Singtel’s commitment to environmental leadership has been acknowledged with a top-tier ‘A’ rating on the prestigious Climate Change A List 2023 by global non-profit CDP. This accomplishment marks Singtel as the first Southeast Asian telecommunications company to attain such recognition.
The elevated ‘A’ rating, up from ‘A-‘ in 2022, reflects Singtel’s consistent environmental stewardship efforts. These efforts encompass demonstrated reductions in emissions, setting and achieving sustainability targets, engagement throughout the value chain, and enhanced environmental disclosures. CDP’s environmental disclosure and scoring process, considered the gold standard for corporate environmental transparency, rigorously evaluates climate change practices, disclosures, and targets of over 21,000 companies worldwide to compile its annual index.
Ms. Aileen Tan, Singtel’s Group Chief People and Sustainability Officer, expressed gratitude for being the inaugural Southeast Asian telecom company to achieve the esteemed ‘A’ rating. She emphasized the company’s enduring commitment to environmental stewardship and highlighted ongoing initiatives, including refreshed SBTi-approved targets for carbon reduction and an advanced net-zero target of 2045, positioning Singtel as the sole Asian telco with such an ambitious goal before 2050. Ms. Tan acknowledged the collective effort of supply chain partners and regional associates, pledging continued engagement to ensure a more sustainable future.
Ms. Sherry Madera, Chief Executive Officer of CDP, emphasized that inclusion in the A List signifies not only a high score but also comprehensive data that provides a holistic view of a company’s environmental impact. She commended A List companies for their continuous efforts in turning commitments into meaningful and effective action.
Singtel’s environmental strategy revolves around reducing energy consumption, enhancing energy efficiency, and transitioning to renewable energy sources. As the first telecom company in Asia with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)-validated renewed targets, Singtel aims to reduce group-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 55% (Scope 1 and 2) and third-party emissions by 40% (Scope 3) by 2030, using 2023 as the base year.
Since 2015, Singtel has invested S$150 million in various climate mitigation initiatives, including supporting renewable energy, upgrading infrastructure for energy efficiency, e-waste recycling, and deploying solar panels. The company utilizes AI and machine learning to optimize network energy usage, transitions to an electric vehicle fleet, and plans to achieve carbon neutrality at its Comcentre headquarters by 2028. The upcoming data centre, DC Tuas, aims to be one of Singapore’s most efficient upon its operational launch in early 2026.
Singtel extends its commitment beyond internal measures, actively engaging supply chain partners to enhance disclosures and climate action. The company supports regional associates’ decarbonization initiatives to reduce Scope 3 emissions. In 2022, Singtel published its inaugural standalone Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure report, joining a select group of progressive Singapore companies.
In 2022, Singtel secured an ‘A’ score in Supplier Engagement Rating and joined the CDP Supply Chain Programme, leveraging its purchasing power for positive change. Recently, Singtel was recognized as Asia’s most sustainable telecom provider on the 2024 Corporate Knights Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World index and ASEAN’s second most sustainable telecoms brand in Brand Finance’s ASEAN 300.
