Climate Mitigation, Adaptation and Energy Use
At Telenor, our mission is to continually reduce emissions, delivering on our science-based targets, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2045. We are also committed to managing the physical and transition risks of climate change, such as extreme weather events and rising temperatures.
Telenor has the following SBTi-approved science-based targets:
Overall Net-Zero Target:
Reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2045. Telenor Group commits to reduce scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions 90% by 2045 from a 2019 base year
Near-Term Targets:
Reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 64% by 2030 from a 2019 base year.
66% of Telenor’s suppliers by spend, covering purchased goods and services, and capital goods, will have science-based targets by 2025. We have also commited that 100% of our investments (True and CelcomDigi) will have science-based targets by 2025.
To mitigate our impact on climate change, our primary focus is on reducing emissions. This can be achieved through two main strategies:
Energy Efficiency: Limiting the growth of energy consumption.
Renewable Energy: Phasing in renewable energy sources. To meet our net-zero target, all of Telenor’s energy consumption must eventually come from renewable sources.
Telenor’s plan to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is aligned with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Our strategy includes three key steps:
By 2025:
Mobilize suppliers and the merged companies Celcom Digi and True Corporation in Malaysia and Thailand to set science-based targets.
Work to ensure that 66% of our suppliers set science-based emission reduction targets through the SBTi, in line with Telenor’s near-term scope 3 science-based target.
Continue to advocate for Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in Asia, to support the construction of new renewable electricity power plants.
Towards 2030:
Reduce scope 1&2 emissions by 90% in our Nordics markets and 50% in our Asian Markets.
Reduce scope 3 emissions to ensure total emissions (scope 1, 2, and 3) are on track towards our 2045 net-zero target.
Begin phasing in carbon removal for no more than 10% of our 2019 emissions.
Beyond 2030:
Continue reducing scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 90% compared to the baseline year, aiming to achieve this by 2040 in Nordic operations and by 2045 as a Group.
Telenor will increasingly set stricter requirements for real emission reductions from suppliers and proactively select those with a low GHG footprint. Additionally, we will pursue energy efficiency improvements to minimize the need for renewable electricity, recognizing it as a limited global resource.
Climate Adaptation
To prepare for and manage the physical risks of climate change, such as flooding, sea level changes, drought, and rising temperatures, Telenor is taking steps to safeguard its infrastructure. This effort spans operations, supply chains, distribution, communities, and employees, ensuring inclusive access to Telenor’s products, services, and key inputs like energy.
Managing transition risks related to policy, legal, technology, and market changes is also becoming increasingly important. Telenor is committed to maintaining resilient communication infrastructure amid severe weather events. We proactively invest in strengthening our transmission, fiber, and mobile networks to balance restoration costs and meet stricter Service Level Agreements and regulatory standards as reliance on critical services like 5G and IoT grows.