What is the telecoms sustainability scorecard?
The sustainability scorecard rates the sustainability credentials and progress of telecom operators and a selection of other key companies from the industry
We include a handful of global technology, content and infrastructure players to help telecom operators understand where their strengths and weaknesses lie compared to them.
Through eight criteria, we evaluate 76 companies’ sustainability reporting, net-zero progress, biodiversity, social and governance targets, and their activities to enable their employees and customers to achieve net-zero ambitions.
The purpose of the scorecard is twofold:
1. To help telecoms operators understand how they compare against their peers
2. To identify which levers they can pull to accelerate both their own and their customers’ maturity in sustainability, through taking inspiration from those that are further ahead in their journey
Our eight criteria aim to provide a holistic view of the maturity in sustainability of telcos and their peers
1. Holistic sustainability reporting. Granular sustainability reporting and discussion of sustainability-related initiatives across the organisation are evidence of long-term and company-wide commitment.
2. Sustainability commitments and incentives. The integration of ESG performance into board and employee level incentives demonstrates that the organisation sees achieving sustainability targets as core to its long-term competitiveness.
3. Progress towards net-zero. If we are to tackle climate change, there is no getting around the fact companies need to progress in reaching net-zero. Companies that set ambitious net-zero targets, and report across all scope 3 categories demonstrate a commitment and confidence in meeting emissions targets.
4. Green finance. The issuing of green bonds or sustainability-linked bonds show that a company is committed to raising money for projects that are going to support its drive towards sustainable practices.
5. Inclusion, diversity and governance. Companies with a holistic approach to sustainability will articulate their progress in diversity and have implemented activities addressing digital inclusion. In addition, companies must evidence a strong investment in employee development and define frameworks that will govern their ethical usage of data and AI.
6. Commitment to biodiversity. Biodiversity is a nascent feature of corporate sustainability initiatives, yet it constitutes a crucial component to meeting global sustainability targets.
7. Enablement. Companies that are committed to enabling their customers to reduce their carbon footprint will have concerted initiatives that are delivering measurable benefits, likely with a sector-specific focus.
8. Collaboration. Standardisation within sustainability is still relatively nascent and can only be achieved when multiple stakeholders, within and across industries, work together.
We evaluate the sustainability progress of 76 companies
