This is how we make a climate contribution with every subscription.

The facts

This is how we make a climate contribution with every subscription.

To work, subscriptions require a network (mobile and fixed network) and devices (Internet-Boxes, TV-Boxes, WLAN-Boxes and smartphones).

CO₂ reductions in the Swisscom network: Swisscom has been operating its entire network with 100% renewable energy for over 10 years and generates some of the electricity it consumes itself thanks to its more than 100 photovoltaic plants. By continuously modernising the technology and increasing energy efficiency, we have also been able to reduce the CO₂ emissions from our operations by over 89% since 1990. All these measures result in fewer CO₂ emissions.

Reduction of CO₂ from devices: We reduce the CO₂ emissions from Swisscom’s own products, such as Internet-Boxes and TV-Boxes, through improved product design, more efficient manufacturing and supplier programmes. We are improving the use of materials and energy consumption and optimising packaging. We do not produce smartphones ourselves. In cooperation with other telecommunications companies, we are calling for gradual reductions in the environmental impact of these products in the supply chain.

As an additional contribution to climate protection, we have set ourselves the goal of investing outside of our value chain. In doing so, we are taking responsibility for our direct, currently unavoidable residual emissions. This approach allows us to promote technologies that will help all companies achieve their net-zero targets in the long term. The investments are complementary to our direct CO₂ reduction measures.

Verification (climate report chapter 11)(opens in new tab)
Impact of climate protection projects beyond climate protection (swisscom.ch)(opens in new tab)
Residential Mobile subscriptions
Residential Internet & TV subscriptions
SME subscriptions
Our goal for climate protection outside our value chain
Go to climate protection projects

This is how we save CO₂ and invest in climate protection projects.

The facts

This is how we save CO₂ and invest in climate protection projects.

By modernising and increasing energy efficiency, we have reduced our direct CO₂ emissions by more than 89% since 1990 – for example by reducing our consumption of combustibles and fuels, and also by purchasing electricity from 100% renewable energy sources. To prioritise measures for reducing supply chain emissions, we also cooperate with other telecommunications companies and suppliers.

We invest in recognised climate protection projects to offset our remaining operational and supply chain emissions. These either prevent CO₂ emissions from being released elsewhere, or remove them from the atmosphere.

Go to climate protection projects

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How Swisscom is reducing CO₂ emissions

This is how the network works with 100% renewable energy.

The facts

This is how the network works with 100% renewable energy.

Antennas, servers, data centres: our network needs electricity. With over 90%, electricity accounts for the largest share of our total energy consumption. We have been using 100% renewable energy since 2010. With over 100 installations, we generate some of our electricity ourselves – mainly from domestic hydro power and solar energy.

(opens in new tab)More on energy efficiency(opens in new tab)

Here’s how you can make your own climate contribution

Give appliances a second life – by reusing or recycling them, you can make an important contribution to the conservation of valuable resources and to climate protection.

Make your own climate contribution

Buyback

Sell us your old smartphone for refurbishment and receive the proceeds.

Sell us your old smartphone

Mobile Aid

Donate your old mobile phone. The proceeds from the resale or recycling go to SOS Children’s Villages.

Donate your old mobile

Refreshed

Buy a second-hand, refurbished smartphone.

Second-hand smartphones

Repair

Bring your broken mobile phone to the Swisscom Shop.

Get your mobile fixed

Return

Simply return Swisscom Internet and TV boxes that you no longer need to us free of charge.

More about returning devices

Here’s how you can make your own climate contribution

Give appliances a second life – by reusing or recycling them, you can make an important contribution to the conservation of valuable resources and to climate protection.

Make your own climate contribution

Buyback

Sell us your old smartphone for refurbishment and receive the proceeds.

Sell us your old smartphone

Further measures for the climate

Climate contributions in our Shops.

The facts

Climate contributions in our Shops.

All Swisscom Shops are easily accessible on foot, by bike or by public transport. We have consistently reduced our paper and energy consumption. For example, we send digital receipts instead of printing them out.

Shops

SME Center

Read now

Weniger Abfall dank digitalem Kassenbon(opens in new tab)

Climate contribution in service operations.

The facts

Climate contribution in service operations.

With 2400 vehicles, our vehicle fleet is one of the largest in Switzerland, but it is not yet fully electric. Mobility is one of the key drivers of our direct CO2 emissions. To ensure our customer field service journeys are sustainable, we have set the target of halving our vehicle fleet’s direct CO2 emissions by 2025 and eliminating them completely by 2030. We also make a voluntary climate contribution by investing in climate protection projects. We now provide the vast majority of our services digitally, without the need to travel to customers.

To the video with our CEO Christoph Aeschlimann

More about the vehicle fleet(opens in new tab)

This is how energy-efficient our data centres are.

The facts

This is how energy-efficient our data centres are.

Our data centres have been powered by 100% renewable energy since 2010. Thanks to ongoing modernisation, we are continuously increasing their efficiency. Innovations include the production of district heating or cooling systems that use recirculated air and rainwater.

Efficiency through modernisation(opens in new tab)

This is how we invest in certified climate protection projects.

The facts

This is how we invest in certified climate protection projects.

To remove and prevent CO₂ emissions, we depend on renowned partners. We select these partners according to strict criteria. In doing so, we attach great importance to a diversified project portfolio with reliable CO₂ reductions.

Investments in climate protection are made on a voluntary basis and are realised through high-quality climate protection projects. We do not see these measures as a substitute for CO₂ reduction. While we remain focused on CO₂ reduction, we also want to take additional responsibility today for the CO₂ emissions that are currently still unavoidable. We rely on partners who implement projects with reliable CO₂ reduction according to strict criteria. In doing so, we follow the current recommendations of SBTi and the Oxford Principles for Net Zero Aligned Carbon Offsetting. We also contribute to climate protection in Switzerland by promoting standard tree planting in cooperation with myclimate and Hochstamm Suisse.

Go to climate protection projects

Detailed information on savings and climate protection projects(opens in new tab)

The impact of digitalisation on climate protection.

The facts

The impact of digitalisation on climate protection.

Digitisation offers great potential for climate protection solutions. It affects all sectors of the economy that can be made more sustainable through ICT. Swisscom wants to use climate-friendly solutions to help customers achieve significant CO₂ reductions and save one million tonnes of CO₂ per year.

Swisscom climate targets

Our methodology shows how we calculate the avoided CO₂ emissions.(opens in new tab)

SMARTer 2030(opens in new tab)

What role can 5G play for the environment?

Opportunities and risks of digitisation for climate protection in Switzerland(opens in new tab)

Climate protection projects

Swisscom has defined clear criteria for its investments in climate protection projects, in order to ensure their high quality and integrity:

Reliable CO₂ removal: CO₂ removal must be scientifically proven and verified.
Ambitious projects: Projects must be certified according to internationally recognised standards and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Diversified portfolio: Project selection is geographically broad-based and includes a sensible mix of different project types.
Connection to Swisscom: The project portfolio should have the best possible connection to Swisscom.

Reforestation in Ghana

Solar power plant in Chile

Wind power in Argentina

Forest conservation in Indonesia

Avoided deforestation in the Rimba Raya Reserve

Indonesia has lost almost a quarter of its forest area since 1990 and the rainforests of Borneo, as in many tropical regions, are under severe threat. Excessive logging, the extraction of minerals and mineral resources and the production of palm oil and pulp are putting great pressure on the forests. As logging increases, roads and access roads are being built, making previously isolated forest areas easily accessible. As a result, deforestation is progressing ever faster. According to estimates, an area of forest the size of a football pitch is irretrievably lost every minute in the region. The consequences are dramatic: the peat forests in Borneo alone store up to 70 times more carbon than the amount emitted annually by the burning of fossil fuels around the world. Massive logging destroys the CO₂ sink potential of the forests and they themselves become a source of CO₂ emissions.

The Rimba Raya conservation area is located in the south-east of Borneo and borders Tanjung Puting National Park. The forest area protected as part of the project covers 64,000 hectares. One focus of the project activities is the protection of endangered animal species - including the endangered Bornean orangutan, whose population has declined by 95% over the past century. To this end, the project acquires utilisation rights for areas adjacent to the protected area, which serve as buffer zones. In close cooperation with the local village communities, initiatives for sustainable employment are being developed to benefit the local people. The Rimba Raya project is the first REDD project to be awarded the triple gold certificate in accordance with the recognised CCB standard.

Go to project(opens in new tab)

To the project register: Verra Verified Carbon Standard(opens in new tab)

About First Climate

First Climate has been active as a pioneer in mandatory and voluntary emissions trading since 1999. The team of technical experts, engineers, scientists and financial specialists supports clients in the management and offsetting of greenhouse gas emissions.

Go to First Climate(opens in new tab)