Climate Week: Sustainable Solutions in Everyday Activities
On the occasion of Climate Week, the public is invited to openly discuss challenges and opportunities related to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience building. This is a great moment to pause and reflect on how our everyday decisions impact the planet.
VšĮ “Plačiajuostis Internetas” addresses these objectives consistently by reducing the environmental impact of its operations and integrating sustainability principles into all areas of activity. The organization’s operations are based on a responsible approach, adhering to environmental standards, aiming to reduce pollution and negative environmental impacts, and making environmental commitment an integral part of its strategic goals.
To achieve this strategic goal, the organization operates under an environmental management system compliant with the LST EN ISO 14001:2015 standard, which applies throughout the entire process—from planning to risk assessment and results review. An external audit was conducted this year, and the certificate validity was extended by an international company accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS). Once a year, all environmental aspects are identified, evaluated, and managed, overseen by an environmental representative appointed by management. Thus, environmental protection is not a formality but a systematic, auditable process.
When choosing transport for daily activities, priority is given to low-emission (e.g., alternative fuel) and innovative vehicles. Cooling systems have been modernized, equipment operation optimized, and parts of the network nodes are powered by renewable energy sources. Paper usage is steadily reduced—with 99% of documents in the third quarter of this year being digital. These measures help consistently reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Another important environmental aspect is waste management, carried out in accordance with the Waste Management Law and Waste Management Rules. All waste generated within the organization is collected, sorted, and handed over to waste management companies. In the second quarter of this year, the organization submitted 604 kg of waste for disposal, including plastics, cardboard, electronics, and other materials. The organization also actively participates in environmental initiatives, such as projects organized by producers’ and importers’ associations and waste management companies, aimed at collecting electronics, batteries, accumulators, and other waste throughout Lithuania.
“It is important that every step we take, from waste management to digital innovations, is based on environmental principles. Only by consistently implementing sustainable solutions can we contribute to climate change mitigation and create a harmonious relationship between technology and the environment,” says Jolanta Kavaliūnaitė, Head of the Network Management Division at VšĮ “Plačiajuostis Internetas.”
Closely linked to environmental protection, the organization also develops digital innovations. In early 2024, projects “Ultra-Fast Connectivity Infrastructure (ISRI)” and “ISRI-2” were launched, one of whose goals is to expand gigabit-speed broadband access in remote areas of the country. These projects not only reduce digital exclusion but also promote sustainable regional development, enabling remote work, learning, and green economy opportunities.
During Climate Week, VšĮ “Plačiajuostis Internetas” invites clients, partners, employees, and the public to join collective efforts in reducing the carbon footprint and promoting sustainable solutions in everyday activities.
More information about the organization’s environmental activities can be found here.