MONTRÉAL, Oct. 15, 2021 /CNW
Telbec/ - To mark Climate Action Day, organized by the Science
Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and in the lead-up to the
United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in early November, Cogeco is proud to
reiterate its commitment to this issue by announcing its goal of
achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Cogeco is the first
telecommunications company in Canada to have its targets approved by
the SBTi. These targets, which include a 65% reduction in emissions
from its operations by 2030 (compared to 2019 levels), illustrate
Cogeco's leadership and its commitment to the environment.
These actions complement the decisions Cogeco has made in recent
years in the fight against climate change. They include the
voluntary disclosure of our climate impact and greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions through the global disclosure system run by the
internationally recognized organization CDP, as well as the
implementation of our corporate social responsibility (CSR)
program, which encompasses a number of initiatives aimed at
optimally managing our environmental footprint. Actions undertaken
include ''greening'' our vehicle fleet, increasing our use of
renewable energy, and optimizing our energy consumption. The
company also supports global climate actions to protect and
preserve forests. To this end, Cogeco recently held its first
1Cogeco Community Involvement Day, during which tree-planting
events were organized in more than 46 communities in Canada and the United States.
"Our telecommunications industry plays a key role in achieving a
net-zero economy because the digital sector is an important
contributor to a low-carbon world," said Philippe Jetté, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Cogeco. He added: "On this Climate
Action Day and in the run-up to COP26, we call on all players in our industry to
show strong and inspiring leadership and to take concrete action
for the climate. Together, with a sustained collective effort, we
can build a prosperous and sustainable economy." He concluded: "At
Cogeco, we will continue to act with this goal in mind, always
taking into account what is best for the communities in which we
serve and live, our customers, our employees and our planet."
Cogeco's commitment to environmental, social and corporate
governance
In recent months, Cogeco's commitment to
environmental, social and corporate governance has been recognized
and endorsed by a number of leading organizations. As part of its
global climate ambitions, Cogeco has joined corporate leaders
representing more than $3.6 trillion
in market capitalization in signing the "Business Ambition for
1.5°C" commitment. Cogeco received a 2020 Climate Change score of
A- from CDP, placing it among the leaders for implementing current
best practices in measuring, understanding and addressing corporate
climate impacts. The company supports more than 700 grassroots
organizations in Canada and
the United States each year and is
listed in numerous rankings, including "Canada's Best 50 Corporate Citizens" and the
"Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations," both by Corporate
Knights. The company's leadership in community investment has also
earned it Imagine Canada's "Caring Company"
certification.
To learn more about the importance Cogeco places on CSR and
social engagement, visit our website.
ABOUT COGECO INC.
Cogeco Inc. is a holding corporation
which operates in the communications and media sectors. Its Cogeco
Communications Inc. subsidiary provides residential and business
customers with Internet, video and telephony services through its
two-way broadband fibre networks, operating in Québec and
Ontario, Canada, under the Cogeco
Connexion name, and in the United
States under the Atlantic Broadband brand in 12 states. Its
Cogeco Media subsidiary owns and operates 23 radio stations with
complementary radio formats and extensive coverage serving a wide
range of audiences mainly across the province of Québec, as well as
Cogeco News, a news agency. Cogeco's subordinate voting shares are
listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CGO). The subordinate
voting shares of Cogeco Communications Inc. are also listed on the
Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CCA).
SOURCE Cogeco Inc.