When it comes to building an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future, everyone can contribute on an individual and collective level to ensure that we make a positive impact on this world. At Orange, we understand that the telecommunications industry has an important role to play. The rise of new technologies and the multiplication of digital uses coupled with an increase in data consumption and growing demand for global connectivity, even more so during the pandemic, can have a considerable impact on society and on our planet: carbon emissions, digital exclusion, personal data misuse, etc.
Our 5 CSR commitments
As a global telecom operator, Orange builds its strategy on the principles of sustainable growth to mitigate the risks related to its activities and to increase new opportunities for innovation. And because we believe that together we are stronger, we want to ensure that the entire value chain from suppliers to consumers adopts more responsible practices.
Our Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) policy is founded on 5 commitments that promote positive social, economic and environmental responsibility through digital technology.
#1 Respecting fundamental freedoms and human rights
Orange Group signed the United Nations Global Compact in July 2000 to ensure all our business activities respect human rights, especially when it comes to our employees, suppliers and subcontractors. And as a digital enabler, we understand the importance of the freedom of expression, data collection and privacy.
#2 Promoting digital inclusion and socio-economic development
It is important for us that no one is left behind in the digital transformation because of their age, disability or socio-economic situation. To help the local communities where we operate to onboard new technologies and adopt digital uses, we put in place numerous programmes and initiatives through the Orange Foundation, invest in the extension of submarine cables and deploy Orange Digital Centres in Africa and the Middle East, to name but a few examples.
#3 Helping to drive the environmental and energy transition
At Orange, we are actively engaged in tackling environmental issues and reducing our direct and embodied carbon footprint by taking action and raising awareness.
Since 2014, we have partnered with CREA Mont-Blanc Observatory to share our expertise, monitor environmental changes and collect data. Our subsidiary Orange Marine has partnered with Euro-Agro to collaborate on a global ocean climate observation programme.
We set an ambitious goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040. At first, the group will reduce its CO2 emissions by 30% from 2015 to 2025 and will implement 50% use of renewable energies by 2025. We are also working on making our networks more energy efficient by optimizing our technical deployments, increasing the eco-efficiency of our data centres and reducing the energy consumed by our routers.
Our buildings and transportation account for 20% of our emissions. To minimize this impact, we have been deploying a hybrid and electric car-sharing fleet and opting for videoconferencing when possible to avoid travel.
#4 Offering responsible products and services
Our goal is to create products and services that matter. From the creation stage to the very end, we build offers that protect your data and integrate the principles of the circular economy. To encourage more responsible consumption, we guide our customers to help them adopt environmentally friendly habits.
And so that everyone can benefit from the digital revolution, Orange creates products and services accessible to low-income families and people with disabilities.
#5 Encouraging employability and workplace well-being
We believe that making our workplaces more diverse has a positive impact on our activities. As an employer, Orange invests in developing the skills of its employees and promotes new ways of working, collaborating and encourages agility.
In 2019, Orange signed a global agreement on workplace gender equality with UNI Global Union.
Source: “Making sustainable development a priority” published on orange.com