Sustainable Development Goals: Impact & SDGs

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the most ambitious programme in history to address the major social and environmental challenges facing humanity.

The Internet and digital solutions are key to achieving more than half the SDG targets. At Telefónica we are taking up the baton and committing ourselves to the 2030 Agenda:

Build a greener future: taking advantage of the power of digitalisation to curb climate change.
Help society thrive: promoting economic and social progress based on digitalisation, leaving no one behind.
Lead by example: maintaining strict levels of governance oversight in order to build trust.

Measuring the impact

At Telefónica we identify where and how we contribute more significantly to the Sustainable Development Goals.

We also measure our social and environmental impact annually using a methodology based on Harvard University’s Impact Weighted Account Initiative (IWAI) and KPMG’s True Value.

We integrate the results into our management and decision-making to continue improving.

We are currently working on the Impact Measurement report 2022.

Impact of Telefónica in 2021

Sustainable finance helps us support the SDGs with projects with social and environmental impact.

HELPING SOCIETY TO THRIVE

INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Provide faster and higher quality Internet access to individuals and businesses and power innovation.

GOAL 9.1

Develop quality infrastructure to support economic and social development.

R&D&I investment: 4,426 million euros
Prepaid customers: 129.6 million
Contribution to Universal Service: 169 billion euros

GOAL 9.5

Enhance scientific research by promoting innovation.

Investment in R&D: 835 billion euros
Intellectual property rights: 421

GOAL 9.C

Increase access to ICT and strive to provide Internet for all.

People connected thanks to the Internet Para Todos (Internet For All) project: 1.8 million people
4G/LTE Mobile coverage : 87%
UBB – Ultra Broad-band (building units wired): 68.8 million

DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

Promote the digitalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises and generate wealth in the markets where we operate.

GOAL 8.1

Promote and contribute to the economic growth of the countries in which we operate.

Impact on GDP: 48,904 billion euros
Tax contribution: 9,134 billion euros

GOAL 8.3

Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.

% purchases from local suppliers: 81%
Investment in startups through third parties: 1.9 billion euros
Startups invested by Wayra: +770

GOAL 8.5

Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Total number of employees: 103,934
Indirect employment generated: 656,662
Employees with disabilities: 1,347

GOAL 8.6

Substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.

People trained in employability: 996,875

GOAL 8.8

Protect labour rights and promote a safe and secure working environment for all workers.

Provider audits: 17,960
Providers with improvement plans: 610

QUALITY EDUCATION

Contribute to the empowerment of people to face the challenges and opportunities provided by digital transformation.

GOAL 4.1

Ensure that all children complete primary and secondary education.

No. of children benefiting from ProFuturo programmes: 19.7 million people
No. of countries where the ProFuturo programme operates: 40

GOAL 4.4

Increase the number of people with skills to access employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

Beneficiaries of the digital skills training programme: 782,948
Hours of internal employee training: 39

GOAL 4.C

Increase the supply of qualified teachers.

No. of teachers in the ProFuturo programme: 914,000

IMPACT

Our greatest contribution to society comes from our deployment of telecommunications infrastructure, and our ability to connect more people every day, with a special focus on rural areas. Our impact on development through job creation and digital skills also stands out.

This first pillar is structured into three sub-categories and encompasses the economic and social contribution derived from investments in activities linked to the company’s core business.

Economic Development
- – Tax revenues
- – Regional development through job creation
Innovation and entrepreneurship
- – Investment in R&D: internal innovation
- – Investment and impacts generated through Open Innovation and entrepreneurship centres
Digital inclusion and social contribution of products and services
- – Digitalisation and deployment in rural areas
- – Affordability of services
- – Digital skills
- – Training and talent management

More information

BUILDING A GREENER FUTURE

AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

Using 100% renewable energy in all our operations.

GOAL 7.2

Increase the percentage of renewable energy.

Renewable electricity consumption (own facilities) 79,4%
Consumption is 100% renewable in Europe, Brazil and Peru
Renewable electricity consumption: 4,918,373 MWh

GOAL 7.3

Double the global rafe of improvement in energy efficiency.

Emissions prevented by renewable energy consumption (tCO2e): 902,019
Emissions prevented by energy management (tCO2e): 68,833

SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

Become a leading provider of solutions that help our customers reduce their CO₂ emissions.

GOAL 11.6

Reduce the negative environmental impact of cities.

Emissions avoided through Eco Smart services (million tCO2): 8,684

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

Encourage the circular economy in the use of electronic devices through eco-design, re-use and recycling.

GOAL 12.2

Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

Electricity consumption + Self-generation (MWh): 6,548,152
Total energy consumption (MWh): 6,106,625
Waste generation (tonnes): 64,065

GOAL 12.5

Reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

Waste recycling (%): 98%

GOAL 12.6

Adopt sustainable practices.

Responsible Design Process: Integrated in Telefónica Spain

CLIMATE ACTION

Implement the most efficient telecommunications network and reduce our CO₂ emissions.

GOAL 13.2

Integrate climate change measures into policies, strategies and planning.

Direct emissions (Scope 1) (tCO2): 183,231
Indirect emissions (based on market method) (Scope 2) (tCO2): 353,506
Other indirect emissions (Scope 3) (tCO2): 2,072,159

IMPACT

Digitalisation is a key tool for tackling climate change. For this reason, we work on designing innovative and efficient processes and solutions that reduce our environmental impact and that of our partners and customers, through the products and services we offer.

This second pillar includes both the negative environmental impacts generated by our business activity and the positive contribution that we have via our digital services to the decarbonisation of the economy and the protection of natural ecosystems.

Natural resources
- – Waste management
- – Water consumption
- – Biodiversity
Emissions
Digital services for a green transition

More information

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

DIVERSITY

Be a leading inclusive company to drive equality and equity.

GOAL 5.1

End all forms of discrimination.

Gender adjusted wage gap/ gross: 1,2%/21,8%

GOAL 5.2

Eliminate all forms of violence and other forms of exploitation.

Cases of discrimination detected / measures taken: 0

GOAL 5.5

Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels.

Women on the Board of Directors: 33%
Women in management positions: 29.5%
Women in the workforce: 38%

GOAL 5.b

Programmess to foster STEM careers: 52

PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS

Build digital trust, safeguarding the security of our customers’ data and their privacy.

GOAL 16.5

Reduce corruption and bribery in all its forms.

Employees who have completed the Responsible Business course: 85%

GOAL 16.10

Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms.

Privacy of information: SASB TC-TL-2020a
Information security: SASB TC-TL-230a

GOAL 16.a

Strengthen international cooperation.

Corporate volunteering (people): 59,054

PARTNERSHIPS

Promote collaboration to innovate and increase access to technology and ICTs.

GOAL 17.6

Increase the number of fixed broadband Internet subscribers in all the regions in which we operate.

Number of fixed broadband subscribers: 25.8 million

GOAL 17.8

Promote collaboration to innovate and increase access to and use of technology and digitalisation.

Penetration of LTE service in the customer base: 90%

IMPACT

People-centred digitalisation needs to focus on strengthening trust and to be based on values and a responsible and safe use of technology. At Telefónica, we are committed to promoting equality and inclusion, protecting the security and privacy of our customers’ information, and fostering collaboration and partnerships with other organisations, companies and associations in order to promote sustainable development.

This pillar focuses on impacts within the company’s internal organization (e.g. employees, processes to ensure security and privacy etc). It also additional social value is added through the great work carried out by the Telefónica Foundation through its corporate volunteer and culture promotion programs.

Inclusion, diversity and security of our professionals
- – Diversity -Pay gap
- – Quality of wages
- – Health and safety of professionals
Contribution to associations and institutions promoting sustainable development
- – Cultural programmes
- – Volunteer programmes
Privacy and Security
- – Security services
- – Cyber risks