Zain Group has cemented its position as a regional leader in sustainability, achieving the highest ‘A’ score in the CDP Climate Change 2025 disclosure cycle. This recognition highlights the company’s unwavering commitment to environmental accountability and ambitious climate action initiatives across the Middle East and Africa. In a world increasingly focused on corporate responsibility and mitigating the effects of climate change, Zain’s achievement sets a new benchmark for the telecommunications industry and demonstrates the viability of sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Zain Group Achieves Leadership in Climate Action with Top CDP Score
The CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) is a globally recognized non-profit that assesses companies’ environmental performance. Its scoring system is rigorous, demanding transparency and demonstrable action towards established climate goals. Zain’s attainment of an ‘A’ score signifies that the company goes beyond simply disclosing data; it actively manages and reduces its environmental impact with a robust and credible strategy. This is particularly noteworthy as the average score for telecom companies and data centers is ‘B’ and ‘C’ respectively, placing Zain significantly ahead of its peers.
Out of 252 global telecommunications companies disclosing their climate data, only 30 received an ‘A’ score. Zain’s inclusion in this elite group – representing the top 12% of the industry – underscores the effectiveness of its approach and its dedication to a sustainable future. Importantly, Zain is the only company based in Kuwait to achieve this level of recognition.
A Strengthened Commitment to Decarbonization and Net Zero
Zain’s success with CDP isn’t a sudden development. It’s the result of a five-year journey of progressively strengthening its climate action strategy. Bader Al-Kharafi, Zain Vice Chairman and Group CEO, emphasized that addressing climate change is a fundamental responsibility for all organizations. He stated the company believes sustainable growth and climate leadership are inextricably linked, and that this commitment will deliver value to all stakeholders.
The company’s commitment is centered around achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050, a goal validated by alignment with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This involves a multi-faceted approach encompassing:
- Renewable Energy Expansion: Significant investment in solar and hybrid energy solutions for network sites.
- Energy Efficiency Initiatives: Continuous improvements in energy consumption across data centers and operational facilities.
- Climate Risk Management: Proactive assessment and mitigation of risks related to rising temperatures, water scarcity, and energy infrastructure volatility.
- Climate Transition Plan: A recently launched, practical roadmap detailing phased steps towards Net Zero.
Jennifer Suleiman, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Mohammed AlMurshed, Chief Technology Officer, jointly highlighted the rigor and transparency embedded in Zain’s climate governance and operational execution. They emphasized the importance of SBTi-aligned targets and comprehensive climate-risk management across the entire value chain.
Addressing Unique Challenges in the Middle East and Africa
Zain operates in a region particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Many of its markets face increasing challenges from extreme weather events like heatwaves, droughts, and floods. This necessitates a proactive approach to environmental sustainability that goes beyond emissions reduction to include building resilience into its network infrastructure and operations.
The rapid expansion of data usage, driven by the increasing adoption of 5G and the growth of data centers, presents a further challenge. These technologies are inherently energy-intensive, requiring a delicate balance between meeting connectivity demands and minimizing environmental impact. Zain is actively working to decouple growth from emissions through innovative solutions and a commitment to energy efficiency. Sustainable technology is at the heart of this strategy.
Five Years of Progress: Key Milestones
Zain’s commitment to climate action is backed by tangible results. Here’s a look at some key achievements over the past five years:
- 2020: 10% reduction in CO₂ emissions per terabyte of data traffic, deployment of over 1,000 solar-powered base stations, and 14% energy savings across data centers.
- 2021: Achieved an A- CDP rating and set a target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030.
- 2022: Launched a Group-wide Climate Change Compliance Framework and installed solar hybrid systems across 400+ network sites.
- 2023: Deployed 338 hybrid energy solutions and migrated 55 sites to solar power, strengthening alignment with SBTi.
- 2024: Deployed 242 solar solutions and 96 hybrid battery systems, reducing diesel fuel consumption by 7.5% and achieving $11.4 million in operating expenditure savings.
Leading by Example and Inspiring Regional Change
Zain’s latest CDP recognition is more than just an accolade; it’s a powerful demonstration of leadership. By achieving an ‘A’ score, the company is setting a positive example for other corporations in the region, encouraging them to prioritize corporate climate action and adopt data-driven sustainability practices.
The company’s involvement with initiatives like the Kuwait Green Building Council (KGBC) further reinforces its commitment to accelerating emissions reduction and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. Zain’s proactive approach and transparent reporting are paving the way for a more sustainable future for the telecommunications industry and the communities it serves.
In conclusion, Zain Group’s achievement of an ‘A’ score from CDP is a testament to its dedication to environmental stewardship and its ability to translate ambition into concrete action. The company’s ongoing investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate resilience position it as a leader in the region and a valuable contributor to global efforts to combat climate change. Zain’s journey serves as an inspiring example for other organizations seeking to integrate sustainability into their core business strategies and create long-term value for all stakeholders.
