Vodafone Idea (Vi) accelerated its sustainability initiatives during FY2025-26 by combining technology-led carbon reduction, energy-efficient network operations, stronger ESG governance, and responsible digital infrastructure.
The Indian telecom operator reduced greenhouse gas emissions, expanded renewable energy sourcing, deployed AI-powered energy optimization, and strengthened workplace safety and governance as part of its broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy.
The company’s greenhouse gas emissions continued to decline during the year. Scope 1 emissions decreased to 7,934.24 tCO₂e in FY2025-26 from 8,537.88 tCO₂e in FY2024-25, while Scope 2 emissions fell to 301,210.40 tCO₂e from 336,218.27 tCO₂e. Combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions intensity improved to 0.0000007 tCO₂e per rupee of turnover, compared with 0.0000008 tCO₂e a year earlier. On a purchasing power parity basis, emissions intensity improved to 0.00001417 tCO₂e per dollar from 0.00001650 tCO₂e per dollar.
Vodafone Idea has not announced a formal net-zero target or target year in its FY2025-26 Annual Report. Instead, the company continues to pursue emissions reductions through its Energy and Carbon Management Policy, focusing on energy-efficient telecom infrastructure, procurement of energy-efficient equipment, encouraging infrastructure partners to adopt lower-carbon operations, and improving energy efficiency across network facilities.
A key milestone during FY2025-26 was the deployment of an AI-powered Self-Organizing Network (AI-SON) platform, which enabled a 10 percent reduction in energy consumption across network sites by automatically optimizing power usage based on network traffic. The company also continued improving energy efficiency by deploying advanced 4G and 5G infrastructure and intelligent power management systems that reduce energy intensity while supporting rising data traffic.
Renewable energy also became a larger part of Vodafone Idea’s sustainability strategy. During FY2025-26, the company directly sourced 51 million kWh of renewable energy and strengthened its clean energy portfolio by acquiring a 26 percent equity stake in Sangli Wind Energy. The captive wind power project supports cleaner electricity supply for telecom operations. The company also announced plans to deploy 12 million smart metering solutions over the next three years to improve energy monitoring and support India’s energy transition.
Vodafone Idea further enhanced the efficiency of its digital infrastructure by adding approximately 1.3 Tbps of enterprise network capacity across data centres, enabling more efficient data transmission and resource utilization. Through its Vi Protect cybersecurity platform, the company intercepted nearly 2 billion suspected spam calls and messages while blocking around 250,000 malicious domains, improving digital security and reducing unnecessary network traffic.
ESG governance remained under board-level oversight through the Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Committee, chaired by Neena Gupta and supported by Sunirmal Talukdar, Rajat Kumar Jain, and Ravinder Takkar.
The company’s social sustainability efforts focused on employee safety and inclusion. Vodafone Idea reported zero workplace fatalities during FY2025-26, continued improving its Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate through stronger safety practices, and increased female workforce representation to 19.6 percent. Employee well-being initiatives, leadership development, diversity programs, and Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) awareness remained integral to its people strategy.
Vodafone Idea has not disclosed renewable electricity share, renewable energy capacity, renewable power generation figures, or a formal net-zero roadmap. Vodafone Idea’s FY2025-26 annual report demonstrates measurable progress in reducing operational emissions, expanding renewable energy use, improving network energy efficiency through artificial intelligence, strengthening ESG governance, and advancing responsible digital operations.
SHAFANA FAZAL