Vodafone leads ICT sector on sustainability

The information and communications technology (ICT) industry’s future sustainability performance is likely to be measured by its ability to identify commercial solutions that meet the need for climate change adaptation. Yet according to the latest Tomorrow’s Value Rating, the industry’s track record in addressing sustainability challenges through innovation varies enormously.

Leaders such as Vodafone, Nokia and HP can all point to promising product and service developments, but many others show little progress in this direction.

Vodafone is ranked first in the Tomorrow’s Value Rating of the ICT sector with a  score of 60%, reflecting its strong, all-round sustainability leadership. It is followed by Nokia (55%) and HP (52%), with AT&T (28%) and Verizon (23%) trailing at the foot of the table.

Researched and produced by Two Tomorrows, the Tomorrow’s Value Rating uses publicly-available information to assess companies on how well they manage their most pressing social and environmental issues. The Rating aims to further the debate on sustainable business, identify and reward best practices, and spur healthy competition among companies by examining the largest companies in globally important industries.

This latest Rating has studied the 20 largest companies in the ICT industry (based on the Fortune Global 500).

Thomas Krick from the Tomorrow’s Value Rating comments: “ICT companies are increasingly recognising the commercial opportunity that lies in helping other industry sectors reduce their carbon footprint, and in using their technology to offer socially valuable services such as health monitoring or education.

“Vodafone is best positioned to turn some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges into business opportunities, thereby combining positive impacts with the generation of shareholder value. The company has a strong track record of developing services that help improve the lives of disadvantaged people and remote communities.”

Other findings of the Rating include:

• Nokia leads in innovation, with its recycled materials initiative 'Re-made on Earth from Nothing New' and its 'Nokia Life Tools' programme.
• HP leads the industry’s considerable efforts towards more sustainable supply chains.
• Compliance drives the need for responsible management of electronic waste. Still a major challenge in developing countries, many companies fail to give this issue necessary attention.
• Mobile health initiatives offer a significant opportunity for positive impact. Following the success of its mobile payment services, Vodafone appears to be taking a lead with its new m-health business. 

Full results of the Tomorrow's Value Rating of the ICT sector