Sustainability LIVE Dubai: Ericsson Sustainability Head MEA
Ericsson’s global sustainability leadership came into focus during a fireside chat at Sustainability LIVE Dubai 2025, where Ayub Osman, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility (MEA) at Ericsson, spoke about embedding sustainability across the telecoms value chain.
From decarbonising supply chains to developing energy-smart 5G networks, Ayub highlighted how Ericsson’s strategy is driven by deep integration with its core business.
The conversation spanned the company’s net zero targets, supplier alignment, employee engagement and community programmes – all of which underscore how Ericsson treats sustainability not as an initiative, but as a competitive advantage.
Tackling emissions across the full value chain
Ericsson’s biggest environmental challenge is managing emissions from its product lifecycle, Ayub explained.
“The lifetime emissions from what I call the use phase of our products, sold in 2024, represents roughly about 92% of our total value chain emissions.”
This includes emissions from telecoms equipment used by customers, which Ericsson targets through product design, supplier engagement and customer energy efficiency.
In 2024, Ericsson reduced total value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 41% compared to 2023 and 37% compared to its 2020 baseline.
Ayub credited this to “the improvement in the energy performance of our network equipment and a shift in the sales towards markets that are using more renewable energy”.
The company’s 2025 target is to have 350 high-emitting and strategic suppliers set science-based emissions targets. As of the time of the event, 323 suppliers had done so.
Making sustainability a strategic and systemic driver
Asked how Ericsson embeds sustainability into its operations, Ayub said: “Sustainability for us is really central to the purpose and vision and is embedded across our company strategy and operations.”
Ericsson focuses on three pillars: responsible business, environmental sustainability and digital inclusion.
Ayub highlighted that Ericsson’s products are engineered for energy efficiency, not just for compliance, but because “that is what our customers want – high performance at the lowest total cost of ownership.”
Initiatives like the ‘Connect to Learn’ programme have supported more than 500,000 young people across 45 countries and the proportion of women in Ericsson’s workforce rose to 26.5% in 2024.
To cement leadership accountability, the company includes sustainability-related criteria in its long-term executive compensation packages.
Ericsson’s efforts to build energy-smart infrastructure include the ‘Breaking the Energy Curve’ concept – a strategy to decouple data traffic growth from rising energy use.
Its network equipment has already cut energy consumption by 37% at base stations since 2021, with a 40% reduction target by 2025. Innovations include ‘deep sleep’ functionality for base stations, akin to switching off lights in an unused room.
Driving inclusion, agility and circularity across regions
When asked about adapting strategies across diverse global markets, Ayub noted the contrasts between emerging and developed economies in the Middle East and Africa.
“We tailor our solutions to local needs – from energy-smart base stations to circular solutions – to enable customers to grow sustainably and profitably.”
In markets where energy costs are high and infrastructure limited, Ericsson offers ‘smart connected site’ solutions that reduce dependency on diesel and cut fuel-related emissions.
Ayub also emphasised that sustainability and profitability are not competing forces: “It’s not just about being responsible. It’s also being smart about how you're running your business.”
Ericsson’s leadership in sustainability also extends to global standard setting.
“We don’t just meet standards, we shape them,” said Ayub. The company contributes to ITU methodologies and helps define environmental impact benchmarks across the ICT sector, helping peers and customers take steps towards net zero.
One example of regional impact came from the UAE, where Ericsson signed a three-year agreement with Etisalat Group to support the national net zero pledge by 2050.
This included deploying radio systems that cut energy use by 52% per site, equal to 7.6 tonnes of CO₂ saved per site annually. In Egypt, smart connected sites were deployed for remote monitoring, reducing travel-related emissions.
Ayub also cited the Product Takeback programme, which has already recovered around 500 tonnes of electronic waste across operator networks.
Engaging employees and setting long-term ambitions
Ayub made clear that engagement must go beyond executive sponsorship.
“Sustainability must be owned by everyone.” Employees receive a full day each year for volunteering and in 2024, more than 1,400 staff participated in UN World Cleanup Day, collecting two metric tonnes of waste across 40 locations.
Volunteering hours rose by 55%, with activities spanning mentoring, digital skills training, and community campaigns.
Sustainability is also a key element in leadership training and team KPIs, reinforcing a culture of shared responsibility.
“Whether you're a product developer or in sales, everyone has a role,” said Ayub.
Looking ahead, Ericsson has set a target to become net zero across its value chain by 2040, with a near-term goal to halve total emissions and reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90% by 2030.
It also aims for a 40% energy reduction in new radio base stations by 2025 — a goal it is already close to achieving.
Ayub concluded with a powerful reminder: “Technology can drive both business value and sustainability.”
Essential diary dates for 2025
Discover the essential diary dates for Sustainability Magazine.
To follow Sustainability LIVE on LinkedIn, click here.
To enter for the Global Sustainability & ESG Awards, click here.
- Sustainability LIVE London | 9-10 September
- The Global Sustainability & ESG Awards | 10 September
- Sustainability LIVE: Climate Week NYC | 22 September
- Sustainability LIVE: COP 30 Brazil | 11 November
Explore the latest edition of Sustainability Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Sustainability LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.
Sustainability Magazine is a BizClik brand
