Telecom Operators’ carbon neutrality strategies worldwide

Telecom Operators’ carbon neutrality strategies worldwide


This report takes stock of the climate strategy of operators around the world and puts it into perspective with current climate objectives. It highlights the opportunities and challenges that these operators face in relation to the Paris Agreement, as well as the different approaches to contributing to carbon neutrality objectives: reduction/avoided emissions/carbon sink.

It analyses six operators around the world and their climate strategy: Orange, Telefónica, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, Etisalat and Ooredoo.

What is carbon neutrality? What do the regulations say?
What are the different possible strategies for achieving carbon neutrality (in terms of emission reductions, emissions avoided and absorbed)?
What are the climate strategies of the six operators analysed?


1. Executive summary and main conclusions
2. Context
2.1. Global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
GHG emissions continue to rise
A goal of carbon neutrality to halt unquestionable global warming
2.2. Regulations and use of the term “carbon neutrality”
Targets and regulations at several levels
What is carbon neutrality?
“Carbon neutrality”: a term to be used with caution
3. Strategies for achieving carbon neutrality
The Net Zero Initiative methodology
Reducing emissions specific to operators: the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or Bilan Carbone®
Reducing operators’ own emissions: what trajectory?
Avoided emissions
Reducing emissions outside its scope of activity: avoided emissions
Increase in absorbed emissions
4. The operators’ climate strategy: Orange, Telefónica, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone
The environmental impact of digital companies
The role of digital technology in decarbonisation
4.1. Operator emissions reduction strategy
Emissions avoided by operators – Operators’ opinions
Telefónica : Scope covered – Reduction trajectory
Vodafone : Scope covered – Reduction trajectory
Orange : Scope covered – Reduction trajectory
Deutsche Telekom : Scope covered – Reduction trajectory
Etisalat : Scope covered – Reduction trajectory
Ooredoo : Scope covered – Reduction trajectory
4.2. Operators’ current regenerative projects
Increasing carbon sinks: Telefónica– Orange – Etisalat– Ooredoo

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