Helping to drive the environmental and energy transition

The rapid growth of digital uses presents a challenge in terms of sustainability. By optimising equipment, using renewable energies and developing the circular economy, we are rising to this challenge because we firmly believe that we can reduce the impact of digital technologies.

One of the commitments we made at COP21 was to reduce CO2 emissions per customer usage by 50% between 2006 and 2020. In 2017, we achieved that objective and in 2018 we exceeded it, having reduced these emissions by 56.6%. We also reduced our overall carbon footprint by 3.2% in the two years to 2018.

Reducing overall energy consumption

Our networks consume energy and generate CO2 emissions. To tackle these issues, we are deploying the Green ITN 2020 programme that drives the development of energy efficient solutions. In Africa and the Middle East, our Energy Services Company (ESCO) programme helps avoid 80,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year and we are aiming to fulfil over 30% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030. In addition, Orange has deployed an environmental management system that has been recognised with ISO 14001 certification across two thirds of the Group’s global businesses. We are also working to increase the energy efficiency of our buildings and transport, looking particularly at limiting business travel.

2.7 million tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided between 2010 and 2018
2,800 solar power stations supply our mobile telephone systems in Africa
The largest company car-sharing pool in Europe

Pursuing our circular economy strategy

Our strategic steering committee for the circular economy has defined an action plan to reduce the environmental impact of our projects and services throughout their lifecycle. In 2018, we created an exchange platform to redeploy set-top boxes and boost second-hand mobile sales. We have also opened an internal repair centre in Senegal and put in place systems to collect and recycle unwanted devices that are customised to handle different types of waste and adapt to different markets.

1.6 million unwanted mobiles collected in Europe
20,000 set-top boxes repaired in Poland and redeployed in Senegal

Working towards carbon neutrality in 2050

Orange is actively involved with international organisations such as the International Telecommunications Union to ensure the industry contributes to limiting global warming to 1.5°C. We also participate in business networks like the Net Zero Initiative, which is working to establish a common benchmark for corporate carbon neutrality that is approved by an independent scientific committee.

Driving the transition with digital technology

Digital technologies hold the key to monitoring, reading and analysing consumption and enable us to offer customers innovative and sustainable alternative solutions, such as urban services adapted to people’s needs, company car pool management, energy efficiency in buildings, street light optimisation, etc.

Preserving biodiversity

Orange supports a number of scientific programmes such as the Mont-Blanc Research Centre for Alpine Ecosystems, which studies the impact of climate change on biodiversity. As a partner of the Euro-Argo project, our cable ships are installing autonomous profiling floats to monitor oceans in real time. We also prioritise wildlife conservation when deploying our networks, for example taking into account the tortoise nesting season in the installation schedule for the Kanawa submarine cable in Guiana.