Liberty Global Publishes 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report

Achievements in 2020 Include Improving Energy Efficiency by 44% and Refurbishing More Than 2 Million Set-Top Boxes and Modems

Liberty Global, one of the world’s leading converged broadband, video and communications companies, publishes its Corporate Responsibility report for 2020. The annual report provides an overview and assessment of the economic, social and environmental impact of Liberty Global, which today delivers next-generation products through advanced fiber and 5G networks that connect 85 million subscribers across Europe.

Built on the twin pillars of ‘Digital Progress’ and ‘Responsible Connectivity’, Liberty Global’s ‘Connected Purpose’ strategy aims to maximize the company’s potential for utilising digital technology to drive positive change. Within this, the ‘Digital Purpose’ program encourages people to harness the power of technology to solve societal challenges, while Liberty Global’s ‘Responsible Connectivity’ approach ensures the business operates in an ethical, inclusive and sustainable manner.

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The report outlines some of the company’s most important corporate responsibility achievements and milestones over the 12 months. These include:

• Improving overall energy efficiency by 44%
• Refurbishing 2.1 million set-top boxes and modems, avoiding nearly 3500 metric tons of waste that would otherwise have been sent for recycling
• VodafoneZiggo, Liberty Global’s Joint Venture in the Netherlands, launching its first Green Bond – the first ever high yield Green Bond to be issued by a company outside the renewable energy space

External recognition of Liberty Global’s sustainability strategy led it in 2020 to be named one of the world’s most sustainable companies through its inclusion in the influential Dow Jones Sustainability World index for the eighth consecutive year. The company was also awarded leadership status by CDP Global (formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project) in its annual survey into climate change and carbon emissions.

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Mike Fries, CEO, Liberty Global comments: “2020 was unlike any other year in our lifetimes and I am incredibly proud of what we achieved when people needed us most. Anchored by our purpose – Tomorrow’s Connections Today – our superior broadband, video and mobile networks served as essential lifelines and more than stood up to the challenge of massive shifts in demand. We accelerated our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to promote a culture where everyone feels they belong. And we continued to make strides in sustainability, reducing both waste and carbon emissions and launching our greenest-ever set-top box. We are committed to ramping up our broader contribution to sustainability, inclusion and digital progress in the coming months and years.”

The report also captures the diverse ways in which Liberty Global’s operating companies have supported communities and customers through the pandemic. Virgin Media in the UK provided unlimited minutes and a 10GB data boost to mobile customers, while Virgin Media Ireland serviced communities with free WiFi spots. UPC Switzerland upgraded customers to a 100 Mbps service for no extra charge, as did UPC Slovakia to a 150 Mbps service. Additionally, Telenet in Belgium doubled data for its mobile customers and UPC Poland supported schools by providing teachers with free internet access.