Working with clients on the transition to net zero

I wrote recently about sustainability. About how it is our moral responsibility to minimize our environmental impact by sourcing energy from renewable sources. How we are investing in green data centers and network infrastructure because customers demand it. And how our digitalization services will play a crucial role in decoupling economic growth from carbon emission, to build a greener tomorrow.

I also wrote that we will realize our sustainability goals together with clients and partners along the supply chain. Because no company can tackle the climate crisis alone. Against this background, I’m pleased that on 30th June, Shell and T-Systems signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen our digital cooperation and drive forward our companies’ transitions to net zero.

Focus on digitalization and green innovations

This agreement builds upon the existing long-term strategic IT collaboration between Shell and T-Systems. ?As such, T-Systems will collaborate closely with Shell in order to accelerate their digital transformation – updating their IT infrastructure and moving more of their operations from the physical world into the cloud. Our companies will also work together to identify opportunities to co-invest in new business models which focus on the decarbonization of the economy.

Our collaboration also commits to exploring areas of potential green innovation. For example, Shell recently installed a liquid-cooling system as specific immersion technique at one of our data centers in Amsterdam, as we look into ways to increase our energy efficiency. And Shell affiliates NewMotion and ubitricity have awarded contracts which will see Deutsche Telekom field engineers install over 10,000 electric vehicle chargers in Germany over the next three years. Looking ahead, we see exciting potential for sustainability gains in the areas of 5G and edge computing.

We’re leveraging our working relationships to benefit all of society. For their part, Shell are keen to expand their offering of low-carbon products – from renewable electricity to hydrogen – as part of their target to become a net-zero emissions energy business. Their customers’ energy choices, reflecting their corporate responsibility commitments, will be crucial in enabling this shift. Across industry, government and wider society, we must take this challenge on together – along the value chain with partners and clients. Because no company can tackle the climate crisis alone.