Telefonica has launched its Global Sustainability Plan 2026–2030, placing sustainability at the center of its business strategy to accelerate growth, improve operational efficiency, strengthen resilience, and create long-term value.
Telefonica’s plan outlines environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets, including reducing value chain emissions by 56 percent, achieving zero waste by 2030, and reaching net-zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2040.
The sustainability roadmap positions ESG as a competitive business driver rather than only a regulatory requirement. Telefonica aims to support responsible digitalisation, improve customer digital wellbeing and safety, strengthen supply chain resilience, expand sustainable finance, and create new business opportunities through energy efficiency, circular economy initiatives, and digital decarbonisation solutions.
Telefonica Raises Climate Ambition with 2030 and 2040 Targets
Under its environmental strategy, Telefonica plans to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent and Scope 3 emissions by 56 percent by 2030. These targets support the company’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040, including emissions across its value chain.
The company will continue investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency, long-term renewable power purchase agreements, climate adaptation measures, and resilient telecommunications infrastructure. Telefonica is also targeting zero waste by 2030 by extending the life of technology assets through refurbishment, reuse, recycling, and improved management of critical materials.
Circular Economy Delivers Strong Results
Telefonica highlighted significant progress in circular economy initiatives. During its latest reporting period, the company reused or recycled 95 percent of all operational waste generated across its business.
Its circularity programmes processed more than 4 million hardware units, extending product lifecycles and reducing resource consumption. Additionally, approximately 780,000 network assets were recovered through reuse and recycling programmes, helping minimise waste while extracting greater value from existing telecommunications equipment.
Digital Climate Solutions Generate €743 Million Revenue
Telefonica’s sustainability-focused digital services continue to create both commercial and environmental value.
Climate-related solutions covering smart mobility, teleworking, and e-health generated €743 million in revenue during 2025 while maintaining 100 percent alignment with the European Union Taxonomy.
These digital services enabled customers to avoid an estimated 19.2 million tonnes of CO₂e emissions, supporting corporate decarbonisation by reducing travel, improving operational efficiency, and promoting sustainable business practices.
The company’s renewable energy investments, including solar photovoltaic projects, also maintained 100 percent EU Taxonomy alignment, reinforcing Telefónica’s commitment to clean energy deployment.
Significant Progress Toward Net-Zero
Telefonica reported substantial progress in reducing its carbon footprint.
The company has already achieved a 91 percent reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions compared with 2015 levels, driven by renewable electricity adoption, infrastructure modernisation, and energy efficiency improvements.
It has also reduced Scope 3 emissions by 34 percent compared with 2016 levels, reflecting collaboration with suppliers and partners to lower emissions throughout the wider value chain.
Social and Governance Priorities
The sustainability plan also focuses on responsible digitalisation by expanding rural connectivity, improving accessibility, strengthening child online protection, and promoting customers’ digital wellbeing.
Telefonica will bbe developing Eco Smart solutions that help businesses and public sector organisations reduce emissions while supporting their environmental goals. The company also plans to strengthen employee skills through training in strategic technologies while fostering more inclusive workplaces.
Sustainable Finance Expands
Telefonica said more than 40 percent of its financing portfolio is now linked to sustainability criteria, demonstrating the growing role of sustainable finance in supporting the company’s long-term environmental and business objectives.
SHAFANA FAZAL
