Industry
Communications, Media and Information Services
Going Beyond: CMI to Focus on Personalized Experiences for Growth
Highlights
- Creating sustainable workplaces is a critical requirement for CSPs to reach net zero.
- New technologies are an additional stimulus for telcos to transform their ESG strategies.
- An ESG-compatible workplace attracts newer talent which helps in the overall sustainability of the business.
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New world order
The COVID-19 pandemic led to businesses reimagining the work, the worker, and the workplace.
As with any other industry, this has resulted in telecommunications companies focusing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.
According to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol – the global accounting standard for greenhouse emissions – telcos have reasonably navigated Scope 1 (direct emissions) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions from energy sources). Scope 3 emissions, that are not associated with the operator itself but which the organization is indirectly responsible for, are harder to track. A significant part of Scope 3 emissions come from the workplace.
The ESG framework assesses how an organization can nurture its workforce and empower its human capital amidst rapidly changing environmental, social, and economic systems. Creating sustainable workplaces is now a critical requirement for communications service providers (CSPs) in their journey toward net zero.
Rethink workplaces
Environmental and social factors are key to transforming telcos’ sustainability strategies.
The global energy crisis, increased pressure from stakeholders, and the emergence of new digital technologies are additional stimuli for communications and media firms to transform their ESG strategies. These include tracking greenhouse gas emissions, finding a solution for the energy consumption of end-of-life equipment, and dealing with the challenges of a global customer base.
CSPs can now consciously connect people and organizations to their digital society, increasing transparency and building effective dialogue without compromising on ethics and integrity.
Become sustainable
Rethink how workplaces are utilized, create space for social responsibility, and ensure a healthy governance system.
Telcos need to become centers for promoting teamwork through skill workshops and social and creative exchange. For a sustainable workplace, telcos should take a holistic approach by:
- Redesigning workplaces: Redesign workspaces to offer employees a more collaborative and inspiring environment. Repurpose the use of the physical workplace where employees connect and collaborate. Workplaces shouldn’t just be a place to work out of but a hub that invests in creating space for innovation.
- Promoting social responsibility: Promote diversity and inclusiveness while prioritizing employee well-being and safety. Leading telcos should collaborate with local communities to support social initiatives and boost productivity.
- Ensuring robust governance: Telcos must establish clear policies and procedures, promote ethical behavior, and comply with laws and regulations to develop a culture of accountability. Encouraging 360-degree feedback would be an effective tool for this.
Lead the way
Keeping Scope 3 emissions under check is essential to integrate ESG principles into a telco’s ecosystem.
By optimizing the supply chain to allow for circularity, agreeing to equipment-as-a-service, making sustainability a critical evaluation benchmark during procurement, and working with suppliers to reduce their Scope 3 emissions, telcos can incorporate ESG principles into their ecosystems.
Additionally, telcos should:
- Encourage environment-friendly modes of commuting, for instance, carpools and public transit
- Drive continuous employee engagement, provide training opportunities, and create an organization wide ESG culture
- Set up annual ESG targets and monitor the progress – with periodic communication of achievements – through multiple channels
- Identify systemic bias while bridging the digital divide to create an inclusive culture
- Design workplace sustainability strategies by leveraging new technologies such as generative AI
An organization with a highly engaged workforce will report a high ESG maturity, leading to positive reinforcement from the entire ecosystem. Telcos must lead in creating a sustainable workplace that protects against further harm to biodiversity and climate change while enhancing employee well-being. Such a working environment will bring in new talent, thereby contributing to the overall sustainability of the business.
