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Sustainability as a guiding principle

Sustainability is an integral part of our business activities. As a digital lifestyle provider with more than 3,000 employees, we are committed to operating in a responsible and future-oriented manner. We are guided by the three dimensions of ESG, which stand for the interplay between the environment, social responsibility and good corporate governance.

freenet takes on responsibility

“We shape our business activities in a way that is environmentally responsible, socially equitable and economically profitable. People are always at the heart of everything we do.”

Nicole Engenhardt-Gillé
Chief Human Resources Officer and ESG (CHRO)
Nicole Engenhardt-Gille ist Vorständin Personal und ESG

Consciously shaping the future

Our ESG strategy is divided into five key areas of action: climate, circular economy, customers, employees and governance. This structure provides the framework for implementing environmental, social and corporate ethical issues in a systematic and effective manner. Our goal is to give equal consideration to these dimensions in our business decisions, with economic profitability serving as the basis. 

Pseudo-Venn diagram. ESG is an acronym. The E stands for Environment i.e. climate & circular economy, S stands for Social i.e. customers & employees and G stands for Governance i.e. responsibility & guidelines.

Our Fields of Action

Climate Action Male read person sunbathing
Climate Action
We support the 1.5 degree target of the Paris Climate Agreement and are reducing our GHG emissions in order to contribute to climate protection.
Circular Economy Hand holding smartphone with leaf on display
Circular Economy
We promote a circular economy by conserving resources, extending product life cycles and reducing (electrical) waste.
Customers freenet store with customers
Customers
We always put the customer at the center of everything we do. We promote digital participation and equal access to the digital world with a wide range of offerings.
Employees Female read person in a conversation
Employees
We promote a sustainable relationship with our employees. That is why we focus on a diverse, equal and dialog-oriented working environment.
Governance Female read person looking over shoulder into camera
Governance
We act responsibly and based on values along the supply chain and in all our business processes.

Transparent reporting and progress measurement 

Since 2017, we have reported annually on the development of the material sustainability topics of freenet in our non-financial statement in the Group management report. We committed ourselves early on to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, an established standard for sustainability reporting. In 2024, we have now reported for the first time in accordance with the new European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).   

Annual Report

News on the topic of sustainability

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ESG Day at freenet

The company-wide ESG Day took place in Hamburg following the motto "Understanding, connecting and taking on responsibility." In panels, presentations and interactive experience rooms, freenet employees intensively explored topics such as recycling, circular economy, electromobility and GHG reduction, gaining valuable insights for sustainable action. 

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#freenet Volunteering

We support our employees' social commitment with our #freenet Volunteering program. Here, they can actively engage in social and environmental projects during working hours – digitally or on site, individually or in a team. Because at freenet, we are convinced that everyone can easily do good! 

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Our sustainability ambassadors

Sustainability begins in everyday life: our sustainability ambassadors are committed to integrating environmental and social aspects more strongly into everyday working life at freenet's various locations. They are the point of contact for ideas, drive projects forward and raise awareness of sustainable practices – convinced that many small steps together can achieve great things.

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