OTE Group is committed to a zero carbon footprint to combat Climate Change. In particular, it contributes to climate change targets - at Deutsche Telekom Group level - which were certified in 2019 by the Science Based Targets Initiative and are compatible with the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, which are required in order to achieve the limitation of global warming by 1.5oC.
The goals were updated in 2021 and became more ambitious as follows:
- Zero carbon footprint from energy consumption in its facilities by 2025.
Includes emissions from natural gas, diesel and petrol consumption as well as emissions from electricity consumption.
- Zero carbon footprint by 2040. Includes emissions throughout the Group's value chain, from the production of products and fixed equipment to its operation and finally the use of products by customers.
- 100% use of renewable energy sources for electricity consumption from 2021 onwards.
In order for OTE Group to achieve its zero carbon footprint, it focuses, among other things, on:
- use of renewable energy sources,
- actions to save energy throughout the range of its activities,
- use of ICT products and services with a small environmental footprint.
Regarding the use of renewable energy sources, OTE Group has already achieved 100% electricity consumption coverage since 2020.
The management of energy consumption, -especially in the telecommunications network and equipment- is a big challenge, not only for the next year but also in the long term and for this reason the OTE Group has set priorities for the improvement of energy efficiency concerning:
- In the telecommunications network, with the aim of transitioning to an energy-efficient network.
Measures to increase energy efficiency in telecommunications networks include, among others, the deactivation and uninstallation of telecommunications equipment that is not used in the fixed line network, the optimization of the operating temperature of air conditioning units, the replacement of equipment with new more efficient ones, the deactivation of levels capacity during periods of low traffic. Emphasis is also placed on electric generators, especially those that cover the needs of autonomous base stations (24-hour operation). Their connection to the electrical grid or their conversion to hybrid mode using RES is considered, while an annual maintenance program is implemented.
- In buildings, data centers and stores, with an emphasis on the rational use and efficient operation of the installed equipment.
There are initiatives to improve the efficiency of data centers. Included are measures aimed at the efficient operation of IT equipment (system integration, virtualization, rack orientation, etc.) but also the infrastructures (UPS, heating, air conditioning, ventilation systems, cabling, etc.) that are necessary for its operation. In 2021, average data center performance (as reflected in Power Usage Efficiency, PUE) improved by 7.7% compared to 2017. Efforts in this direction are ongoing, as this will offset the ever-increasing use of networks.
As far as buildings are concerned, emphasis is placed on the environmentally certified radical renovation of buildings important to the Group's operation. So far, 3 buildings have already received LEED GOLD level certification.
- In road transport, with an emphasis on the renewal of the vehicle fleet, including external charging hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) as well as pure electric (BEV) vehicles and also on the control of movements.
The aim is to achieve, taking into account the maturity of the market and technology, an ecological fleet of vehicles, with the possibility of charging the batteries of the vehicles on a daily basis. In this context, it is planned to replace more than 300 company vehicles with models of PHEV technology. By the end of 2021, 123 PHEV vehicles have already been integrated into the fleet. At the same time, a charging network is being developed at the facilities of the OTE Group, so that all vehicles can be charged, while provision is made for additional parking spaces for vehicle charging for visitors to the Group's facilities.
