Singtel details environmental strategy and programmes at first sustainability forum

Singapore, 27 March 2024 – Singtel today unveiled its environmental sustainability strategy, newly aligned with its evolved environmental ambitions and refreshed set of Science Based Targets initiative-validated (SBTi) targets and net-zero target of 2045. The strategy is supported by new and expanded environmental programmes including transitioning to renewable energy, electrifying its Singapore vehicle fleet, and reducing packaging and materials by offering electronic SIM cards (e-SIMs) to more customer segments.

This was announced at Singtel’s inaugural Singtel LEAD thought leadership forum held at Marina Bay Sands where Singtel engaged more than 400 customers, vendors and investors on climate best practices such as setting and validating SBTi targets, transforming organisational culture to embrace sustainability, enabling sustainable financing and engaging supply chains.

Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, Singtel’s Group Chief Executive Officer, who delivered the forum’s keynote address, said, “There is no time to waste if we want to avoid the worst effects of the climate crisis. This is why we’re pushing ourselves to go further and faster, with more aggressive SBTi climate commitments and bringing forward our net-zero target from 2050 to 2045. Our teams are fully engaged in pursuing these ambitious objectives through a comprehensive environmental strategy, supported by progressive programmes. We hope that our efforts inspire and rally our customers, people and partners, to join us in our collective pursuit to leave a better planet behind for generations to come.”

Mr Amandeep Bedi, Managing Director, ENGIE Impact, said, “Singtel’s resolute commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045 is admirable and serves as a guiding light for other organisations in the region to not only to set aggressive targets, but also put in place an action plan to achieve it. The transition to renewable electricity and initiatives to tackle scope 3 emissions are some of the crucial steps towards achieving these targets. These initiatives have the added benefit of creating impetus within the value chain to drive large scale decarbonisation within the telecommunications sector.”

Singtel is the only Asian telco with a net-zero target ahead of 2050. It is also the only Asian telco to renew its Science Based Targets initiative-validated (SBTi) targets, aiming to cut its Scope 1 and 2 direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions group-wide by 55%, and Scope 3 third-party emissions by 40%, by 2030, using 2023 as the base year.

4D strategy to achieve net-zero

Singtel’s environmental strategy has four thrusts:  

• Defend its infrastructure assets from climate-related risks through enhanced design and resiliency, including certifying all new buildings to Green Mark Platinum and raising the height of its base stations to reduce risks from floods;
• Decarbonise its operations through electrification; technology refresh with more efficient alternatives; transitioning to renewable energy and low-carbon or carbon-free alternatives;
• Dematerialise unnecessary waste by reducing packaging, materials and strengthening its take-back, recycling and disposal efforts;
• Deliver sustainable value by influencing its supply chain to take climate action, providing its customers with greener options and supporting public education efforts and community initiatives.

New and expanded environmental initiatives

Since 2015, Singtel has invested S$150 million to mitigate its environmental impact. In support of its 4D strategy, Singtel has accelerated its environmental programmes and launched new initiatives including:

• Transitioning to renewable energy: As at end-2023, Singtel has maximised the deployment of solar photovoltaic panels across its facilities in Singapore, allowing it to generate more than 2,100 MWh annually. Singtel has also secured about 700,000 MWh of renewable-backed energy from 2025 to 2029, sufficient for about 20% of its operational energy needs across its Singapore and Australian operations. It is working to grow the proportion of its energy usage across Singapore and Australia backed by renewable energy to 50% by 2030.
• Electrifying its vehicle fleet: Following a successful trial involving 21 electric vehicles in 2022, Singtel will convert its fleet of more than 150 vehicles in Singapore to electric models by 2028. This will enable it to cut its scope 1 emissions by 450 tonnes annually.
• Empowering its customers: Singtel recently completed and is currently validating the results of Singapore’s first comprehensive study on 5G mobile and broadband carbon emissions, to help its customers better understand their environmental footprint. It will also be introducing a dashboard that will provide its enterprise customers information on their carbon footprint.
• Reducing unnecessary packaging: Singtel was the first telco in Singapore to introduce half-sized SIM cards in 2021. It has since introduced e-SIM on GOMO and tourist prepaid services and is planning on rolling this out to other mobile segments. It will also no longer give out complimentary bags at its shops, and work with its partners to further cut back on packaging materials.

For more information on Singtel’s sustainability initiatives, please see: https://www.singtel.com/about-us/sustainability.