ZTE's Practical Steps Towards Effective Climate Action Aligning with Environmental Aims
In the realm of telecoms and networking, ZTE is making significant strides in promoting sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. The company, which serves a global clientele including telecom operators, governments, enterprises, and consumers, has set comprehensive sustainability goals and initiatives focused on reducing carbon emissions and promoting green innovation.
In 2024, ZTE recorded an 8.39 percent reduction in physical emissions intensity during the use and maintenance phase of its telecoms products business. This reduction was due to a variety of efforts, such as developing new models, innovations in energy-saving technology, and the development of high-density and low-power boards. The company also improved the energy efficiency of power products and increased the use of green energy at communication sites.
One of ZTE's key carbon emission reduction goals is to achieve a 52 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. By 2040, the company aims to be operationally carbon neutral, with renewables accounting for 80 percent of power generation, and all company vehicles being electric. By 2050, ZTE aims to have renewables accounting for 100 percent of power generation and 100 percent of procurement coming from suppliers committed to science-based carbon targets.
ZTE's commitment to sustainability extends beyond its own operations. In 2024, the company conducted onsite audits at 261 of its production suppliers, guided 100 suppliers on assessing their carbon impact, helped 10 suppliers set carbon reduction targets and work out how to achieve them, and provided training for dozens more on various carbon reduction efforts.
In the realm of green innovation, ZTE implements a "green digital path" strategy across corporate operations, supply chain, digital infrastructure, and green empowerment of industries. The company has over 800 green innovation patents as of 2024 and has conducted carbon footprint assessments for 154 products covering all categories. Via end-to-end green solutions, ZTE helps global operators save over 10 billion kWh of electricity annually.
ZTE's efforts towards sustainability have not gone unnoticed. The company has received numerous awards, including the Informa's Outstanding Green Fiber Use Case award for its Green Pon solution and CDP China and PWC China's selection for the Chinese Enterprise CDP Disclosure Analysis Report 2023. In 2024, ZTE was also awarded the EcoVadis Gold Medal for sustainability excellence, ranking among the top 4 percent globally and top 2 percent in communication equipment manufacturing.
ZTE's top executives, including the chairman, CEO, chief scientist, and all level two unit heads, serve on the Strategy and Sustainability Committee, which has a mandate to build out the company's governance system for strategic and sustainable development, with a focus on climate change, a circular economy, and managing environmental impact.
In summary, ZTE is advancing a robust, science-based, multi-dimensional sustainability agenda that couples ambitious carbon emission targets with innovation-led green infrastructure and responsible supply chain management, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and lead in sustainable ICT solutions globally.
- ZTE's telecom products business recorded an 8.39 percent reduction in physical emissions intensity in 2024, due to initiatives such as energy-saving technology, high-density low-power boards, and energy-efficient power products.
- By 2030, ZTE aims to achieve a 52 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, with goals to be operationally carbon neutral by 2040 and having renewables account for 80 percent of power generation.
- Beyond its own operations, ZTE conducts onsite audits, guides suppliers on assessing carbon impact, helps set carbon reduction targets, and provides training on various carbon reduction efforts for its production suppliers.
- In the realm of green innovation, ZTE has over 800 green innovation patents, conducts carbon footprint assessments for 154 products, and helps global operators save over 10 billion kWh of electricity annually through end-to-end green solutions.
- The company's efforts have earned numerous awards, including the Informa's Outstanding Green Fiber Use Case award, CDP China and PWC China's selection for the Chinese Enterprise CDP Disclosure Analysis Report 2023, and the EcoVadis Gold Medal for sustainability excellence.
- The top executives at ZTE, including the chairman, CEO, chief scientist, and all level two unit heads, work together on the Strategy and Sustainability Committee to build the company's governance system for strategic and sustainable development, focusing on climate change, a circular economy, and managing environmental impact.
