United Group announce that it has committed to setting an emission reduction target based on the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a project that aims to encourage corporate climate action for a low-carbon economy.

With a letter of commitment, Dutch-based United Group has joined the global ranks of more than 1,000 other leading companies that have pledged to work with science-based targets to reduce their emissions in line with climate science.

“Signing up to the Science Based Targets initiative demonstrates United Group’s continued dedication to being a responsible company. This is a natural step on our journey to play a more active role in creating a more sustainable world,” said United Group Chief Executive Victoriya Boklag.

“Joining the initiative is an opportunity for us to provide an example to all our stakeholders and do what we do best – innovate, collaborate, and drive efficiencies to effect change everywhere United Group operates,” Boklag added.

United Group now has 24 months to develop a target, submit it for validation to SBTi, and publish the approved target.

SBTi is a global initiative that supports companies in establishing greenhouse gas reduction targets based on the latest climate science and the goals of the Paris Agreement. Science-based targets show companies how much and how quickly they need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to prevent the worst effects of climate change.

The initiative is a global collaboration between CDP, the World Resources Institute, World Wide Fund for Nature and the United Nations Global Compact.

Operating in the telecommunications and media sectors, United Group combines the leading operators and best content producers in Southeast Europe. It is active in eight countries in the region and also has operations in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Luxembourg.

United Group has approximately 11 million users and employs more than 12,500 people.