Singtel details environmental strategy and programmes at first sustainability forum

• Brings forward its net-zero target from 2050 to 2045
• Expanded program includes transitioning to renewable energy, electrifying its Singapore vehicle fleet, and reducing packaging and materials.                                                     

Singtel has announced 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. This was unveiled at its inaugural Singtel LEAD thought leadership forum held at Marina Bay Sands on March 27 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.

The strategy involves four thrusts – referred to as 4D – which covers environmental initiatives across assets, operations, waste and supply chain. With this, Singtel aims to:

·   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.

Yuen Kuan Moon (pic), Singtel’s group CEO, 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.”

Singtel says that it has invested US$112 million (RM529 million) in mitigating its environmental impact since 2015. Under this new strategy, Singtel aims to accelerate its fleet conversion to cover more than 150 vehicles in Singapore to electric models by 2028 after a successful trial involving 21 electric vehicles in 2022.

It 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.

Other initiatives include a carbon footprint dashboard for enterprise customers and reduced packaging for its products.                                                           

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.                                    

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.