Our investments in the network build-out make us one of the biggest investors in the industry. In 2022, we invested around EUR 21 billion Group-wide, primarily in building and operating networks to meet the growing demand for faster, full-coverage data services. However, the network build-out cannot be allowed to lead to an increase in CO₂ emissions and thus accelerate climate change. For this reason, we use energy from renewable sources to decouple CO₂ emissions from energy consumption. In Europe, we have set ourselves the goal of doubling the energy efficiency of our networks by 2024. Above and beyond this, we want to further increase energy efficiency – for instance at our data centers – and thus reduce energy consumption in the medium term despite the expected rise in data consumption (2024 against 2020, excluding T‑Mobile US). The two non-financial performance indicators “energy consumption” and “CO₂ emissions” (Scope 1 and 2) were incorporated into the variable component of our Board of Management’s remuneration in 2021, and in 2022 were also made relevant for our
executives (excluding T‑Mobile US).

In the United States, we are forging ahead with the highly intensive build-out of our 5G network, in particular in rural areas. This initially drives up power consumption. T‑Mobile US, like the Group as a whole, has covered 100 percent of its electricity requirements from renewable energy sources since 2021. There are strong fluctuations in T‑Mobile US’ carbon footprint owing to unforeseeable natural disasters and the associated temporary use of equipment such as diesel generators to restore and back up damaged network infrastructure. Consideration must be given to the special national situation in this key market, which is why the decision was taken, in respect of short-term variable remuneration in 2023, not to include T‑Mobile US in these two non-financial performance indicators. This step ensures that the right incentives are set for the Board of Management toward the sustainable development of the business, while safeguarding the stability of network operations at the same time. This applies equally to Board of Management managers and executives. The annual ambition for the performance indicators “energy consumption” and “CO₂ emissions” will continue to be set, managed, and reported for the entire Group as before, including a target value for T‑Mobile US. In the reporting year, Group-wide energy consumption remained stable year-on-year at 13 253 GWh (prior year: 13 323 GWh). Due in particular to the Group-wide use of electricity from renewable energy sources, CO₂ emissions (Scope 1 and 2) are at a low level and dropped further as a result of our measures to 233 kt CO₂e (prior year: 247 kt CO₂e). The values given for total energy consumption and Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions  are based in part on estimates, assumptions, and extrapolations, and, in part, on data provided by our external energy service providers.