The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the most ambitious programme in history to address the major social and environmental challenges facing humanity.
The Internet and digital solutions are key to achieving more than half the SDG targets. At Telefónica we are taking up the baton and committing ourselves to the 2030 Agenda:
- Build a greener future: taking advantage of the power of digitalisation to curb climate change.
- Help society thrive: promoting economic and social progress based on digitalisation, leaving no one behind.
- Lead by example: maintaining strict levels of governance oversight in order to build trust.
Measuring the impact
At Telefónica we identify where and how we contribute more significantly to the Sustainable Development Goals.
From 2019, we measure our social and environmental contribution annually, following the guidelines of:
- Harvard Business School (HBS).
- Value Balancing Alliance (VBA).
- World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
- Capitals Coalition.
We integrate the results into our management and decision-making to further improve.
Impact of Telefónica in 2022
Sustainable finance helps us support the SDGs with projects with social and environmental impact.
Economic contribition
SDG 8
Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9
Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 16
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Economic contribution by offering our quality service and supporting local industry, Telefónica promotes social and economic development.
Our economic contribution is equivalent to €48 billion.
This section takes into account the economic value generated directly or indirectly by our activities and investments in the main countries in which we operate. In addition, we measure the externalities generated through taxes incurred and those that contribute to the creation of services to society by public administrations.
The material issues included in this block are directly related to:
- Management of the supply chain.
- Ethical conduct and compliance.
- Value proposition.
Social contribution
SDG 3
Good Health and Well-Being
SDG 4
Quality Education
SDG 5
Gender Equality
SDG 8
Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9
Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 10
Reduced Inequalities
SDG 16
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
ODS 17
Partnerships for the goals
Social contribution – Digital inclusion
By bringing connectivity and digitalisation to more people in both urban and rural areas, we generated €32 billion in communities.
Social contribution – Human capital
We promote inclusion, diversity and training, with a positive impact of €17 billion.
The social contribution pillar is divided into digital inclusion and human capital.
In digital inclusion the biggest impact comes from the economic value generated by the fixed and mobile broadband service we offer to our customers.
The material issues related to this section are as follows:
- Sustainable innovation.
- Digital inclusion.
- Ethical conduct and compliance.
- Network and data security.
- Privacy and digital rights.
Regarding the human capital block, contains an analysis of our commitment to promoting the physical, intellectual and economic well-being of our employees.
The specific issues included in this block are:
- Diversity, equality and non-discrimination.
- Labour practices/working conditions and health and safety.
- Ethical conduct and compliance.
Contribution to the environment
SDG 11
Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12
Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 13
Climate Action
SDG 14
Life Below Water
SDG 15
Life on Land
We are committed to minimising our environmental impact and promoting the decarbonisation and circularity of the economies in which we operate.
We estimate a contribution to the contribution to the environment in 2022 of approximately €2.5 billion.
This block takes into account our contribution to the environment in order to achieve more sustainable economic development.
The material matters included in this section are:
- Climate change and energy management.
- Circular economy.
- Contribution to the decarbonisation of the economy.
- Other environmental aspects.
We work with the FAO
Together we promote digitalisation in agriculture and the food value chain, contributing to SDGs 2, 11, 12, 13 and 17.
Digital Inclusion Benchmark leaders
Telefónica, world leader in cybersecurity, privacy, responsible use of technology by children and accessible design.
