BCG Telco Sustainability Index

JULY 2021
BCG Telco
sustainability index
2020

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BCG Telco Sustainability Index: Key insights
Overall Observation
• Over the last years the TMT sector in general and the telco and tech industry in particular have increased their sustainability ambitions:
net zero targets have been pulled forward from often 2050 to even 2035
• The motivation for telco operators is clear: their carbon footprint has exceeded the footprint of the airline industry and will continue
to grow with the increased data transportation in fixed and mobile networks if not managed proactively
• The historical focus of telco operators has been on scope 1 and scope 2 emissions - now scope 3 is very often focused (i.e. covering the
entire supply chain) – two third of all emissions of a telco operator are typically scope 3 emissions
• In addition, “scope 4”, i.e. offering digital sustainability services which enable other industry sectors to become more sustainable, are
becoming more important
• Hence, embracing sustainability is much more of an opportunity for telco operators than a burden – the business potential is enormous!
• Even some consumer segments show an increased interest to buy green telco services/products and even paying more for it!
• While the business opportunity is obvious, telco operators also need to watch out for liabilities in their balance sheets, i.e. (old) assets
that consume a lot of energy – cost of capital will increase and share price will suffer if not managed proactively
Findings of this year's telco sustainability index
• In 2020, performance of top scorer improved further, while bottom scorer had no overall improvement
• European telcos maintain sustainability index leadership
• However, significant improvements can be observed in Europe and in North American as well
• Main driver for 2020 sustainability improvement were the announcement of new targets – execution is still open
• While the best telco operator has reached two thirds of the best possible score, on average the telco industry has not even reached the
50% mark!
• Enabling other industries to become more sustainable is still the most neglected dimension

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BCG
Sustainability
in Telco Index:
4 dimensions
Commitment
to sustainability
CO2
intensity
Customer
enablement
Circular
economy

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BCG Telco Sustainability Index covers 20+ telcos
across regions
Europe Europe & Other
(if international units
20%+ revenue)
North America Asia & Middle East

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BCG SiT grades based on comprehensive set of indicators
• Targets
• Culture
• Transparency &
Reporting
• Sustainable sourcing
Commitment to
sustainability
• CO2e intensity –
scope 1 & 2
emissions
• Energy intensity
• Energy sourcing
• CO2e intensity –
scope 3 emissions
CO2e & energy
intensity
• Waste intensity
• Recycling
• Collection of
end-user devices
Circular econo-
my and waste
• Carbon abatement
factor /
Enablement factor
• Green initiatives
• Green R&D
expenditures
Customer
enablement
Dimension
Indicators

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0
16
70
0
In 2020,
performance
of top scorer
improved
further, while
bottom scorer
had no overall
improvement
Source: BCG Sustainability in Telco Index 2020, N=22
Overall
score
Commitment
to sustainability
CO2 & energy
intensity
Circular economy
& waste
Customer
enablement
67
30
58
36
62
75
33
29
64
45
59
51
25
42
94
38
24
41
17
0
17
53
0
39
49
10
13
17
52
95
100
0
Bottom scorer 2019
Median
Top scorer (Overall score)
Other companies
Bottom scorer (Overall score)
Top scorer 2019 Median 2019
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European telcos maintain sustainability index leadership
14
30
24
33
40
34 35 33
55
50 50
62
23
30
32 32
34
36 43 44
49
60
62
21
33 35 35 36 36
40
42
50 50 50
56
62
64
66
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
-
Total score
17
17
- -
18
58
- -
47
18
29 29
53
28
37
26
57
34
30
-
47 47
56
55
-
58 57
2020
2018 2019
Asia & ME
North America
Europe Europe & other
In 2020, "Commitment to sustainability" dimension was changed to
incorporate more detailed view on culture & governance. For
comparison purposes, 2020 score here using old methodology

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Largest improvement in total score came from
European and North American telcos in 2020
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Total score 2020 with new category
2018 2019 2020
Asia & ME
North America
In 2020, "Commitment to
sustainability" dimension was changed
to incorporate more detailed view on
culture & governance

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On average,
telcos in North
America
improved the
most in 2020
46 44
29 27
50 51
31 28
55 55
37
31
Asia
North America
2018
2019
2020
4
7
2
1
5 4
6
4
Asia
Europe Europe & other North America
2019-18
2020-19
Overall score
Overall score Δ

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4
7
-1
2
4
3 2
8
5
6
8
3
6
1
6
6
9 8
3
-1
4
4
7
-3
4
3
3
6
0
Culture Transparency
& Reporting
Overall score Sustainable
sourcing
Targets CO2 & energy
intensity
Circular economy
& waste
Customer
enablement
22
0 0
North American telcos improved the most on average
Average score Δ 2020-2019
Asian telcos still have improvement opportunities in customer enablement, while North American group could improve focus on
circular economy & waste
Asia
Europe Europe & other North America
Commitment to sustainability

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9
3 4 4 2
5
1
Culture
Overall score Circular economy
& waste
Targets Transparency
& Reporting
Sustainable
sourcing
CO2 & energy
intensity
Customer
enablement
2020 score improvement main driver was new targets
Average score Δ 2020-2019
~50% operators
introduced new
targets for emission
reduction (primarily
scope 1&2) or for
waste reduction
CDP rating decreased/
increased for ~25% of
telcos each. Detailing of
env. data and external
assurance has improved
for some telcos
Integration of
sustainability
in supplier
selection
improved for
~30% of telcos
Energy use / emissions over
IP traffic criteria has
improved for 80% of telcos
due to increasing traffic,
while emissions / energy
over customers only
improved for 30-60%
Waste over IP traffic indicator
increased for 65% of telcos, while
waste over customers only for
35%. Mobile phone collection
indicator decreased for 30% of
telcos, improved only for 20%
Green initiatives &
R&D expenditure
improved for ~25%
of telcos, 10% of
telcos improved
cust. enablement
reporting
Commitment to sustainability

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Dimension 1: Commitment to sustainability
Indicator 1: Targets (1/2)
Metric Weight
Grades: 80+ 40+
60+ 20+ 0+ N/A
Data type: Numerical BCG Judgement Binary (Y/N)
N J B
Dimension score
CO2e scope 1 & 2 emissions:
Carbon neutrality ambition
CO2e scope 3 emissions:
Comprehensive measurement
Comprehensive targets
Waste: Comprehensiveness
and detail of measurement
Waste: Target ambition
Actionability of targets
25%
N
J
N
J
N
J
15%
5%
5%
5%
5%
15%
76
80
90
88
55
75
80
75
80
80
87
100
50
90
76
100
100
79
100
75
90
65
50
100
84
40
0
100
58
60
10
25
100
50
70
58
75
100
100
91
100
0
100
75
100
100
79
55
94
70
79
90
100
68
84
5
100
Europe Europe &
other
Europe
& other
Europe Europe Europe Europe
Europe
71
100
100
100
20
81
92
Europe
80
10
0
40
38
100
Europe
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Indicator 1: Targets (2/2)
Metric Weight
Grades: 80+ 40+
60+ 20+ 0+ N/A
N J B
Dimension score
CO2e scope 1 & 2 emissions:
Carbon neutrality ambition
Comprehensive measurement
Comprehensive targets
Waste: Comprehensiveness
and detail of measurement
Waste: Target ambition
Actionability of targets
N
J
N
J
N
J
15%
5%
5%
5%
5%
15%
61
0
100
25
100
63
80
57
100
30
0
100
0
70
19
70
10
43
20
75
60
16
0
15
0
70
25
50
33
0
0
0
100
0
0
54
40
0
0
0
0
60
48
70
40
0
85
65
60
58
40
30
0
70
13
50
33
40
30
78
70
60
80
North
America
Europe &
other
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
North
America
North
America
40
80
35
0
100
25
30
25%
Europe
57
40
0
0
30
0
0
Asia &
Middle E
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Indicators 2 (1/2)
Metric Weight
Grades: 80+ 40+
60+ 20+ 0+ N/A
N J B
Share of CEO var. remune-
ration on sustainability
Prominence of sustainability
in publications
Clear overall sustainability
responsibility
Level of position responsible
for climate-related issues
Breadth of responsibility
distribution
distribution
Type of Monitoring of
sustainability activities
N
N
J
J
J
J
J
5%
3%
3%
3%
3%
3%
3%
60
40
100
100
100
100
0
0
40
100
75
100
100
0
80
60
100
75
100
75
0
60
40
100
100
75
75
0
40
40
100
75
50
100
0
80
60
100
75
100
100
100
0
80
100
100
50
75
100
80
60
100
100
100
100
50
0
100
100
100
50
50
100
25%
40
60
50
100
50
75
50
Europe Europe &
other
Europe
& other
Europe Europe
Europe
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Indicators 2 (2/2)
Metric Weight
Grades: 80+ 40+
60+ 20+ 0+ N/A
N J B
Share of CEO var. remune-
ration on sustainability
Prominence of sustainability
in publications
Clear overall sustainability
responsibility
Level of position responsible
for climate-related issues
distribution
distribution
Type of Monitoring of
sustainability activities
N
N
J
J
J
J
J
5%
3%
3%
3%
3%
3%
3%
0
80
100
75
75
75
0
60
40
100
75
50
100
0
60
100
100
100
100
75
50
0
40
75
75
50
75
0
0
40
50
75
50
0
0
0
60
100
100
100
100
50
0
40
50
75
50
75
0
0
60
100
75
50
50
0
20
0
100
100
100
50
0
25%
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
60
100
75
50
25
0
North
America
Europe &
other
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
North
America
North
America
Europe Asia &
Middle E
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Indicators 3-4 (1/2)
Metric Weight
Grades: 80+ 40+
60+ 20+ 0+ N/A
N J B
CDP rating
Detail and recency of data
External assurance of data
Environmental supply chain
monitoring and taking action
Integration of sustainability
in supplier selection
N
J
B
J
J
5%
10%
5%
5%
5%
100
40
60
100
50
100
40
40
100
75
100
20
20
100
75
60
20
60
100
75
80
40
20
75
50
100
20
20
100
50
100
80
60
100
75
100
40
40
100
75
20
80
20
100
50
25%
60
20
40
100
75
Europe Europe &
other
Europe
& other
Europe Europe
Europe
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Indicators 3-4 (2/2)
Metric Weight
Grades: 80+ 40+
60+ 20+ 0+ N/A
N J B
CDP rating
Detail and recency of data
External assurance of data
Environmental supply chain
monitoring and taking action
Integration of sustainability
in supplier selection
N
J
B
J
J
5%
10%
5%
5%
5%
60
20
40
75
50
80
20
60
75
50
40
20
40
100
75
30
20
20
100
50
20
0
20
75
50
80
30
60
100
25
60
0
60
100
50
100
60
60
75
25
80
50
40
100
50
25%
20
20
0
75
25
20
20
20
100
25
North
America
Europe &
other
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
North
America
North
America
Europe Asia &
Middle E
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Methodology: Dimension 2: CO2e and energy intensity
CO2e emissions total / IP data traffic
CO2e emissions total / revenue
CO2e emissions total / # customers
Energy use total / IP data traffic
Energy use total / revenue
Energy use total / # customers
Metric Weight
20%
20%
20%
7%
7%
7%
N
N
N
N
N
N
N J B
Indicator
CO2e intensity –
scope 1 & 2 emissions
Type Grading criteria
100 = 0 kt / Exabyte
0 >= 150 kt / Exabyte1
100 = 0 t / USD Mio.
0 >= 60 t / USD Mio.1
100 = 0 t / 1,000 customers
0 >= 50 t / 1,000 customers1
100 = 400,000 GJ / Exabyte
0 >= 750,000 GJ / Exabyte1
100 = 200 GJ / USD Mio.
0 >= 600 GJ / USD Mio.1
100 = 50 GJ / 1,000 customers
0 >= 250 GJ / 1,000 customers1
Energy sourcing 100 = 100%
0 = 0%1
Renewable energy use ratio
Energy intensity
N
20%
1. Or no data published
25%

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Dimension 2: CO2e and energy intensity (1/2)
Metric Weight
Grades: 80+ 40+
60+ 20+ 0+ N/A
N J B
Dimension score
CO2e emissions total /
IP data traffic
revenue
# customers
Energy use total /
IP data traffic
Energy use total /
revenue
Energy use total /
# customers
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
20%
20%
20%
7%
7%
7%
20%
75
86
58
92
85
70
95
54
86
94
76
95
89
53
89
88
90
97
93
96
95
89
70
77
86
96
86
90
98
76
34
90
67
91
56
90
100
66
90
11
61
78
42
86
68
55
83
28
95
99
98
98
100
100
71
90
89
100
100
100
69
67
56
82
70
84
65
83
69
69
58
53
25%
92
100
98
99
100
59
48
95
Europe Europe &
other
Europe
& other
Europe Europe
Europe
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Dimension 2: CO2e and energy intensity (2/2)
Metric Weight
Grades: 80+ 40+
60+ 20+ 0+ N/A
N J B
Dimension score
IP data traffic
revenue
# customers
Energy use total /
IP data traffic
Energy use total /
revenue
Energy use total /
# customers
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
20%
20%
20%
7%
7%
7%
20%
40
44
40
43
51
93
43
9
24
51
0
7
80
74
31
1
45
83
45
36
94
80
0
2
57
87
77
80
54
67
0
0
39
83
0
56
100
0
65
0
70
95
71
83
100
100
100
0
44
85
36
42
99
75
0
2
26
14
0
87
0
0
95
0
36
53
21
37
73
88
47
0
44
74
19
82
59
0
75
0
25%
25
11
0
82
0
0
98
0
North
America
Europe &
other
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
North
America
North
America
Europe Asia &
Middle E
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Methodology: Dimension 3: Circular economy and waste
Waste total / IP data traffic
Waste total / revenue
Waste total / # customers
Waste recycled / total
Mobile phones collected / revenue
Metric Weight
17%
17%
17%
25%
25%
N
N
N
N
N
N J B
Indicator
Waste intensity
100 = 0 kt / Exabyte
0 >= 2 kt / Exabyte1
100 = 0 t / USD Mio.
0 >= 1.2 t / USD Mio.1
100 = 0 kg / customer
0 >= 1 kg / customer1
100 = 100%
0 = 0%1
100 = 70 phones collected / USD Mio.
0 = 0 phones collected / USD Mio.1
Collection of
end-user devices
Recycling
25%

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Dimension 3: Circular economy and waste (1/2)
Metric Weight
Grades: 80+ 40+
60+ 20+ 0+ N/A
N J B
Dimension score
Mobile phones collected /
revenue
N
N
N
N
N
17%
17%
17%
25%
25%
62
94
88
98
63
0
56
73
24
85
98
6
34
23
0
19
90
17
36
56
0
13
96
0
59
74
14
81
89
35
61
74
54
89
98
0
51
80
69
72
46
11
31
30
0
48
71
0
50
63
45
74
5
75
25%
4
0
0
0
0
16
Europe Europe &
other
Europe
& other
Europe Europe
Europe
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Dimension 3: Circular economy and waste (2/2)
Metric Weight
Grades: 80+ 40+
60+ 20+ 0+ N/A
N J B
Dimension score
Mobile phones collected /
revenue
N
N
N
N
N
17%
17%
17%
25%
25%
37
0
0
0
99
50
51
69
48
61
62
24
3
0
0
0
0
12
37
43
31
41
56
16
47
89
0
81
76
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
35
60
0
0
37
61
66
78
74
98
84
15
46
48
41
53
64
24
45
63
25
83
44
24
25%
0
0
0
0
0
0
North
America
Europe &
other
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
North
America
North
America
Europe Asia &
Middle E
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Methodology: Dimension 4: Customer enablement
Qualitative evaluation of current
green initiatives
Green R&D expenditures / revenue
Calculated and published
Comprehensive scope
Transparent methodology
Ambition
Metric Weight
20%
20%
15%
15%
15%
15%
J
N
B
J
J
N J B
Indicator
Green initiatives
6 grade levels, based on evaluation of factors such as green product
offerings, eco-friendly product design, take-back & recycling initiatives,
minimization of product impact, promotion of responsible use
100 = 25%
0 = 0%1
50 = Yes
0 = No
Max. 25 pts. for group-wide scope (based on revenue % of subsidiaries)
Additional 25 pts. in case scope 3 emissions are included
50 = complete breakdown
25 = reference to external standards / guidelines
0 = only total without breakdown
50 = EF of 10 by 2025
45 = EF of 10 by 2030
25 = EF of 3 by 2020
20 = EF of 2 achieved in 2018
15 = EF of 2 by 2020, incl. scope 3 emissions
10 = EF of 2 by 2020, excl. scope 3 emissions
0 = No EF ambition communicated
Carbon abatement factor
/ Enablement factor2
Green R&D expenditures
J
2. Mid-term goal: Substitute current metrics with quantitative measure: 100 = Achievement of factor 10x
25%

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Dimension 4: Customer enablement (1/2)
Metric Weight
Grades: 80+ 40+
60+ 20+ 0+ N/A
N J B
Dimension score
Green initiatives
Enablement factor:
Enablement factor:
Comprehensive scope
Enablement factor:
Enablement factor:
Ambition
20%
20%
15%
15%
15%
15%
J
J
N
B
J
J
51
100
6
50
50
50
50
36
83
5
50
25
0
50
32
67
0
50
25
25
25
40
83
0
50
38
25
40
21
100
5
0
0
0
0
25
100
27
0
0
0
0
49
100
20
50
50
50
15
45
83
0
50
38
50
50
37
67
0
50
34
50
25
25%
37
67
25
50
25
25
25
Europe Europe &
other
Europe
& other
Europe Europe
Europe
Player 6 Player 10
Player 9

25
Copyright
©
2021
by
Boston
Consulting
Group.
All
rights
reserved.
Dimension 4: Customer enablement (2/2)
Metric Weight
Grades: 80+ 40+
60+ 20+ 0+ N/A
N J B
Dimension score
Green initiatives
Enablement factor:
Enablement factor:
Comprehensive scope
Enablement factor:
Enablement factor:
Ambition
20%
20%
15%
15%
15%
15%
J
J
N
B
J
J
13
67
0
0
0
0
0
33
50
0
50
25
25
50
37
50
1
50
25
50
50
7
33
0
0
0
0
0
10
50
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
13
67
0
0
0
0
0
13
67
0
0
0
0
0
7
33
0
0
0
0
0
37
67
0
40
20
50
50
25%
10
50
0
0
0
0
0
North
America
Europe &
other
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
Asia &
Middle E
North
America
North
America
Europe Asia &
Middle E
Player 16 Player 20
Player 19 Player 21

26
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