Climate

Carbon footprint based on Scope 1, 2 and 3 of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG)

Swisscom follows a clear policy to combat the consequences of climate change. It intends to use its energy management programme to increase energy efficiency and reduce its direct emissions. The company’s strategic focus on sustainable living and working also encourages the use of climate-friendly services. Swisscom applies the internationally recognised definitions of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG) and classifies its CO2 emissions as Scope 1 (direct emissions resulting from burning fossil fuels for heating and mobility or from refrigerants), Scope 2 (indirect emissions caused by purchased energies) and Scope 3 (all other indirect CO2 emissions resulting, for example, from goods transport, business trips, etc.).

  • Scope 1 emissions: The direct consumption of fossil fuels accounts for 19.9% of Swisscom’s total direct energy consumption. Swisscom’s Scope 1 CO2 emissions have fallen by 3.9% since 1 January 2010 to 25’260 tonnes in 2013, without adjustment for the number of heating days. Vehicle fuel accounts for 49% of this, and heating fuel accounts for 51%. Scope 1 now factors in the emissions from refrigerants, which amount to 226.2 tonnes at Swisscom. Scope 1, however, does not include emissions from SF°6 losses in electrical transformers and stations, as these systems are not controlled by Swisscom.
  • Scope 2 emissions: The electricity mix used in Switzerland is not generated from fossil fuels and so its production is free from CO2 emissions. Swisscom therefore has no CO2 emissions under Scope 2.
  • Scope 3 emissions:Swisscom determined its greenhouse gas emissions in 2013 in accordance with Scope 3, the calculation of which reflects the emissions associated with the change in its vehicle fleet, the provision of energy, the removal of operational waste, business travel, employee commuter traffic and the use of products by customers. The indirect CO2 emissions resulting from the provision of electricity which fall under Scope 3 are calculated by application of a conversion factor of 14.7 g CO2 per kWh. Scope 3 emissions are published in a separate climate report according to ISO 14064.

Other air emissions

Besides CO2 emissions, burning fossil fuels for heating and transport also produces NOx and SO2. These emissions are calculated using the relevant conversion factors and depend on the amount of vehicle fuel and heating fuel consumed. Swisscom is reducing these emissions by continually optimising heating boilers and drive motors.

Other environmental aspects in the company

Information on the environmental aspects of Swisscom’s operations, such as paper consumption, waste disposal and water consumption, can be found in the GRI appendix to the Annual Report.

Swisscom publishes its greenhouse gas inventory in a climate report written in accordance with the ISO 14064 standard and has it externally certified. This report does not just provide information on emissions, but also on the effects of the implemented saving measures. It also calculates the CO2 emissions that can be avoided by the company and its residential customers using the myclimate-certified ecologically friendly ICT services described in the Annual Report in the section on sustainable living and working.

See

Swisscom is also involved on each year in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). In 2013, Swisscom was rated as a Carbon Disclosure and Performance Leader. It was therefore included in the relevant indices, namely the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI), the Carbon Performance Leadership Index (CPLI) and the Carbon Supplier Climate Performance Leadership Index (SCPLI).

See Appendix
  • Building renovations
  • Low-consumption vehicles
  • Mobility management