Sprint received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2015 Climate Leadership Award for Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management — Goal Achievement. Award recipients were chosen for innovative actions to combat climate change leading to smart business decisions. Sixteen organizations and one individual representing a wide array of industries from finance and manufacturing to retail and technology were honored for their climate change and environmental work.
“Our winners are demonstrating that a healthy environment and a strong economy go hand in hand,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “These organizations are providing the leadership, commitment, and solutions needed to cut greenhouse gas emissions and meet head on the challenge of a changing climate.”
Sprint Corporation offers wireless and wireline communications services for nearly 56 million customers. Headquartered in Overland Park, KS, approximately 80 percent of Sprint’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from the operation of its networks. Other sources include office buildings, data centers and retail stores.
Sprint was chosen for setting and exceeding its absolute GHG reduction goal of 20 percent from 2007 to 2017, achieving absolute reduction in GHG emissions of 29 percent in 2013. Sprint’s initial GHG reduction goal was 12 percent in 2008 under the EPA’s former Climate Leaders program, which the company subsequently increased to 15 percent in 2010 before setting its current goal—all with 2007 as the baseline.
The corporation achieved its GHG emission reductions by redesigning its networks to reduce electricity consumption. Its IT department has decreased its electricity use by 28 percent while increasing the number of new data centers. Sprint also implemented Building Automation Systems (BAS) to monitor heating and cooling activities which resulted in lowered electricity costs, reduced HVAC and lighting maintenance costs, and increased worker productivity (comfortable work environment).
