In this first edition of the initiative, the business association for the promotion of innovation and technological cooperation in the country, COTEC, focused on the dimension of sustainability as a key factor for business competitiveness.
"The Innovative Evolution status is a signal to the market of the importance of good ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) risk management practices and the commitment of companies to future generations," reads the association's online page.
Now that the results have been released, Altice's innovation hub, based in Aveiro, was one of the 61 companies - out of more than 1,000 that, having already received the COTEC Innovator label in the past, were invited to apply for this new distinction - that saw their progress in the area of sustainability recognized. The company's achievements over the course of 2023 were decisive in being awarded Innovadora Evolution status, namely:
- Electricity consumption using 100% renewable energies
- 7 MWh of energy from autonomous production
- 28% reduction in direct greenhouse gas emissions at Altice Labs facilities
- 34% reduction in indirect greenhouse gas emissions
- Increase in hazardous and non-hazardous waste sent for recycling from over 10,000 kg to around 27,000 kg
In addition to the environmental aspect, Altice Labs ' commitment to good ESG practices was also reflected in social issues, with results demonstrated in the reduction of the gender pay gap and the number of men who took family leave outnumbering women - 17 against 11. People and the environment are two of the pillars on which all of Altice Labs' activities are based, as it has historically been committed to balancing its activity with the global goals of preserving the planet and improving society in general.
The dimension of sustainability has also guided the manufacturing and design processes of Altice Labs' hardware products, namely by: incorporating reusable plastic (PCR) into various pieces of equipment (e.g. router, box); reducing the number of painted or glued parts that limit plastic recycling; removing single-use plastic (plastic packaging); using components that have longer useful lives; reducing the volume of boxes; reducing the complexity of parts, enabling simple replacement of materials; and increasing the process of repairing and restoring units.
The company, recognized as an innovator for the technology it develops and for the leading role it plays in the telecommunications sector in Portugal and worldwide, will continue to strive to bring this innovative character to bear on mitigating the environmental risks facing the planet and society.