Deutsche Telekom Reaches Milestone for Climate Action

First Climate delivers selected carbon removal solutions for the company’s project portfolio

Deutsche Telekom has reached a significant milestone in their climate strategy. According to its own figures, the company was able to reduce its operational emissions by over 94% since 2017. That’s the equivalent to around 28 million tons of greenhouse gases. 

Deutsche Telekom's approach to climate action follows a clear and consistent prioritization. The company first set and validated their science-based climate targets. Deutsche Telekom then implemented systematic decarbonization measures to reduce operational emissions as much as possible, such as by switching to renewable-based power supply. The emissions that they are unable to reduce are neutralized by purchasing carbon credits from high-quality carbon removal projects.

“Climate neutrality requires more than just avoiding emissions. It also requires actively removing CO₂ from the atmosphere. High-quality carbon removal projects, such as those we support in collaboration with First Climate, are an important building block for us on the path to achieving our net-zero goal,” says Tiana Trumpa, climate expert from Telekom’s Group Corporate Responsibility Team Climate & Environment Cluster.

Diversified Portfolio of High-Quality Carbon Removal Projects

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects ensure that carbon dioxide is actively removed from the atmosphere and sequestered as carbon in the long term. Deutsche Telekom relies on a portfolio of various nature-based and technological solutions for effective carbon removal. First Climate contributes to Deutsche Telekom's portfolio with selected high-quality carbon removal projects.

These include, among others:

The Niger Delta Mangroves Project (Nigeria)

The Nature Based Solutions project, registered with Verra (VCS) and CCBS, is committed to restoring mangrove forests in a wetland region covering around 1,900 km² in the Niger Delta. With an annual sink capacity of around 30,000 tons of CO₂e, the project combines long-term carbon sequestration with biodiversity conservation and regional value creation. Over 1,000,000 mangrove trees have already been planted.

The First Climate Biochar Program in Switzerland

First Climate's Swiss Biochar Program is a pioneering project for certified biochar carbon removal solutions in Europe. Pyrolysis of biogenic residues produces stable biochar that permanently binds carbon. In 2023, the project was officially awarded an A rating by the BeZero Carbon agency as the first project of its kind worldwide and stands for high quality and integrity standards in the field of technological processes for carbon removal.

Effective Climate Action with Carbon Removals

With its ambitious climate strategy, Deutsche Telekom AG is demonstrating how innovative carbon removals can be successfully integrated into long-term net-zero strategies.

"Ambitious climate strategies combine consistent emissions reduction with high-quality carbon removal solutions. We are delighted to be able to accompany Deutsche Telekom on this journey and thus contribute to the further scaling of effective carbon removal projects," says Nino Berta, Senior Project Manager Technical Removal Solutions at First Climate.