environment
energy and resource management
hybrid technology
In 2005, we added 10 hybrid vehicles to our fleet as part of a pilot program. While it is too early to tell what impact the hybrids will have on overall fleet performance, we are monitoring the pilot program closely to determine the extent to which use of hybrid vehicles helps TELUS improve fuel efficiency.
Energy use
Despite the ratification of the Kyoto protocol, and the likelihood of carbon emission reduction in the years ahead, TELUS remains unaffected by the changing regulatory landscape as it pertains to greenhouse gases. However, we support the Kyoto accord, and continue to track our energy consumption and greenhouse emissions, reducing both where feasible.
In 2004, we reported results from all significant facets of our business for the first time. With the merger of our wireless and wireline operations in late 2005, we look forward to improved data tracking and therefore a more complete reporting process. For the present, a small portion of the data continues to rely on assumptions relating to annual cost numbers. However, we now capture more direct measurements of energy use than we have at any time previously.
Most of the services we sell require the use of energy, such as electricity required to send signals to customers’ homes and businesses and gas used to heat our offices. Over the past 10 years, we have taken advantage of many of the energy conservation opportunities available at a reasonable cost. Since future reductions could become more expensive, we have adopted the practice of basing our energy reduction target on the efficient use of energy. We do this by measuring consumption against economic results, an approach known as eco-efficiency, which allows for continued business growth. We report consumption, but also compare usage to revenue. Our target is to reduce energy consumption per unit of revenue generated by 10 per cent by 2007 (below 2001 levels). For the first time in 2005, our eco-efficiency has reached the target set, due in part to strong revenue growth, but also to reductions in energy consumption, attributable to a decreasing energy footprint in our offices and reduced operational capacity during the labour disruption.
