Resource conservation begins in everyday work: where we use energy, occupy space and consume materials. Accordingly, since the 1990s, we have been looking not only at the environmental impact of our network operations and our product portfolio, but also at the operation of our offices, canteens and telecom shops – from heating and hot water systems to electricity and water consumption to paper, office supplies and food. Biodiversity also plays a role in this: we take it into account wherever it is relevant in connection with our business activities – in the immediate vicinity of our sites as well as along the upstream value chain.
Further information on the topics of recycling and waste reduction can be found here in the CR report under Circular economy, on the topic of energy consumption under Energy and on our climate targets under Climate protection.
Milestones achieved, ongoing projects and goals
We sent the first online invoice over 25 years ago to reduce our paper consumption. Since then, we have been continuously developing our approaches to operational resource conservation.
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Where we come from
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We introduced a management system in accordance with EN ISO 14001 to control environmental impacts.
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We introduced online invoices as an alternative to paper form.
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For the first time, we examined the impact of our business activities on biodiversity, including the upstream value chain.
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For the first time, we set up digitally networked beehives at some Telekom locations in Germany and created flowering meadows and insect hotels.
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We decided to only procure office paper with the environmental certification “Blue Angel”.
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We introduced the “RECUP” deposit cup nationwide in all fully operated canteens at Deutsche Telekom locations in Germany.
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We expanded the deposit system in German canteens to include reusable bowls (“REBOWL”).
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We achieved the Group-wide target of planting 100,000 trees.
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We again analyzed the impact of our operations on biodiversity, using the parameters of the ENCORE (Exploring Natural Capital Opportunities, Risks and Exposure) tool.
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We took on a nature sponsorship in the “Magenta Blossom” project in the Cologne/Bonn area and created flowering islands for bees, beetles and butterflies.
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We revised our environmental guidance and made adjustments with regard to the circular economy, biodiversity and building infrastructure, for example.
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We conducted a biodiversity assessment of the mobile communications industry together with the industry association GSMA.
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We introduced Ecosia as the Group’s default search engine across the Group, supporting Ecosia’s reforestation programs.
Where we stand in the reporting year
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In Germany, we will have installed 18 large heat pumps and 80 small heat pumps by the end of 2025.
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In the reporting year, we reduced greenhouse gas emissions from our operations (Scope 1 and 2) by more than 94 %. Remaining emissions were neutralized via high-quality CO2 sequestration projects. In this way, we made the Group greenhouse gas-neutral in terms of its own operations. Important levers for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our own operations were the modernization of our buildings and the optimization of space utilization.
Where we want to go
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we aim to reduce CO2e emissions by 55 % in absolute terms across Scopes 1–3 compared to 2020. According to our Climate Transition Plan, the modernization of buildings and space optimization are important levers for further reducing Scope 1 emissions.
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We want to achieve net-zero emissions along the entire value chain – across all three scopes. To achieve this, it is necessary to reduce emissions by at least 90 % compared to 2020. Only up to 10 % may be neutralized via high-quality projects that bind CO2e from the atmosphere.
Our approach
We pursue various concepts for improving resource efficiency in the workplace – we take into account the energy consumption and space utilization of our buildings as well as water and paper consumption. Like the topic of circular economy, operational resource conservation is also organized in accordance with our International Waste Management Framework (excluding T‑Mobile US). We also take biodiversity into account where it is relevant to our business operations – especially along the upstream value chain (more information below).
In 2025, we made 87 % of all customer invoices available electronically across the Group.
Building operation: energy and emissions at a glance
The operation of our own sites (including heating, cooling and power supply) requires energy and generates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Overall, we obtain more than 90 % of our total Group-wide energy requirements from renewable energies. We break down our energy consumption in detail in our audited Sustainability statement 2025.
Conventional energy sources such as natural gas are only used to a limited extent, for example for heating systems. In line with our climate transition plan, we are gradually converting our heating systems. Among other things, heat pumps are used: In Germany, a total of 18 large heat pumps and 80 small heat pumps were installed by the end of 2025. In combination with the purchase of electricity from renewable energies, for example from long-term supply contracts (PPAs), this can help to reduce CO2 emissions and lower operating costs.
HVO100 is used to a limited extent in Germany as a bridging technology to reduce the remaining fossil fuel content in existing heating systems. HVO100 is made from waste and residues and contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions compared to conventional heating oil. The use is limited to technically suitable oil heating systems; in 2025, 71 locations were converted accordingly. The share of HVO100 in the relevant heating oil consumption in Germany was 19.7 % in 2025.
In addition, we are driving forward intelligent building control. With the help of sensors, we collect data on temperature, humidity, occupancy and energy consumption in real time. On this basis and with the support of artificial intelligence (AI), we dynamically adapt the building technology. We have already tested the intelligent building control system at various locations in Bonn, Hanover, Mannheim and Athens. Savings of around 20 % CO2e were observed compared to the initial operation. In addition, we raise awareness among our employees about saving energy with campaigns.
Internationally, we implemented various operational measures to optimize energy in the reporting year, including adjustments to major sites and temporary night-time shutdowns of advertising pylons. Simulations showed that in many cases technical systems can be operated reliably even with reduced output.
We describe the measures we are implementing specifically in Germany for energy-efficient building use in the “Deep Dive” at the bottom of this page.
Certified Buildings
Deutsche Telekom uses around 10.6 million square meters of building space across the Group. In 2025, more than 583,000 square meters of these were certified according to the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) certification systems for sustainable building. Around 900,000 square meters met the criteria of a sustainable building standard, but did not go through the formal certification process.
Optimized use of space
Reducing vacancies through space reduction and better space utilization are also important levers for reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions. To this end, we forecast our future demand for office space and test new, more flexible room and office concepts. We reduce space that is no longer needed – for example, by subletting it out. With a total of around 10.6 million square meters, the total of our used space has again fallen slightly compared to the previous year (11 million square meters).
Land use
in m2
Land use 2025
in m2
Less paper consumption in offices and shops
We have reduced our paper consumption in recent years by consistently switching to digital processes. Wherever possible, documents such as invoices, flyers and customer communication are made available digitally throughout the Group – both in centrally controlled customer contact and directly in our shops. Internal processes such as sick notes or travel expense reports can also be handled paperless and digitally via an employee app.
We have also introduced print-on-demand systems, i.e., printing on demand and on demand. This has many advantages: Quick start guides are printed on an order-by-order basis and do not have to be pre-produced, transported and stored. Changes to information sheets for our customers can be implemented at short notice – and there are no large quantities of outdated documents that have to be destroyed.
Water consumption at a low level
As a service company, our water consumption is mainly incurred in office locations and is low overall. Water used to cool data centers, for example, is not considered water consumption in the narrower sense: it is used in the cooling process and then returned to the water cycle. These uses are subject to official approvals, in which possible effects on the affected waters are examined.
As part of our materiality analysis and the ENCORE (Exploring Natural Capital Opportunities, Risks and Exposure) analysis in 2023, no material dependencies on water resources (e.g., ground or surface water and water quality) were identified for our own operations. Our sites are generally not located in water-stress areas. Water is also not a key influencing factor along our supply chains. Against this background, water is not one of the main topics of our CRM management.
Nevertheless, our environmental policy includes reducing our water consumption. In the reporting year, Group-wide water consumption fell by 9.4 %.
Water consumption 2025
in m3
Conservation of biodiversity
One of the main causes of biodiversity loss and species extinction is the increasing use of land by industry, agriculture and transport. In 2022, we specified in a statement on the preservation of biodiversity and protection against deforestation how we intend to make our contribution to the preservation of biodiversity and forests.
In 2023, we last analyzed our impact on biodiversity and our dependence on ecosystem services. The basis for this was the parameters of the ENCORE tool. The application supports companies in better understanding and assessing natural capital risks. As part of the analysis, both potential positive and negative impacts of Deutsche Telekom’s business activities along the upstream and downstream value chain were considered. Among other things, aspects such as deforestation, species protection and the protection of oceans and other ecosystems were taken into account.
Our analysis showed that our business activities have an impact on biodiversity, especially in the upstream value chain. That is why we expect our suppliers to comply with our environmental principles, which we regularly check on site. In 2024, we also conducted a biodiversity study together with the industry association GSMA, which examined the impact of the mobile industry.
Biodiversity is currently not an immediately material issue for Deutsche Telekom’s own business operations. As a telecommunications company, we need little space compared to companies in many other industries. At the same time, we are aware that even comparatively low land use can influence local ecosystems. At suitable locations, we therefore implement measures such as the creation of flower strips or mini-forests. They are intended to help promote biodiversity in the immediate vicinity of our sites.
Our approaches to the circular economy are also closely linked to the topic of biodiversity. Circular solutions can help to relieve ecosystems – for example, by avoiding or reducing waste and pollutants. As part of our circular economy initiatives, we support projects aimed at reducing e-waste and protecting ecosystems, such as the “Pass back, Brother!” program of the Jane Goodall Institute in Hungary. In addition, our employees are involved in other initiatives to reduce environmental pollution, for example in Greece in cooperation with the environmental organization ENALEIA. We also offer a digital solution for monitoring beehives.
Looking ahead
In line with our climate transition plan, we aim to further reduce GHG emissions from our building operations over the next few years. In doing so, we continue to focus on the switch to heat pumps and the use of AI‑supported building control.
Deep Dive for Experts
Management & Frameworks
For the German-speaking region (DACH), the GSUS (Group Supply Services) department is responsible for the central management and implementation of measures in the building sector. In other countries, this is coordinated decentrally by the respective national teams.
Responsibility for the topic of biodiversity lies with the GCR (Group Corporate Responsibility) department. She monitors relevant developments, analyzes risks and opportunities, and develops the overarching strategy with which we want to promote the protection of biodiversity in line with the company’s goals.
Measures in building operation in Germany
In Germany, we are implementing the following measures in the areas of energy management, heating and hot water, electricity, and smarter buildings and innovations, among others:
Energy management
In order to identify anomalies in energy consumption, we compare similar buildings with each other. For this purpose, we use key figures such as “kilowatt hours per square meter”. In addition, we analyze the temporal course of energy absorption (the so-called load profile) of individual buildings in order to avoid load peaks and optimize energy use.
With the help of communication measures, we sensitize our employees to the conscious use of energy.
During construction and renovation work on the building envelope, we pay attention to energy efficiency, among other things through the combination of heat pumps and Smart Building Control.
Since 2025, a total of eleven Group companies, each with an annual energy consumption of more than 7.5 GWh, have been certified according to the international standard DIN EN ISO 50001. For associated companies with lower energy consumption (less than 7.5 GWh per year), we carry out energy audits in accordance with DIN EN 16247 every four years.
Heating and hot water
Energetic optimization of central heating systems (e.g., by replacing outdated burner technologies)
Renewal of heat generators and associated hydraulic components (such as pumps or valves)
Use of waste heat (e.g., through the use of heat recovery systems)
Use of combined heat and power (e.g., through combined heat and power plants or district heating)
Reduction of supply losses in hot water heating (e.g., by switching to decentralized systems)
Electricity
Use of LED lighting and motion detectors
Switching off light sources (e.g., advertising pylons) at night
More accurate regulation of room temperature in our grid infrastructure
Use of efficient building technology (e.g., high-efficiency pumps, frequency-controlled motors for ventilation systems)
Optimization of pre-programmed usage profiles (e.g., through absence profiles)
Use of efficient building automation systems
Smarter Buildings and Innovations
Use of sensors to actively adjust indoor temperatures in buildings in real time
Use of so-called predictive maintenance for the maintenance and troubleshooting of elevators
Predictive, weather-dependent control of the building technology
Thermal and fluid dynamics building simulation to improve structural design and building technology efficiency
Use of sensors to collect land use data; on the basis of this data, we optimize the energy consumption and profitability of our shops across the board