Inside Nokia's Plans for Net Zero by 2040

Nokia has published a data-rich climate transition plan outlining its journey to reach net zero GHG emissions by 2040. 

Approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in January 2025, this strategy builds on more than a decade of progress.

Nokia’s report is placing energy efficiency, circularity and renewable energy at the core of its sustainability agenda.

Subhagata Mukherjee, Chief Sustainability Officer at Nokia, said on LinkedIn: “The journey to a low-carbon, smart, resource-efficient future is by no means easy.

“Its fret with uncertainties around policies and grid decarbonisation, technological advancements and, in the ICT sector, possibilities of disruptive network traffic as the AI supercycle takes hold.”

“That is why controlling and relentlessly working on what each company (and society) can control and having a line of sight on value chain collaborations matter.”

Net zero targets and progress

Nokia’s approach centres on slashing at least 90% of GHG emissions across its value chain, with up to 10% of residual emissions to be neutralised through credible carbon removals.

This encompasses Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and includes:

• 50% absolute reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 (baseline year of 2019)
  
• 100% renewable energy in all Nokia facilities by 2025
  
• Zero emissions from final assembly suppliers by 2030
  
• 95% waste circularity rate across offices, labs and installation sites by 2030
  
• 85% GHG reduction in own facilities by 2025.

Emissions breakdown and drivers

As of 2024, Nokia has already achieved a 36% reduction in total emissions, partly due to its use of 87% renewable energy.

In 2024, it also achieved:

• 56% emissions reduction among final assembly suppliers
  
• 81% circularity rate
  
• 78% GHG reduction in its own facilities

In 2024, Nokia’s total emissions stood at just more than 26 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent, down 36% from 2019. 

The largest contributor (95%) remains the use phase of sold products, highlighting the importance of product energy efficiency. 

Emissions from the company’s own operations (Scope 1 and 2) represent less than 1% of the total footprint.

Scope-based action plans

Scope 1

Nokia has reduced emissions from its facilities by 85% through energy-efficient design, LED lighting and upgrades to heating and cooling systems. 

Its car fleet, now 85% electrified, achieved an 11% emissions reduction in 2024 despite increased mileage. 

By 2030, Nokia aims for 100% electrification and further improvements through mobility-as-a-service models.

Scope 2

By 2024, 87% of Nokia’s global energy consumption came from renewable sources. 

Solar installations, renewable district heating and partnerships for wind and geothermal energy are part of its plan to reach full RE100 compliance by 2025.

Scope 3

Upstream

• Purchased goods and services: Nokia requires final assembly suppliers to reach zero emissions by 2030. It has implemented recycled content programmes and engaged suppliers through CDP and EcoVadis platforms.
  
• Logistics: Nokia aims for a 73% reduction in logistics emissions by 2030. In 2024, it offset 1% of airfreight emissions using sustainable aviation fuel and reduced airfreight volumes via multimodal solutions, with 25% coverage in the MEA region.
  
• Business travel: Emissions have been cut by 57% since 2019. Policies include green travel budgets, train-over-air policies and promoting electric rentals. By 2040, Nokia aims to integrate AI itinerary planning and low-carbon transport innovations.

Downstream

Customer use accounts for 95% of Nokia’s emissions. 

Planned improvements include:

• 31% energy efficiency gain in mobile networks since 2019
  
• AI-powered solutions such as MantaRay Energy Saving Modules
  
• New IP routing and optical technologies cutting energy use by 40%–75% across product lines.

Nokia targets 95% circularity by 2030, focusing on recycled materials, packaging reuse and waste reduction in transport and logistics. 

In parallel, the company is launching its first carbon dioxide removal (CDR) pilot projects in 2025. 

These adhere to Oxford Category V principles for permanence and verifiability.

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