service providers.
• Changes in technology impacting consumer behavior and demand for products and services.
• Significant property and equipment additions requiring significant capital expenditures.
• Dependence on third-party programming providers and broadcasters for programming content.
• Dependence on third-party suppliers and licensors for equipment, software, and services.
• Spectrum cost and availability and regulation.
• Reliance on third-party wireless network providers for mobile communications traffic.
• Vulnerability to technology or telecommunications system failures, data leakage, and security breaches.
• Substantial leverage limiting ability to obtain additional financing.
• Exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk.
• Risks of adverse regulation.
• Impact of Brexit.
• Difficulties in completing acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and partnerships.
• Potential tax liabilities.
• Risks associated with the “Virgin” brand.
• Exposure to interest rate risks.
• Increasing operating costs and inflation risks.
• Uncertainties and challenging conditions in the global economy.
• Exposure to sovereign debt and currency instability risks.
• Potential regulatory limitations on ownership and transfer of shares if delisted from Nasdaq.
• Risks arising from widespread epidemic diseases.
• Geopolitical conflicts, energy shortages, and other adverse incidents.

Mitigation Strategies

• Developing and marketing bundled entertainment and information and communications services.
• Extending and upgrading the quality of networks.
• Maximizing average revenue from each household.
• Actively managing the denominations of cash balances.
• Using derivative instruments to synthetically convert unmatched debt.
• Entering into foreign currency forward and option contracts to hedge risks.
• Implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity program.
• Establishing policies, procedures, and processes for managing market risks.
• Using derivative instruments to manage interest rate risks.
• Regularly reviewing credit exposures.
• Investing in content that customers want.
• Seeking to maintain debt at levels that provide for attractive equity returns without undue risk.
• Actively seeking to make additional investment in spectrum.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Actively monitoring the creditworthiness of key third-party suppliers and licensors.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: UN Global Compact, Joint Alliance for CSR

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• All-IP mini 4K capable set-top box made from recycled plastic.

Awards & Recognition

• Digital TV Europe’s Video Tech Innovation Sustainability Award (2020)
• Red Dot Product Design Award (2021)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate change
• Biodiversity
• Circular economy
• Supply chain sustainability
• Social progress

Environmental Achievements

• Committed to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50% by 2030, and by 80% by 2050 (versus 2019)
• Committed to reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions from the manufacture and use of customer premises equipment by 50% by 2030
• Committed to reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions by 50% per home passed from a 2019 base year
• Latest CPE products are made entirely of post-consumer recycled plastic and designed to be recycled
• Removed almost all single-use plastics from bulk packaging transportation of products

Social Achievements

• Reinforced ESG governance with leadership and board involvement, including a People Planet Progress Council and a DE&I Council
• Established a Board-led People Planet Progress Committee providing expertise and guidance on ESG activities
• Invest in building knowledge and expertise on environmental topics among our workforce through SustainEd
• Attached certain targets of the People Planet Progress agenda to remuneration incentives since 2022

Governance Achievements

• Board-led People Planet Progress Committee oversees ESG activities
• Audit Committee oversees ESG reporting
• Compliance with local and international environmental laws and regulations
• Independent assurance of environmental data

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Minimizing environmental impact across operations, infrastructure, and products
• Reducing the use of plastics and single-use plastics
• Addressing biodiversity, deforestation, and land use
• Minimizing water use and safeguarding water quality
• Managing climate-related risks and opportunities

Mitigation Strategies

• Target setting, measurement, and evaluation of environmental impact
• Establishment of improvement measures to reduce environmental footprint
• Designing products to minimize plastic use, increase lifetime, and use recycled materials
• Optimizing models for refurbishment and redeployment of products
• Ensuring proper disposal of obsolete equipment in accordance with WEEE Directive
• Working with suppliers to improve environmental performance
• Implementing a Responsible Supplier Code of Conduct and monitoring compliance
• Using the EcoVadis platform for supplier assessments
• Engaging in industry collaboration through JAC for sustainable sourcing
• Implementing climate adaptation strategy based on TCFD assessment
• Developing mitigation measures to address climate-related risks

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Responsible Supplier Code of Conduct
• Supplier Assessment Procedure
• EcoVadis platform
• JAC membership

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GHG Protocol, GRI

Third-party Assurance: Independent assurance

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• CPE products made of post-consumer recycled plastic