Sustainability has long been a core strength of Nokia. Through our work in connectivity, we seek to create positive outcomes for both society and the environment. Nokia has voluntarily disclosed its sustainability performance through its People and Planet reporting since 1999.
Our commitment has continued to evolve over the years. In 2017, Nokia became the first telecommunications equipment provider to have a 2030 climate target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In 2023, sustainability was formally incorporated into our corporate strategy and linked to our incentive framework. The following year, Nokia became one of the first companies in the ICT industry to establish SBTi-validated Net Zero targets for 2040.
Our sustainability efforts have also received significant external recognition. In 2025, Corporate Knights ranked Nokia as the most sustainable company in the communications industry. Nokia was also ranked 37th among the world’s most sustainable companies by TIME and Statista and was recognized by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the ninth consecutive time. In 2026, TIME and Statista ranked Nokia fourth among the world’s most sustainable companies.
Our sustained efforts to integrate sustainability into both our technologies and operations have strengthened the confidence of customers and investors. They have also supported regulatory compliance and contributed to greater resilience throughout our supply chain. At the same time, expectations are changing rapidly. Customers are placing greater emphasis on sustainability, regulatory obligations are becoming more demanding, and stakeholders are seeking greater transparency and measurable progress.
Sustainability has therefore become an increasingly important factor in technology purchasing decisions. It is also a strategic consideration for investors seeking to understand and manage environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and performance. Beyond this, sustainability contributes to supply chain resilience and enables businesses to respond more effectively to challenges and opportunities related to climate change, the circular economy, and unequal access to digital connectivity.
The telecommunications industry is entering an AI-driven period of accelerated growth. Against this backdrop, Nokia’s guiding ambition of advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world provides a clear direction for the future. As the business environment changes, we are strengthening our sustainability approach so that it not only addresses risks but also supports business performance, innovation, and growth.
Our ambition is to become the most trusted connectivity partner while promoting innovation and resilience in support of a sustainable future.
Nokia’s Sustainability Strategy
Nokia’s sustainability strategy is built around the recognition that our role as a trusted provider of network connectivity technologies gives us a significant opportunity to distinguish ourselves through responsible and sustainable business practices.
The strategy is organized around four impact areas and four key enablers. Together, these areas are designed to address Nokia’s environmental and social impacts, manage emerging risks, respond to changing customer expectations, and capture new opportunities arising from sustainability.
Four Impact Areas 1. Decarbonization and the Circular Transition
Nokia is stepping up efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout its value chain, with the objective of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2040. We are also working toward achieving 95% circularity in waste by 2030 while increasing the proportion of recycled materials incorporated into our products.
2. Bridging the Digital Divide
Approximately 3.4 billion people remain either unconnected or underserved in terms of internet access, according to the GSMA. Limited connectivity can increase people's vulnerability to climate-related emergencies and contribute to economic and social exclusion.
Nokia aims to support its customers in connecting 2 billion mobile subscribers and 140 million new fiber-to-the-home customers by 2030. Beyond expanding network access, our objective is to encourage wider digital adoption and help underserved communities gain greater access to the benefits of connectivity.
3. Supply Chain Resilience
Nokia operates a global supply chain involving thousands of suppliers across more than 100 countries and annual expenditure running into billions of euros. This extensive network presents both opportunities and potential risks.
In an increasingly volatile global environment, Nokia intends to strengthen its responsible sourcing practices and sustainable supply chain initiatives. These efforts are intended to promote compliance, improve resilience, and ensure that the company can continue meeting the increasingly demanding expectations of its customers and stakeholders.
4. Responsible Use of Technology
Technologies such as artificial intelligence, 6G, and quantum computing are becoming increasingly important to digital sovereignty and national competitiveness. As these technologies develop, ensuring that they are created and deployed responsibly becomes an increasingly important differentiator.
Nokia therefore aims to strengthen its position as a trusted technology provider by emphasizing responsible innovation and demonstrating high standards in the development and deployment of emerging technologies.
Four Key Enablers Customer Engagement
Nokia will deepen its engagement with strategic customers and better understand their sustainability priorities. This is particularly important as some major customers increasingly assign specific weight to sustainability considerations when evaluating technology suppliers.
Ecosystem Collaboration
Achieving meaningful sustainability outcomes requires cooperation across the broader technology and business ecosystem. Nokia will work with partners to access public funding, bring together key stakeholders, contribute to the development of international sustainability standards, and make greater use of open-source innovation.
Innovation
Innovation will remain central to Nokia’s sustainability efforts. The company aims to accelerate transformative sustainability solutions through its own research capabilities as well as through collaborative development with customers and other partners.
Digitalization
Nokia will strengthen its management of ESG information by increasing the use of digital technologies and automation. Artificial intelligence will also be leveraged where appropriate to improve efficiency, enhance data management, and support better sustainability-related decision-making.
As these strategic priorities develop, Nokia will continue to uphold high standards of compliance, governance, and ethical conduct.
The systems and practices established around compliance, risk management, and governance remain fundamental to Nokia’s reputation and the trust it has earned in the market. The company intends to build its sustainability ambitions on this established foundation.
Sharpening the Sustainability Focus
Nokia’s technologies support more than 4.5 billion mobile subscriptions across more than 150 countries, as well as the networks of nine of the world’s ten largest AI and cloud providers. This global reach gives Nokia both an opportunity and a responsibility to help connect an increasingly intelligent world while considering the long-term interests of society and the environment.
Sustainability is increasingly viewed not simply as a compliance obligation, but as a driver of innovation, resilience, and long-term value creation. It requires clear priorities, cooperation across industries and ecosystems, and a willingness to continuously adapt.
Nokia’s sustainability strategy is intended to bring these elements together—using connectivity and innovation to create lasting value for customers, communities, shareholders, and the planet.