Aerial image of the O2 at night
Objective

AEG is one of the first live music and sports companies to adopt a science-based goal for reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 3.2% per year from 2010 to 2020. Energy represents AEG’s second-highest operating cost, so how we manage our energy usage is critical to our long-term success. Buying 100% renewable energy is part of our wider energy strategy and it makes good business sense, as well as delivering CSR benefits.

Approach

The O₂ reached a milestone in its sustainability program when it completed its transition to 100% renewable electricity in 2015. Because of the size of its operational footprint, The O₂ is a significant contributor to AEG’s progress towards its sustainability goals. The journey to 100% renewables started in 2012 when the district first installed 22 kilowatts of rooftop solar panels and started sourcing renewable energy through its electric power suppliers using a blend of renewable sources including wind, solar, hydro, waste, and biomass. In July 2015, The O₂ transitioned its final “brown” power accounts to renewable energy.

Results

Between 2012 and 2015, these renewable energy supplies reduced the district’s carbon emissions by about 30,000 metric tons. The Energy Label, which specifies the source and carbon content of the electricity The O₂ buys, is an important benefit as one of the biggest challenges in energy procurement is getting transparency and having confidence in what is bought. The O₂ is the third site in the AEG portfolio to reach the milestone of reaching 100% sourcing of renewable electricity.