Environment
For Magyar Telekom, environmental protection is not a separate goal, but an integral part of our operations. We manage our resources responsibly, reduce our environmental impact, and apply digital solutions that support climate protection and the circular economy.
We are taking concrete steps toward a sustainable future. From energy and waste management to protecting biodiversity, we engage our customers to make a real difference together.
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Climate Protection and Emission Reduction
Magyar Telekom is committed to significantly reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To this end, the company has set the following targets within the framework of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi):
Scope 1 and 2 emissions: 84% reduction by 2030, compared to the 2015 baseline.
Scope 3 emissions: 30% reduction by 2030, compared to the 2017 baseline.
These ambitious targets are in line with the 1.5°C global warming limit set in the Paris Agreement.
Resource Efficiency and Waste Management
Resource management
Magyar Telekom is committed to responsible resource management across its entire value chain. Our goal is to conserve resources, extend the lifespan of products and materials, and reintegrate them into the circular economy. This approach reduces resource and energy consumption, mitigates emissions, and supports climate protection.
We have made significant progress in shaping our energy consumption and emission profile. The use of fossil energy has further decreased, while the share of renewable energy has increased in our operations. As a result, our direct emissions and those related to energy consumption have decreased (Scope 1-2). At the same time, emissions across the entire value chain showed an increase, primarily in areas where the company has limited direct influence (Scope 3).
Packaging and Used Materials
Mobile phone manufacturing consumes rare earth metals and significant amounts of water. Magyar Telekom expects its suppliers
to share its commitment to tackling climate change, protecting the environment, and preserving natural habitats. Suppliers
must prevent waste generation—including water discharge and energy loss—through efficient processes, prioritizing the reduction,
reuse, and recycling of materials before waste management.
In addition, Magyar Telekom aims to reduce the environmental burden of mobile phone materials by collecting and recycling used devices, refurbishing them for resale, and reusing/recycling network equipment. We achieved a 100% sustainable packaging target for our own-brand products by 2024, and we are committed to maintaining this for the future. We send 100% of our technical waste for recycling, but our partners currently only utilize 90% of it, with the remaining portion ending up in landfills.
Circular Economy
At Telekom, resource efficiency and the circular economy are top priorities across our entire value chain. As we continuously modernize our infrastructure, it naturally requires the procurement of new equipment and an influx of materials. Magyar Telekom's goal is to minimize this environmental footprint, carefully managing waste generation throughout our operations as well as the resale of obsolete equipment.
Since 2021, Magyar Telekom Group has also committed to voluntary targets: increasing the number of mobile phones collected from customers, keeping electronic waste out of landfills, and ensuring 100% sustainable packaging for our own-brand products. These circular economy goals focus heavily on waste prevention and reuse, with progress tracked on a quarterly basis.
For years, we have been offering solutions to our customers at multiple levels of the circular economy. We were the first
service provider in Hungary to offer customers fully refurbished devices in addition to brand new ones. Alongside purchasing
used devices, an increasing number of people are using the platform we run in partnership with Recommerce, which allows anyone
to sell their unwanted mobile phones, tablets, or gaming consoles. Furthermore, any mobile device that is no longer in use
can be dropped off at any Telekom store, where we ensure its proper, environmentally responsible end-of-life management.
"Pass it back, Mate!"
Magyar Telekom and Hello Nonprofit announced a tender titled "In a Circular Economy, in Interaction, in Community" for Hungarian nonprofit organizations. The goal was to reduce e-waste and digital environmental pollution, promote urban climate adaptation, and support the resilience of domestic ecosystems.
The winner was the Jane Goodall Institute's "Pass it back, Mate!" program, which received 16 million forints in support. Since 2018, the program has collected unused mobile phones, GPS devices, tablets, and accessories at over 1200 collection points nationwide, with a strong emphasis on attitude formation and education.
The popularization of climate protection and the circular economy is a key element of Magyar Telekom's ESG strategy. The company itself collects tens of thousands of devices annually, meaning tons of electronic waste, for recycling or donation. For years, it has also offered used devices to its customers in the spirit of sustainability. Magyar Telekom supports climate adaptation projects with 500 forints after each used device submitted by customers and colleagues, which led to the creation of the 16 million forint support.
It is important to know that a smartphone contains 63 different elements, 90% of which are recyclable. Recycling one mobile device can save 50 kg of CO2 emissions, and recycling four phones can save a year's worth of carbon sequestration equivalent CO2.
Biodiversity and Nature Conservation
Biodiversity
The preservation of biological diversity and the fight against deforestation have long been key areas for us. Our goal is to contribute to the protection of natural resources at every stage of our value chain by implementing numerous measures. One of the main causes of the decline in biological diversity and the extinction of species is the increasing land use by industry, agriculture, and transport. As a telecommunications company, we use relatively little land and water compared to other industries, but minimizing our environmental footprint is essential for the health of global ecosystems.
Magyar Telekom facilities have employee-maintained flower gardens. Magyar Telekom has already handed over the areas of several of its facilities for use as community gardens.
On Magyar Telekom's premises, we avoid mowing whenever possible to protect rare plant species.
There is also a rooftop garden on the roof of Magyar Telekom's headquarters, which the company waters by collecting rainwater.
We also offer numerous products and solutions that can reduce the environmental impacts mentioned above, e.g.:
With the support of the Jane Goodall Institute, we stand up for the habitats of gorillas, and we collect mobile phones together. This is because their production uses raw materials whose mining leads to the destruction of gorilla habitats.
Environmentally friendly solutions
Telekom business network
At Magyar Telekom, we are committed to supporting the operation of our stores with sustainable solutions, thereby creating an environment that our customers are happy to visit.
Over the past few years, we have rolled out the following eco-friendly solutions across our entire retail network:
- Paperless operations - We have phased out flyers in our stores; all contract signings have been transitioned to tablets, and printing is kept to an absolute minimum.
- Recycled paper bags - We only provide store bags made from recycled paper for our customers' newly purchased devices.
- Reusable shopping bags - We have also introduced reusable shopping bags made from recycled PET bottles.
- Energy labeling - In compliance with European Union regulations, starting in mid-June 2025, we displayed energy rating stickers next to every mobile phone and smartwatch in our stores.
Telekom green network
As a company, we are fully aware of our responsibility towards our planet; our network is not only excellent but also green. Since 2016, we have been covering the electricity we use with renewable energy sources. From 2023, the company also procures electricity generated by solar parks in Hungary within the framework of a long-term contract. In addition, we have installed our own solar panels at multiple locations to partially offset the energy consumption of the network.
Further information on the energy efficiency of our network can be found in our integrated report.
Ground Squirrels
Our exemplary project took place during the expansion of our optical cable network, when the planned works affected the habitat of a strictly protected ground squirrel species on the border of Tihany-Sajkod. Due to the planned underground laying for the purpose of building the optical network of Magyar Telekom, it became necessary to relocate the ground squirrels. Instead of endangering the animals' habitat, we successfully carried out the network development with careful planning, cooperation, and the involvement of experts, with official permits. As a result, not a single animal was harmed, and the population can safely continue its life in its new home, while we have successfully implemented the network development. This investment was realized as part of the broadband network development projects, and it clearly shows that technological development and environmental protection can go hand in hand if we proceed with due care and expertise.
Smart Energy Metering at Telekom
Magyar Telekom's self-developed Smart Energy software offers an intelligent approach to energy consumption and production. This complex solution combines real-time data collection with precise forecasting, significantly contributing to our partners' sustainability and climate goals.
Our software not only collects data from devices but also provides real-time information on consumption and production, so our customers can accurately understand their energy usage. Based on the recorded data and current information, we create active forecasts for electricity consumption and production, thereby optimizing energy usage and reducing costs.
Smart Energy also supports financial decisions by accurately calculating energy costs based on collected data and customer tariffs. This enables informed, data-driven decisions in financial planning and energy strategy. In addition, it is capable of generating detailed financial and energy reports, providing a comprehensive picture of costs and consumption, and helping to develop more energy-efficient and sustainable business strategies.
ExtraNet Green 1 GB for 30 days data add-on
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, and we know that the future of our climate is heavily influenced
by today's technological solutions. We want to give our customers the opportunity to choose a service that contributes to
protecting the environment, if they share our commitment to fighting climate change. That is why we created our world-unique
ExtraNet Green 1 GB for 30 days option.
Green 1 GB = mobile data, powered by renewable energy.
Energy Innovation and Smart Solutions
Energy Efficiency
Magyar Telekom places a strong emphasis on energy efficiency and climate resilience in its operations. In December 2024, it completed a 5-year mobile network modernization program, within which all mobile base stations were upgraded.
The following elements were incorporated within this framework:
Heat-resistant accumulators: Improved durability between varying temperature conditions.
Efficient air conditioning and free cooling: Significantly reduced energy consumption for cooling.
These developments not only result in energy savings but also offer solutions to the challenges of climate change at our sites. Reducing energy consumption is an ongoing goal that mitigates financial risks arising from fluctuating energy prices and contributes to achieving emission targets. Key initiatives include the rationalization of equipment and the phasing out of redundant technologies, such as the copper network, in accordance with regulatory requirements.
