ZTE Corporation has been recognised on CDP’s Climate A List for the third consecutive year, ranking the company among the top 4 percent of organisations globally for climate governance, transparency, and action. The achievement makes ZTE the only mainland Chinese company to maintain an A rating across three consecutive reporting cycles in recent years, underscoring sustained progress rather than one-off performance.

With more than 22,100 companies disclosing through CDP in 2025, representing over half of global market capitalisation, inclusion in the A List signals strong alignment between climate strategy, execution, and risk management at a time when investors increasingly rely on disclosure quality to assess long-term resilience.

 

Climate governance embedded across operations

 

ZTE’s latest CDP score reflects a shift from disclosure compliance toward operational execution. Climate governance has been integrated into core decision-making, covering emissions management, target-setting, and enterprise risk oversight. In 2024, the company achieved a 13.4 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions year-on-year, alongside absolute electricity savings of 45 million kWh.

Across its broader value chain, ZTE reported a reduction of 14.317 million tonnes in combined Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions compared with the previous year. Product-related emissions intensity also declined, with telecom equipment achieving an 8.39 percent reduction during the use and maintenance phase, and terminal products recording a 5.02 percent reduction across their full lifecycle.

 

Supply chain engagement moves beyond reporting

 

A notable driver of ZTE’s improved climate performance has been deeper supplier engagement. The company has embedded green requirements into its supplier management systems, linking sustainability expectations to contracting, audits, and performance evaluations.

To date, more than 450 production suppliers have undergone on-site corporate social responsibility audits. ZTE has also supported 152 suppliers in completing organisational-level carbon inventories and assisted 51 suppliers in establishing formal carbon reduction targets. This approach reflects growing recognition that Scope 3 emissions control depends on capability-building rather than disclosure requests alone.

 

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Digital infrastructure as a decarbonisation lever

 

ZTE continues to position digital infrastructure as a core enabler of emissions reduction across the wider economy. The company now holds more than 800 green patents and has completed carbon footprint assessments for 240 products, covering its entire portfolio.

Through energy-efficient network equipment and end-to-end green ICT solutions, ZTE estimates it is helping global telecom operators save more than 10 billion kWh of electricity annually. These gains are increasingly material as network energy consumption becomes a focal point for climate scrutiny within the digital economy.

 

Technology-driven green transformation across industries

 

Beyond its own operations, ZTE has expanded its role as a technology partner in industrial decarbonisation. By integrating cloud, AI, big data, IoT, and 5G technologies, the company has supported more than 2,000 partners across 18 sectors, including steel, ports, mining, rail, and power generation.

More than 100 green application scenarios have been deployed, targeting efficiency gains, emissions monitoring, and process optimisation. This positions ZTE not only as an ICT supplier, but as an active participant in cross-sector climate transition efforts.

 

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Alignment with science-based targets and global initiatives

 

ZTE’s climate strategy is underpinned by externally validated targets. The company has received approval from the Science Based Targets initiative for both its near-term 1.5°C pathway and long-term net-zero ambition. It has also earned a Gold Medal rating from EcoVadis, again placing it within the top 4 percent of companies assessed globally.

As a participant in the UN Global Compact, the Global eSustainability Initiative, and the COP29 Green Digital Initiative, ZTE continues to align its corporate strategy with international climate and sustainability frameworks.

 

What this signals for investors and regulators

 

ZTE’s third consecutive CDP A List placement highlights a broader shift in how climate leadership is assessed. Consistency, supply chain engagement, and measurable operational outcomes are increasingly valued alongside ambition. For investors and regulators, repeated top-tier disclosure performance reduces uncertainty around execution risk and signals a more mature integration of climate considerations into long-term business strategy.

As climate disclosure standards tighten globally, ZTE’s approach illustrates how large technology manufacturers can move beyond reporting to embed climate action into operations, products, and partner ecosystems.