The road to net-zero emission and true circularity

The road to net-zero emission

Breakdown of Proximus CO2 footprint in 2023 (Scope 1 – 2 – 3)

Table like graph illustrating the co2 breakdown
(the figures are rounded)

Scopes 1 and 2: Our direct and indirect emissions

Firstly, we are continuing to source green electricity by maximizing self-production through solar panels and by gradually moving toward the right mix of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). This is in line with the global initiative RE100, led by the Climate Group, to accelerate change toward renewable energy. In this respect, we signed a PPA with Engie in October 2023 that will contribute to securing approximately 20% of Proximus’ green electricity and reduce exposure to a volatile electricity market.

 Secondly, we are closely monitoring our electricity consumption, and implementing measures to keep it under control, despite the increasing demand for bandwidth and data, and the resulting rise in electricity usage in our networks and data centers. For instance, when upgrading old network equipment like voice switches, we incorporate energy-efficient technologies. We are also simplifying our network by replacing buildings storing technical equipment with extremely compact and more electricity-efficient units. Through Mwingz, our joint venture with Orange Belgium, we have continued the consolidation of our mobile sites, switching off 264 mobile sites in 2023. Furthermore, we maintained a consistent Power Usage Efficiency (PUE) of 1.47 in our data centers throughout 2023, indicating a 25% reduction in power usage over the past decade. Collectively, these initiatives resulted in a net saving of 10 GWh, representing an additional 3% net saving in 2023.

Thirdly, to become net zero, we are progressively eradicating the use of fossil fuels by replacing fossil fuel heating systems with alternative technologies. This represents an investment of € 17 million throughout the period 2021-2030. Additionally, we are intensifying the electrification of our management fleet. Since July 2023, employees have only been able to choose from a range of electric vehicles. However, the heavy-duty vans in our technical fleet remain a challenge, as no suitable alternatives are currently available on the market. Finally, bicycles are increasingly being used by our technicians and for store deliveries. Thanks to the CULT project (Collaborative Urban Logistics & Transport), deliveries in the center of Antwerp are now almost entirely emission-free. We have reduced our CO2 emissions by 95% and our delivery driving kilometers by 25%. The CULT project was launched in Brussels in 2023.

Scope 3: Indirect emissions resulting from our value chain

Our scope 3 emissions are highly concentrated in the “Purchased Goods & Services” activities and represent 19 times the amount generated by our own operations. These account for approximately 95% of our total CO2 emissions in 2023. To reach our emission reduction targets, we are transitioning towards sustainable sourcing as a standard practice, which impacts the way we operate, as well as the ways we engage with our suppliers.

Internally, we are progressively transforming the way we operate to avoid carbon emissions by sourcing less, namely by shifting toward circular business models wherever possible. Furthermore, we aim to source in the “right” way, meaning we integrate environmental criteria into our procurement decisions.

Through our Supplier Engagement Program, we collaborate with our top 150 suppliers, which collectively represent 85% of our scope 3 emissions (category 1 “Purchased Goods and Services” and category 2 “Capital Goods”) in 2023. We support them in establishing emission reduction targets that are just as ambitious as our own, and in disclosing their progress in this respect on an annual basis. These goals are integrated into contractual clauses.

With these actions, we position ourselves as a key enabler for climate action across our value chain. By 2025, our ambition is to have suppliers with validated emission reduction targets account for 35% of these scope 3 emission categories.

Circularity

Adopting circular economy principles is vital for reducing global emissions. Proximus is committed to becoming fully circular by 2030, aiming for net zero emissions. Our goal is to recycle or reuse 90% of waste by 2025, achieving zero waste by 2030. In 2023, we managed to recycle or reuse 84% of our waste. Our focus areas include devices, network and data centers and buildings.

For devices, we rely on eco-design, such as our 2022 launch of an Internet box made from recycled plastics. We encourage consumers to return their mobile device for refurbishment or recycling, with 128.002 mobile phones collected in 2023. We also refurbished numerous devices, ensuring over 90% of modems and decoders are reusable, with devices re-entering the market up to four times before recycling. Our "as-a-service" model extends the lifecycle of our equipment by leasing, then refurbishing or recycling it upon return.

In packaging, we minimize plastics and paper use, opting for smaller packaging and recycled materials. Infrastructure upgrades also follow circular principles, exemplified by recycling 590 tons of copper from our network transition to fiber. Our collaboration with Orange in the Mwingz joint venture aims to reduce base station numbers by 40% and reduce electricity usage by 20%.

Our commitment extends to our facilities, with the Campus project illustrating our dedication to circularity in building management.

Some of our net-zero emission initiatives

Some of our circular initiatives

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