Proximus recognized with prestigious 'A' score for climate actions, as one of two Belgian companies
Proximus has been recognized at today’s annual CDP Europe Awards for its corporate sustainability and climate efforts, securing a place on the prestigious 2020 Climate A List. Along with AB-Inbev, Proximus is the only Belgian company to receive the ‘A’ label, rewarding leaders in corporate transparency and action on climate change.
Global environmental non-profit CDP’s annual scoring process is widely recognized as the gold standard of corporate environmental transparency. CDP assesses participating companies based on the comprehensiveness of disclosure, awareness and management of environmental risks as well as demonstration of best practices associated with environmental leadership, such as setting ambitious and meaningful targets. The assessment results in a score from A to D-.
In 2020, over 515 investors with over US$106 trillion in assets and 150+ major purchasers with US$4 trillion in procurement spend requested companies to disclose data on environmental impacts, risks and opportunities through CDP’s platform. Over 9,600 responded – the highest ever.
Out of more than 5,800 organizations receiving a score, Proximus was one of the 273 companies obtaining the top rating "A". Within the international telecommunications industry, Proximus is part of a select group of companies to receive the highest rating, together with other leading players like Deutsche Telekom, KPN and Telefónica. Proximus was recognized for its actions to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and develop the low-carbon economy.
Recognition for embedding sustainability and circularity into the heart of economic activities
For Proximus, this rating as an A listed company is a recognition for its strong strategic focus on sustainability. Proximus has been carbon neutral for its own activities since 2016. This has been achieved by drastically reducing carbon emissions and by supporting certified Gold Standard climate projects. Going forward, the company is going even further and will go beyond carbon neutrality without compensation. Its bold ambition is to make a net positive contribution to a net zero planet and to become a truly circular company by 2030.
To achieve this, Proximus is embedding a sustainable reflex into everything it does. The company has adopted the Science-Based Targets (SBT) methodology for its CO₂ emissions, endorsing the common goal to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Next to setting clear goals to reduce waste, recycle materials and further reduce its own carbon footprint, Proximus also imposes strict standards throughout its supply chain and helps its customers to reduce their footprint through the products and services it offers.
In 2020, Proximus further reduced its own emissions with more than a quarter and recycled, reused or composted 88% of its waste. The company collected 65,000 old mobile phones with its flagship project "Don’t Miss the Call" and reached the milestone of 2 million refurbished modems and decoders since the start in 2014. Proximus is also committed to renewable energy and is part of RE100, a global initiative driving the transition to 100% renewable electricity. Since 2019, 100% of the electricity it consumes comes from renewable sources.
This award is not only a recognition of our efforts, but also an encouragement to go further and a tool to determine how we can become more efficient in achieving our goals. As announced last week, our relentless efforts to reduce our environmental impact have enabled us to reach our 2025 carbon footprint goals already in 2020. But we want to go further, by truly embracing circularity and making a net positive contribution to a net zero planet by 2030. This means that the decarbonising effect of our products and services on our customers’ footprint will exceed the sum of our direct and indirect carbon emissions.
Paul SimpsonCEO of CDPWe extend our congratulations to all the companies on this year's A List. Taking the lead on environmental transparency and action is one of the most important steps businesses can make, and is even more impressive in this challenging year marked by COVID-19. The scale of the risk to businesses from climate change, deforestation and water insecurity is enormous, and we know the opportunities of action far outweigh the risks of inaction. Leadership from the private sector will create an ‘ambition loop' for greater government action and ensure that global ambitions for a net zero sustainable economy become a reality. Our A List celebrates those companies who are preparing themselves to excel in the economy of the future by taking action today.
