Economical data centres
Swisscom achieved an average PUE (power usage effectiveness) value of 1.35 in its data centres in 2019 (prior year: 1.37). The PUE value represents the ratio of total power consumed by a data centre to the power consumed by the IT systems running there. The most efficient Swisscom data centre is located in Berne Wankdorf, which achieved a PUE value of 1.33 in 2019 (target value: 1.2). In order to further boost the efficiency of its data centres, Swisscom is focusing primarily on server virtualisation. As a result, it requires less IT infrastructure and therefore less energy for the same performance.
Smart buildings
Swisscom monitors and improves electricity consumption in buildings as part of efficiency measures in accordance with the internal Pioneer standard. In 2019, the corresponding checks helped optimise the operating conditions of around 90 buildings, saving 1,044 MWh of energy, 30% of this as a result of lighting measures alone.
Savings in fuel consumption and heat
Swisscom measures the consumption of heating oil, natural gas, district heating and water on a monthly basis in its 120 largest buildings. Together, these buildings account for more than half of the its total floorspace. Swisscom then extrapolates these figures to calculate the overall annual consumption. Adjustments to the heating mix – such as by using biomass (wood) as a supplementary energy source – has caused the energy consumption of the buildings to fall. Together with the lower heating degree days, this has led to a reduction in CO2 emissions in recent years. The monthly measurements have also revealed cases of disproportionately high energy consumption, which have been optimised.
As part of a large-scale efficiency programme, Swisscom has been replacing all heating systems that were due to be refurbished with CO2-free systems since 2016. The new heating systems generate heat by means of heat pumps, biomass (wood) and, where possible, heat recovery from their own operation. They are contributing to the shift from fossil fuels to electricity to cover energy needs, while at the same time increasing efficiency.
Seamless mobility
Swisscom’s employees depend on needs-oriented mobility and a modern vehicle fleet for their very different activities. A sustainable procurement strategy has been set up to reduce average CO2 emissions per car from 113 g of CO2 per kilometre to 95 g by the end of 2020. With the procurement of vehicles, Swisscom targets energy-efficient models and increasingly electric vehicles. In accordance with the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), CO2 emissions from vehicles in the Swisscom fleet according to manufacturer’s information averaged 101 g of CO2/km as of the end of 2019, with 88.6% of the fleet classified in energy efficiency categories A and B. Swisscom is also working on a new overall concept to further optimise the distribution of chargers and parking spaces.
Own electricity
For more than ten years, Swisscom has been generating and using its own electricity. It sees this as an important contribution to sustainable energy supply in Switzerland. For this reason, photovoltaic systems are always installed for roof renovations, if this makes economic sense. Swisscom commissioned numerous new solar installations on transmitter stations (56 kWp) or operation buildings (817 kWp) in 2019. The total output of Swisscom’s 82 solar installations is 3,163 kWp and electricity production is 3 GWh. The largest installation (output of 730 kWp) went into operation on the roof of Swisscom’s headquarters in Worblaufen in November 2019. Swisscom has set itself the target of achieving a total output of more than 4,000 kWp by 2023 with full utilisation of its estimated potential of 4.5 GWh by its own locations.
Sustainable use of resources and circular economy – management approach
It takes not only energy but also a multitude of other resources, such as paper, water or land, to operate telecommunications networks. Careful handling of these is not only sensible from an economic perspective, but also essential from an ecological point of view.
Swisscom therefore continuously develops its operational environmental compatibility and its sustainable use of resources in accordance with ISO 14001. It intends to reduce consumption in its operations and as an operator or at worst to limit it to the same level as in the previous year. As the annual review of targets and progress achieved shows, reduction targets or measures that do not affect energy consumption only lead to minor improvements in relative terms.
The resources used by Swisscom are finite, and in some cases scarce. It is therefore not only the choice of materials that plays a central role; the use and service life of the materials also make an important contribution to determining the carbon footprint. The longer a resource is used, the more eco-efficient it is. Both manufacturers and, above all, retailers and telecommunications companies have become aware that the linear economy, however efficient it may be, must be replaced with a completely closed circular economy throughout the value chain. Such a circular economy enables resources to live a second life and relieves the environment thanks to reductions in waste and emissions.
Swisscom plays an important role in the circular economy on the Swiss market as a supplier of merchandise (mobile phones, etc.) and self-developed and branded devices (e.g. TV boxes and routers) and also as a network operator. Its innovations enable even better products and services for customers, while eliminating the need for outdated platforms. An example of this is the dismantling of the previous TDM transmission technology: The existing fixed network is no longer needed after the complete migration to All IP. In keeping with circular economy principles, its components are set to be returned to the cycle instead of being disposed of.
Based on the commitments of its sustainability and supply chain strategy, Swisscom has prepared an internal circular economy analysis. The analysis structures the business activities and framework conditions, and also reveals strengths and action areas. A separate working group, consisting of internal experts and led by the sustainability team, is dedicated to the implementation of the knowledge gained. The working group coordinates the Group-wide circular economy programmes by exploiting synergies and challenging the status quo. It also reports on key figures and supports major projects from a circular economy standpoint. The decision-making authority lies with the line managers.
The following sections describe the measures in relation to the circular economy and the sustainable use of resources which go beyond energy use:
Circular economy
Measures
Swisscom enables resources used in its operations to be returned to the cycle via its recycling, repair and reuse initiatives and provides its customers with straightforward offers for the reuse of materials and resources.
Reuse of packaging
Customers play a major role and contribute to a successful circular economy. After all, they decide what will happen to their products and packaging after use. On the new “ReThink” website, Swisscom outlines tips on how to reuse packaging. This makes it easy for customers to reduce the amount of waste.
See www.swisscom.ch/rethinkSwisscom has also further developed its packaging concept to facilitate reuse. The “ReBox” packing box without any branding on it can be reused independently. It has been tested with the new Internet Box 3 product and will gradually be adapted to suit our other products.
Return of materials
Swisscom introduced the new “Take me back” programme in 2019. This complements the existing options in reverse logistics. Selected routers contain return labels that can be used to return faulty devices.
See www.swisscom.ch/materialRepairs
If a device happens to be faulty, Swisscom offers on-site repairs within 24 hours at its nine repair centres. It even provides a fee-based express service for repairs within three hours. If a phone has to be sent in to the manufacturer for repair, the service takes nine days on average. One in five mobile phones purchased from Swisscom will be repaired by Swisscom at least once during its lifetime and will not have to be replaced. Most repairs relate to cracked displays or remedying battery and software problems. The manufacturer’s warranty remains intact thanks to the certified specialists involved and the use of original parts.
In 2019, Swisscom repaired 23,654 mobile phones at its repair centres. This corresponds to 23% of the total repairs that Swisscom receives.
Swisscom Buyback
For greater clarity, Swisscom’s “Mobile Bonus” scheme, which offers to buy back old devices, was renamed “Buyback” in 2019. Similarly, the business customer initiative “Mobile Bonus Business” was renamed “Buyback Business” in 2019. The renaming took place in early 2019 as part of the separation of equipment and subscription prices, i.e. the termination of equipment subsidies via subscriptions.
Swisscom Mobile Aid
Returned but functional devices also have the potential for reuse. In 2019, Swisscom Mobile Aid collected 86,000 used mobile devices that had been returned by consumers. Swisscom sold around a third of these devices via a third-party company to countries where there is demand for low-priced second-hand devices. All proceeds from the sales went to the social enterprise réalise in Geneva and the SOS-Kinderdorf Schweiz relief organisation.
Réalise inspects and sorts the devices collected, separates working devices from faulty devices, deletes the data from working devices and prepares them for resale. Devices that can no longer be sold are professionally recycled by a SWICO-licensed company. The initial stages are carried out by the recycling company Solenthaler Recycling AG together with Dock Gruppe AG. Dock Gruppe AG helps long-term unemployed people to reintegrate into the workforce. Compared to the previous year, the total response rate rose to 15.9% (2018: 9.9%).
See www.swisscom.ch/mobileaidSustainable resources for own products
For its own products, Swisscom strives continuously to use new, more sustainable materials that are reused from other sources. Swisscom has carried out a pilot project with new biopolymers derived from 100% renewable material and used as plastic substitutes. This material cannot be mass produced yet. In 2020, Swisscom will continue to work on making its own products more and more sustainable and compliant with circular economy principles.