Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-14 03:10:17
The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) has recognized over 20 telecommunication operators for their transparency efforts on climate change in a new global ranking. The ranking, known as the ‘A List 2023’, assessed more than 21,000 companies and identified 22 top-performing telcos that demonstrated “environmental leadership” by disclosing and measuring their climate impact, as well as taking tangible, measurable actions to combat climate change. The ‘A’ score is given to companies that showed best practice in strategy and action as recognized by various frameworks, such as the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the Accountability Framework.
These top-performing telecommunication companies are based in Asia and Europe. Across Europe, the ‘A’ score was bestowed upon BT Group, Deutsche Telekom, Elisa, Proximus, Swisscom, Tele2, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telekom Austria, and Vodafone Group. The top Asia-based telco accolades in CDP’s list went to Chunghwa Telecom, NTT, NTT Data, Reliance Jio, Singtel, SK Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, Telstra, Turkcell. U.S. operator AT&T and Telecom Italia’s South American unit, TIM Brasil, were also recognized as leading telcos in terms of climate change-related disclosures and performance.
For example, Singtel, a Singaporean operator, claimed to be the first South-east Asian telco to achieve the top rating. The company has invested 150 million Singaporean dollars (SGD) (US$111.4m) in various initiatives to tackle climate change, such as using renewable sources for electricity needs, deploying solar panels at its facilities, and using AI and machine learning (ML) to optimize the energy used by its network. It also claimed to be the first telco in the continent to have renewed targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Tele2, a European network operator, also expressed pride in its inclusion in the ‘A List’ for the second year in a row and highlighted its efforts for climate action and transparency. Cellnex, another European network operator, has been recognized for the fifth year in a row for its “transparency and commitment to tackling climate change.”
Telefónica, a global leader in terms of its transparency in taking climate-change related action, has received the top ranking for the tenth consecutive year. The telco group has reduced CO2 emissions in its operations (Scopes 1 and 2) by more than 80% through the introduction of more efficient technologies and the use of renewable energies in 100% of its facilities in Europe, Brazil, Chile, and Peru.
The recognition of these telecommunication operators demonstrates their commitment to taking tangible, measurable actions to combat climate change, setting science-based targets, developing risk assessment strategies, and reporting on deforestation impact for all relevant operations, supply chains, and commodities. As companies continue to prioritize environmental transparency and performance, it is essential for the telecommunications industry to play a leading role in combating climate change and transitioning to more sustainable practices.
