e& Pledges to Achieve Net Zero Operation by 2030
e& (formerly known as the Etisalat Group) declared its net zero targets by 2030 during the Group's participation in the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27), which is currently taking place in Egypt, to reduce carbon emissions across its operations and accelerate its efforts to contribute to global climate action.
The global technology and investment conglomerate has pledged its commitment to achieving net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions within its Group's operations in the UAE by 2030, focusing on key initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint, including improving energy efficiency and sourcing renewable energy.
e&'s climate action plan will be in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a collaboration between the Carbon Disclosure Project, the United Nations Global Compact, and the World Resources Institute to set an emissions reduction trajectory for all Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sub-sectors between 2020 and 2030.
e&'s programme will lay out a clear roadmap to net zero carbon emissions for the company to advance its sustainability initiatives with a positive human impact on future plans and operations.
Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said:
“The UAE is taking massive action alongside its partners to address the global challenges related to climate change, leading the energy transition by reducing the carbon impact of hydrocarbon emissions. We promise to be the first country in the MENA region to reach net zero emissions by 2050. We will do this because we know that using sustainable and clean technologies and investing in renewable energy projects in developing countries will help us do more for the future of humanity. We are pleased to see a global organisation such as e& paving the way for private sector entities around the world to show more commitment and support a real-time transition towards a low-carbon society.”
The UAE is now ranked first in terms of Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) penetration, a position it has held since 2016. By carefully investing in sustainable and creative solutions, e& continually manages its environmental impact and works to safeguard natural resources.
e& has strategically invested in fibre optic infrastructure over the last decade, which has technological and environmental advantages over traditional networks.
To generate a positive environmental impact, the Group's present operations focus on best practices for reducing energy usage, minimising waste, and producing sustainable architecture.
Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO, e&, said:
“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Our sustainability goals and plans are in line with the UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). We are also committed to the GSMA's initiative to get the entire mobile industry to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“The importance of addressing the critical challenges related to climate change has become a priority for e&. We are working closely with our partners and stakeholders to create solutions that turn ideas into action. Through our commitment to enabling a low-carbon society, we will ramp up our efforts to address pressing issues such as climate action, and environmental conservation, as well as the provision of safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly products and services that help mitigate climate change.”
To achieve net zero, e& is committed to accelerating the de-carbonisation of activities while focusing on mobile network modernisation through the deployment of the latest generation of energy-efficient radio equipment (both hardware and software), increased use of renewable energy sources, and carbon offsetting initiatives.
Dowidar added: "e& has successfully built an ecosystem in which we operate, communicate, and deliver our services to stakeholders and customers, which has helped us to be a key player in exploring clean and green solutions and has enabled us to keep the ESG agenda at the heart of our business model."
Etisalat Group's brand identity has been changed to e&, with effect from February 23, 2022. Its strategy seeks to accelerate growth by building a resilient business model that represents the Group's core business pillars.
The telecoms business is currently led by etisalat by e& in its home market and by e& international in its overseas markets, preserving the Group's rich telecoms legacy, strengthening the Group's strong telecoms network, and optimising value for the Group's numerous client segments.
Increasing digital services for individual clients to enhance their digital-first lifestyle, e& life provides next-generation innovations in entertainment, retail, and financial technology via smart platforms.
e& enterprise focuses on offering unique digital vertical value propositions in cybersecurity, cloud, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), as well as deploying mega projects, to maximise the digital potential of governments, large-scale enterprises, and corporates. e& capital enables the Group to concentrate its efforts on generating new investments, increasing shareholder value, and developing its worldwide position.
Source: e&
