MADRID — Telefónica, a leading telecommunications operator, has announced its pivotal role as a founding member of the European Green Digital Coalition (EGDC), unveiled during Digital Day 2021 in Porto, Portugal. This coalition, orchestrated by the European Commission in collaboration with prominent European ICT companies such as Deutsche Telecom, Ericsson, Nokia, Orange, Vodafone, Telefónica, Telenor, and Telia, is dedicated to catalyzing the EU’s green transition through digitalization. Telefónica’s CEO, José María Álvarez-Pallete, emphasized the company’s commitment to driving the EU’s green and digital transformation, stating that participation in the coalition presents a historic opportunity to combat climate change and foster innovation, according to a press release published on EuropaWire.

The EGDC aims to foster an innovative, sustainable, and resilient economy by harnessing digital solutions to address climate challenges. As part of its commitment, Telefónica pledges to achieve zero net emissions by 2025 in its primary markets and aims for climate neutrality across its entire value chain by 2040. Leveraging its extensive experience in green digitalization, Telefónica offers a suite of 90 Eco Smart services, including cloud, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), which have collectively prevented 9.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2020 alone. These initiatives underscore Telefónica’s longstanding dedication to sustainability and align with the principles of the Global Compact and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Telefónica’s contribution to the EGDC extends beyond its commitment to reducing carbon emissions. The company pledges to invest in the development and deployment of energy-efficient digital solutions, collaborate with stakeholders to establish standardized assessment methodologies, foster cross-sector dialogue, and aid in the formulation of deployment guidelines. With its efficient telecommunications networks powered by 100% renewable energy, Telefónica is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the EU’s green digital landscape and driving a sustainable future.

For over a decade, Telefónica has been at the forefront of sustainability, consistently ranked as a global leader in combating climate change by CDP, a nonprofit organization specializing in environmental impact assessment. As the telecommunications industry navigates the intersection of green and digital transformation, Telefónica’s membership in the EGDC reaffirms its commitment to pioneering environmentally responsible practices and contributing to a greener, more digitally-driven future.