Vodafone Group Plc sustainability score: 53/100

Vodafone reports full Scope 1 and 2 emissions under GHG Protocol with Ernst & Young limited assurance. FY25 Scope 1+2 was 0.27 million tCO2e, down 60.8% year-on-year. Multi-year tracking since FY20 with granular breakdown by market. Publicly disclosed in Annual Report, ESG Addendum, and CDP A-list questionnaire.

Vodafone quantifies all material Scope 3 categories (FY25: 6.61 million tCO2e) using supplier-specific CDP data and spend-based EEIO. Engages 8,500+ suppliers with 20% ESG weighting in RFQs and requires key suppliers to set 1.5°C targets. Methodology detailed in ESG Addendum. Data quality limitations for product-specific footprints noted.

Scope 1+2 fell 84% below FY20 baseline to 0.27m tCO2e. Scope 3 showed 8% year-on-year decrease in FY25, but Vodafone's own Climate Transition Plan acknowledged an upward Scope 3 trend. FY25 decline partly driven by equity stake disposals (e.g., Indus Towers), not purely operational decarbonisation.

Vodafone matched 100% of grid electricity globally with renewables in FY25 as RE100 member. Europe has 100% certified renewable since July 2021 via PPAs, green tariffs, RECs, and on-site solar. Targets 20-40% renewable via PPAs by 2030. Some markets rely on cross-border REC purchases and off-grid diesel remains in Africa.

Vodafone has assessed nature and biodiversity dependencies and runs a three-year WWF partnership (since November 2022) including '1 million phones for the planet' campaign. Developed mTwiga digital solution for human-wildlife conflict prevention in Africa. No TNFD-aligned disclosure, quantified nature footprint, or deforestation-free commitment with third-party verification.

Vodafone achieved FY25 target to reuse, resell, or recycle 100% of decommissioned network equipment. WWF phone collection campaign gathered approximately 700,000 devices. Reports network and hazardous waste; holds ISO 14001 accreditations. Company acknowledges not all materials are fully recovered in recycling.

Vodafone reports water consumption and tracks withdrawal in water-stressed countries using WRI Aqueduct database. Calculates and discloses water intensity metrics. Recognises telecoms is low water-impact relative to other sectors. Monitors usage but has not published specific reduction targets or stewardship programme.

Vodafone's SBTi-validated targets: 90% Scope 1+2 reduction by 2030 (1.5°C), 50% Scope 3 reduction by 2030, net-zero by 2040 with 90% absolute reduction. Reduction-first approach; offsets limited to <10% residual emissions using ICVCM Core Carbon Principles. Regional net-zero targets set; Vodafone Germany achieved net-zero operations in FY25.

Board-level ESG Committee oversees sustainability. 3.3% of executive long-term incentive linked to climate metrics. Publishes annual ESG Addendum, Methodology, Climate Transition Plan, and CDP A-list questionnaire. Ernst & Young provides limited assurance. Reports to GRI, SASB, TCFD; EcoVadis rated 83/100 (top 1%). No mission-locked structure; climate pay link relatively small.

No greenwashing fines or regulatory actions identified. NewClimate Institute (2022) rated Vodafone 'moderate integrity.' InfluenceMap notes Vodafone's membership in BusinessEurope, which 'actively negages negatively on climate policy in EU,' and chairman chairs European Round Table for Industry with 'mixed engagement.' No formal review of association climate alignment published. COP27 sponsorship drew minor criticism.