Orange Flex

Orange flex case study. The challenges

The overriding goal of Orange Polska, as part of the #OrangeGoesGreen approach, is to achieve zero net carbon for the entire organization by 2040.* (*Net zero carbon – eliminating own direct and indirect emissions, as well as emissions in the entire value chain).

Stage 1:
– CO2 emission reduction by as much as 65% until 2025 compared to 2015; 

Mainly due to the increase of the share of renewable energy consumed by Orange Polska to min. 60%.

Orange requested Climate&Strategy to calculate the carbon footprint of their latest cell phone plan, Orange Flex.

The aim of the project was to determine:

• How Orange Flex impacts the environment
• What activities must be planned to fully compensate for this impact

Actions taken

The Orange Flex offer has been designed to be fully digital. The sales and onboarding process is done online, using a dedicated mobile app, so it can be more environmentally friendly:

Orange flex case study: The carbon footprint calculation process:

How did we calculate the carbon footprint for Orange Flex?

When calculating the carbon footprint, we took into account:

1. All telecommunications services included in Orange Flex plan, i.e. telephone calls, SMS/MMS, Internet (both in Poland and in roaming).

2. The process of distribution of the SIM card to the customer:

• personal pick-up at the Orange Sales Service Point

• own collection at third-party points

• courier delivery

3. The process of downloading the Orange Flex application (along with its updates).

The carbon footprint of Orange Flex (telecommunications service, physical SIM card with delivery and downloading the application) is 3,273 kg of CO₂e per user monthly.

Project scope

The carbon footprint included all direct and indirect emissions except those from exempt activities.

As a result of carbon footprint calculations and subsequent discussions, the vision of Orange Flex was born as the first climate-neutral telecommunications service in Poland.

Final product

• Independent verification of Orange’s commitment to continuously reduce emissions.

• Carbon Footprint Calculation Certificate according to GHG Protocol. Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard, September 2011. World Resources Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Climate neutrality of Orange Flex:

the emission mitigation and compensation strategy in practice

Since young trees can absorb up to 7 tons of CO₂ per year^[1], Orange Flex partnered with the Foundation Las na Zawsze (Forest Forever) to plant 10,000 m² of biodiverse and nature-managed forest in Kashubia, northern Poland, together with Orange Flex.

In addition, the operator also decided to offset greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing Gold Standard certificates.

The Orange Flex offer is provided using electricity generated from renewable energy sources, i.e., wind farms. The operator also plans to increase educational activities to encourage customers to engage in joint ecological activities with Orange.

EXPERT’S PERSPECTIVE

“What is extremely important in calculating carbon footprint is to correctly select the functional unit. It reflects the amount or way in which a product, or a service are used the consumer and the related benefits. What is more, a correctly selected functional unit allows comparing the carbon footprint of a product with other product and services. Orange Poland had quality data on its Flex Offer, which made my work so much easier. Additionally, the project team was involved in verifying the project map that is critical for determining the boundaries for carbin footprint calculation.”

Sources:

^[1] – https://www.gdansk.lasy.gov.pl/aktualnosci/-/asset_publisher/1M8a/content/rola-lasow-w-obiegu-wegla-w-przyrodzie; data dostępu: 31.05.2021