Our contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
We support the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN). The use of information and communication technology (ICT) can positively influence 103 SDG sub-goals (out of a total of 169). This is the conclusion of various studies – such as the study “ICT-centric economic growth, innovation and job creation” by the International Telecommunication Union from 2017 or the SMARTer2030 study by GeSI (Global e-Sustainability Initiative) from 2019.
Our network infrastructure forms the technological basis: Our network creates connections and enables solutions to social or ecological challenges. It helps to achieve many SDGs. We see our greatest opportunities for influence in SDG 9: “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and support innovation.”
The following overview shows how we contribute to the implementation of the SDGs in detail. It also shows how we measure our contribution and also refers to specific examples in this CR report.
Sustainable Development Goal 8
Decent work and economic growth
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Our contribution
Our network and our products enable innovative business models. We are committed to sustainable growth, provide good working conditions for our current and future employees, and are continuously working to make our supply chain more sustainable.
Our commitment
- ESRS S1 – Own workforce
- ESRS S2 – Workers in the value chain
- Employees: promoting co-determination and strengthening employer attractiveness
- Human rights and supply chain: living responsibility
- Impact measurement: understanding and improving our contribution
Sustainable Development Goal 9
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and support innovation
Our contribution
Our claim is that all people can be there. To this end, we are investing billions in a stable and secure network infrastructure and increasing the share of innovative, sustainable products in the overall portfolio. In this way, we create the necessary basis for economic performance and social participation.
Our commitment
- ESRS S4 – Consumers and end users
- Digital inclusion: overcoming the divide
- Sustainable finance: decisions for the future
- Environmentally friendly products and services: an overview of the entire life cycle
- Investment
- Internet of Things
Sustainable Development Goal 3
Good health and well-being
Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all people of all ages
Our contribution
We promote people’s health both internally and externally with numerous measures for our employees: Through our e-health solutions, we contribute to improving medical care.
Our commitment
- ESRS S1 – Own workforce
- Employees: promoting co-determination and strengthening employer attractiveness
- Impact measurement: understanding and improving our contribution
- Employee development: promoting digital skills and showing future prospects
- Circular economy: holistic approach along the entire value chain
- Consumer protection: ensuring safety and transparency
- HR Factbook 2024
Sustainable Development Goal 4
Quality education
Ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Our contribution
We invest a lot in the training and development of our employees. We also promote the development of media and democracy literacy in society. The Deutsche Telekom Foundation supports numerous projects in the STEM field.
Our commitment
- Employee development: promoting digital skills and showing future prospects
- Digital inclusion: overcoming division
- Activities to promote the digital society
- Digital Values: promoting democracy on the internet
- Voluntary and financial commitment: commitment to the common good
- HR Factbook 2024
- Telekom Foundation
Sustainable Development Goal 5
Gender equality
Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls
Our contribution
We are specifically committed to the promotion of women in management positions. We support our employees with a wide range of offers, for example to help them achieve a better work-life balance. We are also committed to promoting women in STEM professions.
We explicitly require our suppliers to prohibit gender discrimination.
Our commitment
- ESRS 2 GOV-1 – The role of administrative, management, and supervisory bodies
- ESRS S1 – Own workforce
- Corporate culture and inclusion: Valuing diversity and respecting needs
- Activities to promote the digital society
- Human rights and supply chain: living responsibility
- HR Factbook 2024
Sustainable Development Goal 7
Affordable and clean energy
Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Our contribution
With our integrated climate strategy, we are fully committed to electricity from renewable energies. To this end, we are increasingly concluding long-term purchase agreements in order to give producers planning security for the expansion of renewable energy generation. In this way, we promote a sustainable energy industry. We reduce our energy consumption through energy-efficient technology.
Our commitment
- ESRS E1 – Climate Change
- ESRS E5 – Resource use and circular economy
- Climate protection: our path to achieving net zero by 2040
- Energy: optimising consumption and increasing efficiency
- Impact measurement: understanding and improving our contribution
Sustainable Development Goal 11
Sustainable cities and communities
Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Our contribution
With innovative solutions and our network infrastructure expansion, we are helping to shape the transformation of cities (smart cities) into intelligent urban spaces.
Our commitment
- Analysis of the sustainability benefits of our products continued
- Impact measurement: understanding and improving our contribution
- Operational resource conservation: environmentally conscious in everyday work
Sustainable Development Goal 12
Responsible consumption and production
Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns
Our contribution
We are continuously working to offer more sustainable product solutions and promote more sustainable production patterns in the supply chain. At the same time, we focus on avoiding waste and recycling valuable raw materials. In this way, we are working to reduce the amount of waste both for us and for our customers.
Our commitment
- ESRS E5 – Resource use and circular economy
- Analysis of the sustainability benefits of our products continued
- Human rights and supply chain: living responsibility
- Circular economy: holistic approach along the entire value chain
- Impact measurement: understanding and improving our contribution
- Environmentally friendly products and services: an overview of the entire life cycle
Sustainable Development Goal 13
Climate action
Take immediate action to combat climate change and its impacts
Our contribution
As part of our integrated climate strategy, we contribute to climate protection both with measures within our Group (energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies) and with our sustainable products and services.
Our commitment
- ESRS E1 – Climate change
- Climate protection: our path to achieving net zero by 2040
- Energy: optimising consumption and increasing efficiency
- Environmentally friendly products and services: an overview of the entire life cycle
- Operational resource conservation: environmentally conscious in everyday work
- Alignment with the TCFD recommendations
Sustainable Development Goal 15
Life on land
Protecting, restoring and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems
Our contribution
With our efficient ICT solutions in agriculture (smart farming), crop yields can be increased while fewer resources such as seeds, fertilizers and energy are needed. In addition, we carry out projects to protect biodiversity. We demand that our suppliers protect the environment and use resources responsibly.
Our commitment
- Impact measurement: understanding and improving our contribution
- Operational resource conservation: environmentally conscious in everyday work
- Working together for a more sustainable future: our employee initiatives for the environment and climate
- Smart Farming
Sustainable Development Goal 1
No poverty
End poverty in all its forms and everywhere
Our contribution
By expanding our networks, we create the conditions for economic and social participation and thus facilitate access to education, for example – an important prerequisite for combating poverty. We expect our suppliers to pay minimum wages in accordance with the ILO Convention. We have explicitly formulated this requirement in our Code of Conduct for Suppliers. In addition, we offer social and subsidised tariffs throughout the Group and enable eligible users to make free or discounted calls or surf the web.
Our commitment
- ESRS S4 – Consumers and end users
- ESRS S2 – Workers in the value chain
- Digital inclusion: overcoming the divide
- Human rights and supply chain: living responsibility
Sustainable Development Goal 2
Zero hunger
End hunger, achieve food security and better nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture
Our contribution
With efficient ICT solutions in agriculture (smart farming), crop yields can be increased while fewer resources such as seeds, water, fertilizers and energy are needed.
Our commitment
Sustainable Development Goal 6
Clean water and sanitation
Ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Our contribution
Efficient ICT solutions in agriculture (smart agriculture) can reduce water and fertilizer consumption. In addition, smart measuring systems can be used to precisely control and control water consumption.
Our commitment
Sustainable Development Goal 10
Reduced inequalities
Reducing inequality within and between countries
Our contribution
We are clearly committed to diversity and support our employees regardless of age, nationality and ethnic origin, gender and gender identity, physical and mental abilities, religion and ideology, sexual orientation or social background. We expect our suppliers to pay minimum wages in accordance with the ILO Convention. We have explicitly formulated this requirement in our Code of Conduct for Suppliers.
Our commitment
- ESRS S1 – Own workforce
- ESRS S2 – Workers in the value chain
- Corporate culture and inclusion: valuing diversity and respecting needs
- Human rights and supply chain: living responsibility
Sustainable Development Goal 14
Life below water
Conserving and sustainably using oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Our contribution
By using ICT, we contribute to saving water as a resource, and we also take measures to reduce our water consumption.
Our commitment
Sustainable Development Goal 16
Peace, justice and strong institutions
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Our contribution
We are clearly committed to ethical principles and applicable legal norms. We have anchored this in our Guiding Principles and the Code of Conduct. As a founding member of the UN Global Compact, we have been committed to implementing its ten principles for over 20 years. We also operate a comprehensive compliance management system. All activities are in accordance with the legal regulations and the Group Data Protection Policy. In addition, we make a significant contribution to security with our commitment and our products in the area of data protection.
Our commitment
- ESRS G1 – Governance
- ESRS S4 – Consumers and end users
- Cybersecurity and data protection: secure systems, protected privacy
- Compliance: acting lawfully and fairly
- “TellMe” whistleblower portal
- Transparency Report
Sustainable Development Goal 17
Partnerships for the goals
Strengthen the means of implementation and breathe new life into the global partnership for sustainable development
Our contribution
To achieve the sustainability goals, we cooperate with associations, institutions and companies at national and international level and also promote global cooperation within the Group in various committees.
Our commitment
- ESRS 2 – General disclosures
- Sustainable finance: decisions for the future
- Political advocacy
- Memberships and cooperations