Vodafone & Telenor: Scaling Up Global ESG Standards

Two telecommunications leaders have aligned their procurement operations to establish unified ESG standards across their global supply chains – a collaboration that could reshape ESG compliance throughout the technology sector.

The partnership between Vodafone and Telenor, announced on 6 January, 2025, affects thousands of suppliers operating across their combined network.

According to Vodafone Procure & Connect's recent LinkedIn announcement: "Earlier this month, our Vodafone Procure & Connect and Telenor Procurement ESG teams aligned on a more consistent approach to human rights and environmental standards across our supply chains. We agreed a shared direction, clearer governance and a unified way of engaging suppliers."

The collaboration aims to deliver enhanced transparency, improved risk management and more resilient global operations for customers.

The implications extend beyond service delivery – it demonstrates how major corporations can use their collective purchasing power to drive sustainable transformation across their supplier networks.

Building on ESG foundations

The ESG alignment follows a strategic partnership announced in 2025 between Telenor Procurement Company and Vodafone Procurement Company.

That initial agreement focused on leveraging combined scale and global capabilities across key procurement areas, with responsible and sustainable business practices identified as shared priorities from the outset.

The combined reach of these organisations presents considerable influence. Together, they serve more than 550 million customers across 23 countries, with their procurement divisions managing annual expenditure exceeding €26bn (US$30.6bn).

Vodafone's direct supplier network alone comprises roughly 9,000 companies, representing €24bn (US$28.3bn) in annual spending.

When organisations of this scale harmonise their ESG requirements, they create market-wide pressure for compliance throughout the global technology manufacturing sector.

Thomas Skjelbred, Group Chief Procurement Officer and CEO Telenor Procurement Company, explained at the time: "This partnership will further strengthen Telenor's competitiveness, ultimately increasing value for our internal operations, associated companies, external customers and shareholders.

"Collaborating with Vodafone, we will expand our reach, address common challenges and navigate a reshaped global supplier landscape driven by ongoing geopolitical and technological shifts."

A practical advantage of the partnership involves eliminating duplicate ESG evaluations. Previously, suppliers serving both companies completed separate assessments for each organisation.

The unified framework streamlines this process, reducing administrative requirements whilst maintaining rigorous compliance standards.

Both organisations have developed their frameworks using international principles. According to Telenor, its standards align with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Vodafone implements a Code of Ethical Purchasing integrated into all supplier contracts as non-negotiable requirements.

Shared priorities include achieving net zero emissions, Vodafone targets 2040 across its complete value chain, alongside worker safety, fair labour practices, diversity and inclusion initiatives and responsible conflict mineral management.

According to Vodafone, the company has committed to halving supply chain carbon emissions by 2030 and since 2020 has weighted supplier "purpose" – their environmental, diversity and safety commitments – at 20% of evaluation criteria in new tenders.

Complementary regional coverage

The geographic scope represents a significant dimension of this collaboration. Telenor maintains substantial operations in Asia and the Nordics, whilst Vodafone holds dominant positions in European and African markets.

This complementary coverage means the unified ESG standards now extend across diverse global regions, each presenting unique challenges and regulatory environments.

According to Telenor, the company uses a risk-based approach with particular emphasis on Asian operations, addressing road safety, working conditions, fair wages and forced labour prevention.

Vodafone employs multiple monitoring mechanisms, including due diligence for new suppliers, on-site audits through the Joint Audit Cooperation (JAC), and worker feedback systems using anonymous mobile surveys to identify risks such as modern slavery.

Ninian Wilson, Vodafone Group's Supply Chain Management Director and CEO of Vodafone Procure & Connect, added: "We are excited by the collaboration between our organisations.

"By combining our scale, complementary footprints and competencies, we will drive sustainable efficiencies and greater innovation for our customers. At the same time, we will simplify engagement for our partners, reducing administrative burden and duplication in an increasingly complex environment, while opening new opportunities to our suppliers and partners."

Key figures leading this ESG transformation include Kim Hurst, Head of ESG & Sustainability for Vodafone Procure & Connect, and her team Syed Ruman Ahmed Rafeeq, from Telenor Procurement, and Ange La Fortune Tekazam from Vodafone.

According to Vodafone: "Responsible supply chains are fundamental to trusted connectivity. By working together, we simplify expectations, raise standards and deliver long-term value."

In an environment of growing geopolitical complexity and heightened consumer awareness around sustainability, the partnership illustrates how industry leaders can collaborate to drive meaningful change across global supply chains.