Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Orange score?

Orange discloses full Scope 1 (350,581t) and Scope 2 market-based (679,483t) emissions for FY2024 in its Universal Registration Document, following GHG Protocol methodology. Data is verified by KPMG and audited by Carbone 4 consultancy across 26 countries. Multi-year tracking since 2015 with granular breakdown by building, fleet, and network/IS categories. The 38.6% reduction in S1+2 vs 2015 is well documented.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Orange score?

Orange reports Scope 3 emissions (4,751,327t CO2e in 2024) covering 10 of 15 GHG Protocol categories, with purchased goods & services as the largest category at 24% of Scope 3. The company has launched a 'Partners to net zero carbon' program engaging its 35 largest suppliers representing 60% of purchasing-related emissions. Scope 3 has declined 18.7% since 2018. However, full value chain mapping across all 15 categories is not yet complete, and there is a data discrepancy between sources on exac

Emissions Trajectory: How does Orange score?

Orange achieved a 38.6% absolute reduction in Scope 1+2 emissions by end 2024 vs 2015, surpassing its 30% by 2025 target two years early. Scope 3 has declined 18.7% since 2018. However, year-on-year data for 2024 shows Scope 1+2 operational emissions actually increased 4.73% versus 2023, with Scope 1 rising 7.7% YoY, suggesting recent trajectory challenges despite the long-term decline. Scope 3 remained relatively flat vs 2023. The overall long-term multi-year absolute reduction is genuine but t

Energy Source: How does Orange score?

In 2024, nearly 50% of Orange's total electricity consumption came from renewable sources globally. In Europe, long-term PPAs and Guarantees of Origin cover over 75% of electricity needs. Spain is at 100% renewable via PPAs. Orange has PPAs in France, Spain, and Poland covering ~1,000 GWh/year. In Africa/Middle East, over 12,000 solar-powered telecom sites exist. However, the global average is still around 50%, not yet at 90%+, and operations in Africa still rely heavily on diesel generators alo

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Orange score?

Orange launched the 'Orange Nature' carbon fund with Mirova in 2022 for reforestation and ecosystem restoration projects (afforestation, mangroves, agroforestry), with specific attention to biodiversity. However, no TNFD-aligned disclosure or quantified nature footprint has been identified. Telecoms infrastructure can impact biodiversity through antenna sites and cable routes, but this is relatively low impact compared to extractive industries. Orange demonstrates awareness and some action but l

Resource Use & Waste: How does Orange score?

Orange operates several circular economy programs: the 'Re' program for mobile device recycling, buyback, and refurbished sales (29% collection rate across European countries in 2024, 5%+ refurbished device sales in France); the OSCAR program for technical equipment refurbishment (725,000 pieces handled); and eco-design commitments (Livebox 7 certified by Bureau Veritas with recycled materials). 65% of radio sites are shared infrastructure. These are solid programs for a telecom operator, but no

Water Impact: How does Orange score?

No specific water consumption data, quantified water footprint, or water management programme was identified in Orange's public disclosures. Telecommunications is a relatively low water-intensity industry, with water use primarily limited to cooling in data centres and general office use. Orange's two newest data centres use 'free cooling' (outdoor air), reducing water-intensive air conditioning by 80%. However, the absence of any published water metrics or targets, even for a low-impact sector,

Targets & Commitments: How does Orange score?

Orange has SBTi-validated near-term (2030) and long-term (2040) targets approved in June 2024, aligned with 1.5°C. The net zero 2040 target requires 90% absolute reduction across all scopes vs 2020 baseline, with only residual emissions addressed by carbon sequestration through the Orange Nature fund. All targets are absolute, not intensity-based. The 2025 interim targets have been largely met ahead of schedule. The 2040 target is one of the most ambitious in the telecom sector, 10 years ahead o

Transparency & Accountability: How does Orange score?

Orange publishes a 2024 Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF (French market regulator) including a full Sustainability Statement under CSRD. The company has a dedicated Executive VP for CSR (Elizabeth Tchoungui), board-level oversight, and non-financial reporting since 2017. Emissions are verified by KPMG and Carbone 4. Orange holds a Sustainalytics-reviewed Sustainability Financing Framework. First standalone sustainability report was produced in 2024. However, no evidence of exec

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Orange score?

Starting at 8. No significant environmental greenwashing lawsuits or regulatory actions were found against Orange. The France Telecom suicides trial (employee harassment, convictions upheld 2022) is a serious social controversy but not environmental. On lobbying, InfluenceMap records 'high engagement on climate policy with both positive and negative positioning' — Orange supported EU renewable deployment but opposed two-way Contracts for Difference for mature renewables, representing a mixed rec

Orange Sustainability Score: 49/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

Orange·Telecommunications·Issy-les-Moulineaux, France·Founded 1988·Last verified 22 April 2026

out of 100

Making progressPending Review

Orange has credible absolute emissions reductions and SBTi-validated 2040 net-zero targets, but recent year-on-year operational emissions rose 4.7%, undercutting momentum claims. Water footprint is entirely unreported. Supply chain mapping remains incomplete across 15 GHG categories, and nature impact lacks quantification despite a reforestation fund.

No challenges currently filed

The calculation

Every score shows its working.

Same formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.

SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale

Industry base impact

Telecommunications sector ceiling.

55 / 100

Performance score

Sum of the 10 rubric questions, scored 0–10 each.

61 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 55) + (0.7 × 61) = 59.2

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.82

Final score

Rounded. Making progress.

49 / 100

The ten questions

Where Orange is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Targets & Commitments (8/10, 8/10). Weakest on Water Impact and Nature & Biodiversity Impact (3/10, 4/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

12 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.

[1]Third-party verified

Orange GHG Emissions Data – Tracenable

Ongoing

Q1Q2Q3

View →

[2]Self-reported

Net Zero Carbon by 2040 – Orange Official

Ongoing

Q1Q6

View →

[3]Self-reported

Net Zero Carbon Target Focus: Scope 3 – Orange Newsroom

2024

Q2Q6

View →

[4]Self-reported

Reducing CO2 – Orange Official

Ongoing

Q3Q4Q7

View →

[5]Self-reported

Orange Steps Up Efforts to Reduce Energy Consumption Across Europe – Orange Newsroom

Unknown

View →

[6]Self-reported

Orange Launches Orange Nature Carbon Fund – Orange Newsroom

2022

View →

[7]Third-party verified

SBTi Validates Orange's Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets – Orange Newsroom

2024

View →

[8]Third-party verified

Orange Climate Targets – Tracenable

Ongoing

View →

[9]Self-reported

Publication of the 2024 Universal Registration Document – Orange Newsroom

2024

View →

[10]Self-reported

Non-Financial Information – Orange Official

Ongoing

View →

[11]Third-party verified

Orange Climate Lobbying – InfluenceMap

Ongoing

Q10

View →

[12]Public record

Orange S.A. Suicides – Wikipedia

Unknown

Q10

View →

If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.

Orange in context

Where Orange sits among telecommunications peers.

Among the 11 major telecommunications brands we've scored, Orange sits 6th of 11.

6/11

Orange's rank

Industry average

Industry low

Industry high

10Huawei Technologies

11Verizon Communications

How this score has moved

Orange's score over time.

Score history begins 4 April 2026.

As Orange's score updates, the trajectory will appear here.

We're backfilling historical scores for FTSE 100 and S&P 100 companies over the coming weeks.

What's being contested

This score is not currently being contested.

Every challenge is published. We'd rather be corrected than wrong — that's the whole point.

No challenges submitted yet. If you have evidence that contradicts this score, you can challenge any question above — cite a public source and we'll review it.

About Orange

Orange is a French multinational telecommunications company operating fixed-line, mobile, and internet services across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. It is one of Europe's largest telecom operators by revenue and customer base, serving 290 million customers globally.

Founded

1988

Headquarters

Issy-les-Moulineaux, France

Employees

~127,000 (2024)

Annual revenue

~€40.3B

Company website ↗

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