Press Release– Africa’s leading telecoms operator MTN Group has been placed joint 20th in the Top 100 JSE-listed companies for its Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) 2010 report. The CDP is the only international source of carbon-related business information, and is utilised by institutional investors with over US$64 trillion assets under management.

This is the first time that MTN has compiled a comprehensive and transparent report about its carbon (CO2) footprint. The report details how MTN is addressing environmental concerns by placing energy and CO2 management, as well as environmental risk and opportunity at the core of the business. This will help MTN mitigate and adapt to the impact of climate change on the business.

MTN achieved a score of 71% in the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index of the JSE Top 100 companies. By submitting its report, MTN joined the Global 500 (FTSE Global Equity Series) companies in placing CO2 management at the core of commercial activity.

Says Ms Nozipho January-Bardill, MTN Group Executive: Corporate Affairs: “MTN is delighted by the acknowledgement it has received from the JSE in its maiden attempt to compile its carbon footprint. Many of the countries which MTN operates in are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. MTN has taken the view that greening its operations is not only a socially responsible gesture, but it is also a business imperative that makes commercial sense.”

Over the past years, MTN has integrated sustainability in its core business. This year, MTN unveiled a methane powered tri-generation plant at its head office in Johannesburg – a first in Africa – that supplies clean energy to its head office. The company was shortlisted at the 2010 AfricaCom Awards in the Green Telecoms Awards for this initiative.

In addition to greening its main offices, MTN has invested substantially in de-carbonising its operations by erecting base stations that use clean and alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and hybrid power.

Last year, MTN Group added its voice to the growing chorus calling for environmentally-friendly practises by signing the Copenhagen Communique on Climate Change.