As sustainability becomes a more pressing issue globally, businesses in the tech, media, and telecoms sectors are facing increasing regulatory pressure to reduce their environmental impact.

The UK has several regulations in place, and many of these are shaping the way companies in these industries operate, particularly in terms of energy consumption and waste management.

One of the primary compliance requirements is the Climate Change Act, which mandates that the UK reach net-zero emissions by 2050(1). Companies in the tech, media, and telecoms sectors are not exempt from this.

For instance, data centres, which are integral to many businesses in these industries, must find ways to reduce their carbon footprints and improve energy efficiency(2). The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), which requires companies to assess their energy use and implement savings measures, also applies to certain organisations within these sectors(3).

Additionally, regulations such as the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive have significant implications for companies in tech. This regulation requires businesses to take responsibility for the disposal and recycling of electronic goods and materials. As tech products rapidly evolve, managing electronic waste in compliance with these rules becomes increasingly important(4).

Telecoms providers are subject to other compliance requirements, especially when it comes to reducing the carbon emissions associated with their networks. The UK’s Net Zero Strategy and UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)(5) also impact this industry, as telecom companies must consider the carbon footprint of their operations, including the construction and maintenance of network infrastructure.

Lastly, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is becoming increasingly important in the tech sector, particularly for businesses that produce electronic products and packaging. As the UK tightens its regulations around waste management, tech, media, and telecoms companies must ensure they have robust systems in place to manage waste, recycle materials, and meet environmental targets(6).

Compliance with sustainability regulations is not just about avoiding penalties-it’s an essential part of running a responsible business in today’s market. For companies in these sectors, sustainability is now a fundamental consideration that impacts everything from product development to waste management and energy use.

Bibliography

1 Climate Change Act 2008 (Accessed May 2025) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/27/contents

2 Energy efficient data centres will lead the way to net zero (Accessed May 2025) https://www.energymanagermagazine.co.uk/data-centres-and-the-future-of-low-carbon-heat-in-the-uk

3 Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (Accessed May 2025) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/energy-savings-opportunity-scheme-esos

4 Regulations: Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) (Accessed May 2025) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/regulations-waste-electrical-and-electronic-equipment

5 Participating in the UK ETS (Accessed May 2025) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/participating-in-the-uk-ets/participating-in-the-uk-ets

6 Extended producer responsibility for packaging: who is affected and what to do (Accessed May 2025) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/extended-producer-responsibility-for-packaging-who-is-affected-and-what-to-do