Telefónica has approved its Global Sustainability Plan 2026–2030 as a tool to support growth, improve operational efficiency, strengthen risk management and generate value for society. The Plan is integrated into the business to enable the company to drive the telecommunications sector forward in the new global market.
The new roadmap forms part of the Transform & Grow strategic plan, presented in November and designed to drive Telefónica’s transformation and growth. Against a backdrop characterised by international competition, digital sovereignty and the transformation of the telecommunications sector, the company is integrating sustainability as a factor that reinforces its capacity for development and resilience.
The new Plan is based on the premise that sustainability is not merely a matter of regulation and reporting, but a tool that drives competitiveness in an environment defined by technological change, the energy transition and geopolitical uncertainty. To this end, it incorporates business-related impact targets and KPIs, highlighting sustainability’s capacity to generate value through ambitious and effective management.
“Sustainability is a source of growth, efficiency, resilience and trust when you truly integrate it into the business. With this ambitious and rigorous Plan, we are strengthening our competitiveness, creating value for customers, shareholders and society,” emphasises Maya Ormazabal, Global Chief Sustainability Officer at Telefónica, adding that “in this plan, Telefónica is raising its climate ambition with specific targets that reinforce its commitment to renewables, energy efficiency and the circular economy. The company aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040”.
Four business objectives
The Sustainability Plan is structured around four corporate goals that are aligned with the Group’s objective of implementing rigorous and effective management to drive growth, increase efficiency, mitigate risks and strengthen access to sustainable investment.
To this end, it incorporates impact indicators into the company’s management processes and is implemented across the Group’s various business areas and operations. It thus serves as a foundation both for business management and for meeting regulatory requirements relating to ESG, as well as the expectations of investors and analysts regarding sustainable finance.
Sustainability, or ESG, will help to strengthen commercial opportunities through products and services, such as Telefónica’s Eco Smart, which help residential customers and businesses to make progress in their environmental initiatives, specifically in their decarbonisation efforts.
Climate commitment: a more efficient and resilient company
Under the environmental pillar, Telefónica, as part of its commitment to society, is raising its climate ambition with specific targets that reinforce its commitment to renewables, energy efficiency and the circular economy. The company aims to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90 per cent, and its Scope 3 emissions by 56 per cent by 2030, with a view to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040, including across the value chain.
Furthermore, the circularity of assets, together with efficient energy management, also contributes to Europe’s technological sovereignty, which is driving a model that combines technological innovation with high standards of sustainability.
Telefónica aims to achieve zero waste by 2030 through the reuse and refurbishment of equipment, extending the useful life of technological equipment and optimising the use of critical materials.
The environmental strategy also includes measures to adapt to climate change by strengthening the resilience of infrastructure and promoting long-term renewable energy supply agreements, thereby helping to reduce operational risks and reinforce the company’s energy security.
Social: responsible digitalisation and inclusive talent
In the Plan, Telefónica is committed to developing technological solutions that will enable it to offer a better customer experience, helping customers to make progress in their decarbonisation processes through Eco Smart solutions, designed for businesses and public authorities.
The company will also strengthen its initiatives aimed at promoting inclusive digitalisation, improving connectivity in rural areas, and responsible digitalisation, with a particular focus on the protection of children, accessibility and people’s digital wellbeing.
The Plan also recognises the development, attraction and retention of talent as key factors in building an organisation ready for the challenges of the future. It will do so by fostering inclusive working environments and promoting training in strategic skills to lead the sector’s technological transformation.
Furthermore, the company will promote sustainability in its own television productions and, more generally, will work to maximise its brand value through trust, transparency and a distinctive positioning on sustainability.
Governance to build trust
The third pillar of the plan reinforces sound, ethical and transparent governance, integrating ESG criteria into decision-making, the supply chain and capital allocation.
It also promotes a governance model for Artificial Intelligence (AI), alongside a comprehensive privacy framework and holistic security management. All of this helps to minimise risks, capitalise on business opportunities and position the company as a leading player in reliable digital infrastructure and services.
Telefónica will continue to strengthen its rigorous management policies and processes, improve the oversight and traceability of its supply chain, and maintain its commitment to sustainable financing.
A roadmap integrated into the corporate strategy
The 2026–2030 Sustainability Plan has been developed in collaboration with the Group’s main corporate divisions and operating companies. Its implementation will be overseen by the Sustainability and Regulation Committee, whilst its key indicators will be incorporated into the Executive Committee’s strategic management and monitoring mechanisms.
