actions

“Be the change you want to see in the world,” Mahatma Gandhi

on-going awareness for our staff

We conduct training and awareness actions about the environment involving all our staff members in France and internationally. Our programs help every staff member better understand the current and future environmental factors at stake and to consider these factors on a day-to-day basis.

We implemented a “1001 gestures” operation from June to November 2006 as an in-house campaign to encourage staff to adopt eco-friendly actions as part of their work activities.

optimizing energy consumption

We have adopted a comprehensive approach to energy consumption for various activities. Optimized ventilation, a solution patented by France Telecom, helps us make the most of lower night temperatures and the thermal inertia of our buildings. The system reduces energy consumption and helps us avoid using air conditioning systems that cause gas emissions. As of the end of 2006, there were 260 facilities in France using optimized ventilation.

renewable energy sources

For over thirty years, France Telecom has participated in research to apply renewable energy to its activities. In 1975, we implemented our first solar panel facility in New Caledonia; in 2006, 7% of the group’s energy was generated from renewable sources, which reduced CO₂ emissions by 152,000 tons.

managing products at the end of their service life

In accordance with environmental standards, we have implemented collection and processing activities adapted to each type of waste. Where possible, we extend the service life of products and equipment and promote solutions that achieve an optimum balance between environmental efficiency and cost control.

installation surveillance

Even though our activities do not constitute a major risk for the environment, we carefully monitor all equipment that might harm the environment such as fuel tanks and cooling systems. For example, we are replacing single-layer tanks, used for oil-based product storage with dual-layer tanks offering enhanced protection for the surrounding earth and groundwater.

200,000 tons of CO₂ saved in 2006

7% of the energy used by the Group is renewable: over 152,000 tons of CO₂ emissions were avoided
7,000 new green vehicles (with CO₂ emissions of below 130g/km) in 2006: nearly 3,000 tons of CO₂ emissions were avoided
enhanced usage of video and audio conferencing in the group: in 2006, 1.2 million trips precluded 24,000 tons of CO₂ emissions; in 2005, 750,000 business trips were avoided and 15,000 tons of CO₂ emissions were precluded;
in 2006, remote presence applications used in Orange Labs reduced the number of business trips taken that year and precluded 2,000 tons of CO₂ emissions