Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, the member states of the United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We want to make concrete contributions to achieving these goals along our entire value chain. We have set ourselves ambitious climate goals, among other targets. We achieved our goal of making the Deutsche Telekom network a green network by the end of 2021. By the end of 2025, we aim to reach climate neutrality across the Company, and by 2040 at the latest, we intend to no longer leave any carbon footprint at all. The importance of our climate goals to us is also demonstrated by our performance management and incentive system using variable remuneration for members of the Board of Management of Deutsche Telekom AG, introduced in 2021 (SDG 13). But as a shaper of digitalization, we also believe we have a responsibility to support people in successfully navigating the internet and living together in accordance with democratic rules. That is why we not only provide technical access and data privacy and security (SDG 9), but also promote media literacy (SDG 4). We continued our #TAKEPART – No Hate Speech campaign in 2021, and expanded it to include the priority focus Gaming – Where the Fun Ends (SDG 16).
For further information, please refer to the section “Corporate responsibility and non-financial statement.”
Our contributions to achieving the SDGs have also had a positive effect on our own Company. In order to highlight these contributions, we have divided them into five areas: Finance, Structure, Relationships, Employees, and Environment.
Deutsche Telekom’s value contributions
As a responsible employer, we greatly value employee participation and a working environment that is fair and respectful; we encourage diversity and support our employees on their journey toward the digital working world. In this way, we contribute towards achieving SDGs 5 (Gender equality), 8 (Decent work and economic growth), and 10 (Reduced inequalities) – and this also has a positive impact on cooperation within our Company (Employees). By building out our broadband network, we are making an active contribution to creating high-quality infrastructure, promoting innovation (SDG 9), and strengthening our infrastructure (Structure). And by consistently improving energy efficiency as we expand our network and by sourcing 100 % of our electricity from renewable energies, we contribute towards SDG 13 and make our own business activities more environmentally friendly (Environment). Our growing range of sustainable products and solutions increases this effect and enables our customers to reduce CO2 emissions and conserve other resources (SDGs 12, 14, 15). Our smart cities solutions also promote a sustainable way of life (SDG 11). At the same time, these offerings enable us to generate revenue (Finance). Our commitment to an internet free of hate and to more civil courage online contributes to a peaceful, inclusive society based on the rule of law (SDG 16) and is associated with new cooperation relationships (SDG 17) for us (Relationships).
To clearly highlight the contribution our products, services, and activities make towards the individual sustainability development goals and our value chain, we have marked the relevant passages of the following pages with the respective SDG and value contribution symbols.