BT is ringing in the CO2 savings after helping the suppliers in its supply chain cut more than 30,000 tonnes of carbon in the first year of a new green initiative.

The emissions reduction has come since the start of its Better Future Supplier Forum, which the telecoms giant says is the equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of 2,000 people.

A significant amount of water was saved too, with 102,000 m3 less water used at sites involved in producing BT products, while it has reduced the solid waste it produces by 15%.

Alongside these the firm says more than 7,000 tonnes of CO2 have been slashed from across the manufacturing process and it has cut the carbon footprint of its products by 23,000 tonnes.

The firm also singled out two of its suppliers of electronic devices for praise: it gave Huawei and SGW Global, who took part in the first year pilot, achievement awards for their “strong performance” in making BT products and services more sustainable.

Niall Dunne, Chief Sustainability Officer for BT said: “The Better Future Supplier Forum demonstrates how collaboration across the supply chain can have a positive impact on our shared environment. By encouraging scrutiny of not only our own operations but those of our partners and suppliers, we’re able to offer more sustainable products and services that help to ensure we make a net positive contribution – for the benefit of everyone.”