Bharti Airtel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 11 per cent in 2011-12

NEW DELHI: India's largest mobile phone company Bharti Airtel said on Thursday that it had reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per terabyte in network infrastructure by 11% in financial 2011-12. It also saved 20 million KWh of energy by consolidating its facilities and improving energy efficiency of its data centre.

As part of its initiatives to ensure sustainability and increase social inclusion, the mobile phone company plans to bring digitisation to millions through far reaching and efficient network coverage and deeper internet penetration.

Bharti Airtel also plans to enhance financial, education and health services through mobile phones that are essential for a large number of consumers.

"Over 50% of these rural subscribers do not have bank accounts. We believe that the mobile industry, which covers a significant mass of India's population, can utilise its existing national coverage and infrastructure, and collaborate with banks to play a significant role in enabling financial inclusion as well as payment services across India," the telco said in its Sustainability report of 2011-12.

While Airtel Money facilitates cashless transactions in rural areas, mobile health services promote health awareness and enable real time treatment and remote disease monitoring.