Nokia has declared its commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) globally by 2040, a decade ahead of its previous target.
This announcement places Nokia ahead of the Paris Agreement’s objective of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
The telecommunications giant has also reaffirmed its dedication to its near-term goal for 2030, aiming to halve its GHG emissions across Scope 1, 2, and 3 from a baseline established in 2019. Additionally, Nokia plans to expedite the decarbonization of its own operations as part of its near-term targets.
Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO of Nokia, emphasized the company’s prioritization of sustainability, stating, “Our new emission reduction targets show that net zero is a business priority for Nokia.”
Pekka Lundmark highlighted Nokia’s role in assisting telecom customers and enterprise partners in reducing emissions, pledging accelerated efforts towards creating technology that fosters global collaboration in combating climate change.
Nokia’s commitment to environmental responsibility is not new; the company was the first telecom vendor to have its 2030 Science Based Target (SBT) validated by the SBTi in 2017. By recalibrating its targets in 2021 to align with a 1.5°C warming scenario, Nokia reaffirmed its dedication to combatting climate change.
To ensure alignment with climate science, Nokia has submitted its net-zero commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), underscoring its commitment to rigorous environmental standards.
Nokia’s strategy for achieving net zero includes a comprehensive pathway addressing various aspects of its operations:
Product Design and Innovation: Nokia aims to improve the energy efficiency of its products, with a focus on reducing emissions from products in use. This includes advancements such as the Quillion chipset and FP5 network processor, which significantly reduce power consumption.
Low-carbon Electricity: Nokia is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity in its facilities by 2025 and is actively engaging its supply chain in this transition.
Energy and Material Efficiency: Nokia aims to achieve 95% circularity by 2030, particularly in reducing operational waste.
Carbon Removals: Nokia is exploring credible solutions for carbon removal to neutralize residual emissions and achieve long-term net-zero targets.
However, Nokia faces unique challenges in decarbonizing its marine fleet, which plays a crucial role in laying submarine cables worldwide. The company is investing in more efficient vessels and exploring the use of biofuels to reduce emissions in alignment with international decarbonization pathways.