Huawei has announced the launch of a pilot sustainability scheme to help its global supply chain go green.
A pilot scheme is currently underway among 24 suppliers. The program will be extended to cover more suppliers gradually by which time environmental performance will become a prerequisite for future commercial relationships.
Huawei also published its 2013 Sustainability Report, which revealed that the company reduced its own energy consumption by a further 42 million kWh in 2013, the equivalent of avoiding an additional 38,000 tons of carbon emissions.
The company also succeeded in reducing power consumption in 2013 by 10-40% lower than 2012 when used in a customer’s network. Huawei has incorporated green ICT concepts into the entire lifecycle of all products.
In recognition of these global sustainability efforts, in 2013, Huawei was named one of China’s Top 100 Green Companies by the Chinese Entrepreneur Club, and received a best practice award from the United Nations Global Compact Network China.
Huawei has also invested heavily in the sustainable innovation of products. In 2013, it invested more than US$5 billion in research and development, much of this targeting improved environmental performance.
Looking to the future, Huawei will embrace the sustainability opportunities of the circular economy, where products are designed from the beginning to be as recyclable as possible.
“For Huawei, it is not enough to be commercially successful. We strongly feel that we must make social contributions in the 170 countries worldwide where we operate and be committed to minimizing our own carbon footprint as well as that of our customers and supply chain partners,” said Alex Deng, chairman of the Corporate Sustainable Development Committee, at Huawei.
Deng added that Huawei’s sustainability strategy is built on four pillars: bridging the digital divide, supporting stable and secure network operations, promoting environmental protection, and seeking win-win development.
editor@greentechlead.com