The Cellnex global strategy to combat climate change

Climate change is an increasingly real threat to the management of natural resources and biodiversity, posing a growing challenge to organisations on the path to sustainability. In this context, sustainable development is the best opportunity for companies to steer their growth towards environmentally-friendly strategies. On this premise, in 2015 the United Nations launched Agenda 2030, a roadmap that includes 17 goals and 169 targets as tools for change at international level. In that connection, more and more companies are integrating their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their day-to-day corporate operational strategy.

Since the foundation of Cellnex in 2015, we have worked to integrate the management of the environment and climate change into our general strategy, to ensure that in every project and measure we consider the balance between seeking profitability and social and environmental development, promoting sustained value creation in the short, medium and long term.

We are also aware that our business can be expanded only if we develop it sustainably, managing the impact that our activity has not only on customers, employees and suppliers, but also on the environment and our social and economic landscape.

One of the challenges we face at Cellnex is to improve day by day until we achieve zero emissions in our business activity. Accordingly, mitigating and adapting to climate change is one of the strategic lines of the company’s Sustainability Plan, approved in accordance with the basic principles established in the Group’s Global Policy on Environment and Climate Change. This has enabled us to devise measures such as a full screening of Scope 3 emissions (indirect emissions), offsetting of all Scope 1 emissions (direct emissions), a Global Mobility study, analysis of the climate scenarios of all countries, and identification and assessment of the risks and opportunities of climate change, according to the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

One of the most effective mechanisms for preventing adverse impacts is the efficient management of resources. To that end, we promote responsible consumption of energy and water, and we work to optimise processes and promote cleaner operating cycles. Under the Energy Transition Plan we have made certified agreements for the supply of 100% green electricity (in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) and we have adapted contracts for long-term green energy purchase in Spain. In addition, the establishment of science-based targets (SBTs) will enable the Group to convert 100% of its electricity consumption to a renewable source by 2025. We are also working on our Net-Zero strategy, committing to being emissions-neutral by 2050.

Another aspect that threatens to aggravate the consequences of climate change is the loss of biodiversity. In that connection, part of our environmental commitment is focused on preserving natural areas; for example, we have implemented an application that can analyse and manage infrastructure located in areas protected under the Natura 2000 Network, a European ecological network of biodiversity conservation areas.

The Cellnex commitment to the environment extends throughout the entire value chain, from our suppliers to waste management, thereby enabling us to understand and manage their environmental impacts.

Àngels Ucero

Global Management System Director at Cellnex