“Integrating sustainability into business strategies globally is a challenge as expectations rise for cost-effective, credible programs with rigorous reporting. At TELUS, we have a consistent vision with ambitious environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals and science-based climate targets. Now, we’re also turning our focus to technology enabled nature-based climate solutions such as AI/GIS integrated tree planting. Our approach is to partner with nature-focused technology innovators, science and research organizations and Indigenous communities and knowledge keepers to ensure the utmost integrity of the environmental solutions we’re offering to our customers.” – Geoff Pegg, Head of Sustainability at TELUS

Why nature restoration?

According to research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, nature can provide up to 37 percent of the emission reductions needed by 2030 to keep global temperature rise under two degrees celsius. With rising ocean temperatures and forests under threat from wildfires, pests and deforestation, there is an urgent need to restore and care for our ecosystems.

Giving back to the planet can also be good for business: such programs have been proven to help organizations differentiate their ESG programs and operational sustainability. Our consumer research tells us that if an organization has a strong purpose, people are four times more likely to purchase their products and services. According to research led by First Insights, this is especially true for younger consumers: 75 percent of Gen Z state that sustainability is more important to them than brand name when making purchase decisions.

From replanting wildfire-affected areas to restoring coastal kelp forests – the TELUS Environmental Solutions team and our partners offer a range of natural climate solutions designed to make positive social and environmental impacts in Canada and across the globe.

Drone wildfire reforestation with Flash Forest

Flash Forest harnesses the power of drones to accelerate post-wildfire restoration. In severely burned areas, this speeds up the natural process that would typically take years to recover. Leveraging drone technology, we’re able to reach areas deemed unsafe for human tree planters and can plant a range of native tree species so that forests are more resilient in the future.

Blockchain verified restoration with veritree

Kelp forests and mangroves, vital for marine ecosystems, face increasing threats from climate change. The process of seaforestation, utilizing fast-growing kelp, is highly scalable, with 25% of our coastlines suitable for this carbon capturing solution. Proprietary blockchain verification technology enhances transparency and brand trust by ensuring the carbon sequestered by each kelp plant is accurately accounted for and allocated only once.

ESG planting with Shakti by TELUS

Planting trees is one of the leading approaches to addressing the impacts of climate change. Research published in the journal Nature estimates that over 15 billion trees are cut down each year. Shakti by TELUS is an environmentally-focused reforestation company specializing in site preparation, seed collection, tree sourcing and tree planting. We get the right species in the right zone at the right time, supported by custom-built tools and mapping systems.

Unlock the potential of nature investments for your business. Contact us today.

With climate events becoming more frequent and intense, accelerating forest loss worldwide, purchasing environmental solutions through TELUS is not just an investment in nature; it’s an investment in a sustainable, more resilient future. Partner with us to invest in natural climate solutions and become part of a mission to protect and restore our planet for generations to come. Learn more about our efforts in nature restoration at telus.com/restoration. To book a consultation, contact telusenvironment@telus.com.

Let’s make our planet healthier, together.

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TELUS is committed to driving positive social outcomes for youth. Throughout the challenging months of 2020, and looking into the future at 2021, we have several youth-focused initiatives in the areas of health, education and the environment to highlight.

We sharpened our focus on academic partnerships in 2020, beginning with a key sponsorship of the University of British Columbia’s 2020 Sauder Summit case competition. The competition brought sixteen international teams of undergraduate business students to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The global teams, hailing from Denmark, Australia and Thailand just to name a few, tackled a challenging 24-hour live case about 5G, energy usage and TELUS’ ambitious sustainability goals. UBC’s own Sauder team took home first place.

Due to COVID-19, the remainder of our academic partnerships in 2020 understandably became virtual opportunities, powered by TELUS’ Work Styles mobile working program. The TELUS Sustainability & Environment team is proud to announce a partnership with the National Strategy Consulting Competition & Conference (NSCC), North America’s leading strategy consulting competition and conference, for their 2021 virtual event. TELUS and NSCC case writers will collaborate to create a case on fibre optic cable recycling throughout the remainder of 2020, and teams will compete in a virtual case competition in January 2021.

TELUS is also partnering with Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and small businesses in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada this year to initiate a Carbon Accounting Program which will provide fellowships for students from the Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management program at TRU. These TELUS Research Fellows will take part in an innovative new carbon accounting course being developed through TRU, and apply their skills through carbon accounting services for small businesses in Kamloops in 2021. We are pleased to provide support for students developing new skills at the intersection of science and business.

Photo: Winning Team of the 2020 Sauder Summit Case Competition

TELUS recently launched two new awards in support of graduate and undergraduate students within Simon Fraser University’s new School of Sustainable Energy Engineering. “TELUS’s generosity is a true embodiment of the company’s dedication to positive societal and environmental outcomes through social capitalism leadership. These valuable sources of recognition and financial support will inspire our next generation of sustainability leaders.” – Christopher Duffin, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences, SFU.

Throughout 2020 and into 2021, TELUS is also focusing on our new and existing community investment initiatives. As the #MostGivingCompany, TELUS and our team members have donated $1.3 billion since 2000, given 1 million hours to our communities every year, and impacted 2 million youth annually. We give where we live through our national cause campaigns, our local community boards funding grassroots initiatives, team member giving and more. The TELUS Friendly Future Foundation builds brighter futures for youth and those who need it most by enhancing public health initiatives through charitable health and technology programs. Through the TELUS Future Friendly Foundation, we are able to help 2 million at-risk Canadian youth every year, contribute over $8 million annually to local charities and support over 500 charitable grants annually in Canada.

Through our Connecting for Good programs, we build stronger, healthier communities and ensure that the most vulnerable among us don’t get left behind:

Mobility for Good: We’re helping young Canadians leaving foster care stay connected. Equipped with free smartphones and plans, they’ll have a reliable way to stay connected to the people, resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

Health for Good: All members of the community deserve to receive healthcare with dignity. TELUS Mobile Health Clinics, powered by TELUS Health technology, improve the way outreach nurses provide care for the most vulnerable among us.

Internet for Good: Every child should be able to reach their potential. Internet for Good connects families in need with high-speed and low-cost Internet, giving them the opportunity to succeed.

Tech for Good: We are helping differently abled Canadians facing challenges using smartphones and tablets with customized technology solutions that help them live more independently and stay connected.

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