Episode 9 – Deutsche Telekom’s Commitment to Climate Neutrality by 2040

Welcome to the next episode of Platform Disco! Today, our guest is Melanie Kubin-Hardewig, Vice President of Group Corporate Responsibility at Deutsche Telekom. WHAT IS THE EPISODE ABOUT? Melanie shares her transition from law to finance roles and her passion for driving environmental strategies within the organization. Deutsche Telekom has a long history of climate targets and is committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2040. They have developed a transition plan that focuses on reducing emissions in their own operations and throughout their value chain. We also discuss the role of associations like GSMA in driving marketplace operations and collaborative efforts within the industry. Melanie explains how important it is to team up with competitors to tackle environmental and financial issues when setting up marketplaces.. Network sustainability challenges, circular economy principles, and the potential of second-life batteries and recycling to meet energy demands are explored as significant trends in the industry. Finally we talk about the role of digitization and innovation in balancing energy consumption and enabling greener practices. Leveraging AI and modern technologies to lower energy demands, reduce waste, and enhance energy efficiency are seen as crucial steps. Standardized metrics and industry-wide cooperation are deemed essential for driving continuous improvement in environmental impact. Personal and business success goals focus on achieving greater circularity in device management and fostering a culture of sustainability across all business functions.