Can you talk about you or your company’s efforts relating to renewability, sustainability or other environmentally- friendly activities?

Sustainability has been a cornerstone of our DNA since our establishment in 2012. We are committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and our in-house Innovation and Sustainability team has spearheaded many additional initiatives for us as we work towards this goal. These include designing green telco structures that use 30% less steel and result in a 25% reduction in carbon emissions per site; deploying affordable, renewable, and clean energy solutions across our sites; and promoting responsible consumption and production with our site waste management and recycling systems.

As a result, to date, we have halved our carbon footprint by as much as 57% on average per tower site. As part of our sustainability journey, we will continue to undertake independent expert reviews and pursue ISO certification. This is to keep our progress on track and ensure that our sustainability initiatives both meet international standards and set a concrete model for other private sector organisations to follow.

Why are in-house lawyers well-placed to drive change in their organisations?

In-house lawyers are well-placed to drive change in organisations as we have a deep understanding of the company’s operations and culture. As legal experts, in-house lawyers are well-equipped to identify legal risks, seek opportunities that can drive change, and provide legal guidance on matters that affect the business’s bottom line. In-house lawyers typically have access to senior leadership, which allows them to influence decision-making at the highest levels of an organisation and advocate for meaningful change initiatives.

It can be difficult to truly measure a company’s track record and accomplishments in terms of their environmentally-friendly behaviour. What do you think has, until now, been mostly missed when discussing how green a company is?

Many companies have started developing sustainability strategies encompassing everything from environmental impact to social responsibility and economic impact. By looking at a company’s sustainability strategy, we can gain a better understanding of how they are working to reduce their carbon footprint, conserve natural resources, and promote a circular economy. As important as having a comprehensive sustainability strategy is, companies should also be evaluated on their commitment to transparency and accountability. Another factor that is often missed when evaluating a company’s green credentials is its supply chain management practices. Companies that are truly committed to sustainability will have a comprehensive approach to managing their supply chain, including sourcing materials and products from sustainable sources, reducing waste throughout the supply chain, and ensuring fair labour practices.