Greece’s OTE Group: 4 strategic priorities of sustainable development for a better world for all

Leading companies, today, understand that sustainable development must be an integral part of business strategy, taking into account ESG criteria and stakeholder requirements.

OTE Group has been such an example for Greece for more than a decade, as Sustainable Development is its main priority. Recently the OTE Group presented its vision and strategy for being the leading sustainable digital service provider. Sustainability is a key priority and it is integrated into the Group’s business strategy and operations.

The Chairman and CEO of OTE Group, Michael Tsamaz, commented that “We approach everything we do or plan to do from the perspective of sustainability. From investments in our networks and services to the ICT projects we implement, the partners we choose and the development of our people.”

Implementing more than 60% of the sector’s investments, the OTE Group is the largest telecommunications investor and one of the largest overall investors in Greece. It accounts for 10% of the capitalisation of the Athens Stock Exchange. It contributes 2.7% of GDP, creates approximately 75,000 direct and indirect jobs, and is present with its services in most Greek homes. “The larger a company is, the greater its responsibility and social footprint,” Mr. Tsamaz said, adding that “OTE Group shoulders its share of responsibility. There is no time to waste. Tomorrow is today. It’s not enough to do the minimum required by law. We have to take leaps ahead to see substantial change. And we must all be in this together. Companies, the state, and each of us individually.

Sustainability since 2012

Starting in 2012, the OTE Group has gradually built its sustainability culture, mindset, and practices, succeeding in putting sustainability at the heart of all its corporate operations and business activities. In this context, OTE Group has major achievements in Greece:

• From 2017 to 2021, it reduced emissions from the energy consumption of its installations by 85%.
• 100% of its electricity consumption in Greece has come from renewable energy sources since 2020.
• While data usage has increased exponentially in recent years — having tripled since 2017 — OTE Group reduced its energy consumption by 7%, to 496 GWh in 2021.
• In 2021, 88% of waste generated from all its activities was sustainably managed (recycled or reused), compared to 75% in 2018.
• It has collected 1.3 million pieces of mobile devices and accessories to be recycled over the past 15 years. The devices collected in 2020 have increased by 100% in comparison to 2014.
• Recruitment of women increased from 30% in 2019 to 40% in 2021.
• Women account for approximately 40% of its workforce, which is high for a tech company.
• 35% of positions with responsibility are covered by women.
• It has upgraded Greece, creating state-of-the-art fixed-line and mobile networks. OTE Group has installed more than 46,000 km of optical fiber, providing access to COSMOTE Fiber speeds to 70% of Greek households. The FTTH network alone will reach almost 1 million homes and businesses by the end of the year. On the mobile network, 4G population coverage is at 99%, and 5G will have reached 80% by the end of the year.
• More than 2,5 million people benefited from over 45 digital inclusion initiatives implemented in 2021.

OTE Group’s social contribution is particularly important, exceeding €40 million over the past 10 years. Among other things, the Scholarship Program, with more than 750 scholarships, the support of 60 organizations caring for children in need, the equipment and creation of 19 Trauma Centers in Greek hospitals caring for more than 100,000 children annually, and the provision of equipment for Intensive Care Units during the pandemic stand out.

Strategy and commitments for a better world for all

OTE Group’s sustainability strategy is fully aligned with that of Deutsche Telekom Group, focusing on four priorities:

• Climate Neutrality: Reducing emissions, increasing energy efficiency and contributing to the reduction of the carbon footprint of customers and partners.
• Circular Economy throughout the Value Chain: Conserving natural resources and promoting circular economy principles throughout the value chain.
• Inclusion & Equal Opportunities in the workplace: The Group’s corporate culture and daily practices promote the values of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
• Digital Society for All: Decisive contribution of OTE Group to Greece’s digital transformation, while ensuring equal participation in the digital world for all.

Based on its strategic priorities, OTE Group announced five key commitments for the future:

• Climate neutrality for OTE Group by 2025 and for the entire value chain by 2040.
• Zero ICT waste to landfill as of 2022.
• Collection of 400,000 mobile devices and accessories for recycling or refurbishment by 2024.
• Women covering at least 30% of top and senior managers’ positions by 2024.
• Over 10 million beneficiaries from the Group’s digital inclusion initiatives over the period 2021-2024.

“These five commitments are our pivotal objectives. But our work, our actions, don’t stop here. Under every pillar of our strategy, we have set many additional smaller or larger goals that our people are working towards every day. I thank them all,” Mr. Tsamaz stressed.