environment

With the rapid increase in global concerns about climate change, the depletion of natural resources, and the increase in waste, the world is looking to companies to play a more active role in achieving sustainability. As demand for technology increases, with over half the world’s population owning smartphones, this industry faces more pressure to reduce waste and adopt environmentally-friendly practices.

HMD, which specialises in smartphones, has adopted a key strategy to transform its products to become more sustainable. ESG Mena conducted an interview with Sanmeet Kochhar, Vice President of HMD in the Middle East and North Africa – he discussed his company’s vision for integrating sustainability into the mobile phone industry.

• How do you envision the future of sustainable mobile devices? 

Making more phones that are repairable to extend life will become and need to become the industry norm. At HMD, We’re proud that we’ve led the industry on this journey and are committed to bringing consumer repairability to all our SPs in 2025. The future is built on profitable positive impact, so we push for positive and profitable change for everyone, everywhere.  

Preserving ecosystems and environments by reducing gas emissions should be a worldwide priority. Using recycled materials and sustainable mobile devices to limit the e-waste caused by people throwing old electronic devices,  is an efficient way to help reducing global warming, limit (GHGs) and preserving natural sources – therefore, protect our planet.

• Can you discuss HMD’s approach to using sustainable materials in your products?

For years, HMD has integrated recycled materials, primarily aluminum and plastic, into our product manufacturing process. We are committed to expanding the use of recycled content across all product lines. Initially, we focused on higher-end devices, where cost pressures are lower. We plan to extend the use of recycled materials to our lower-end smartphones and feature phones as well.  

Another important aspect of this initiative includes increasing the use of recycled content in our product packaging. For many SKUs, our packaging is already made entirely from cardboard and paper with a high percentage of recycled content. We are also proud to have achieved FSC-Mix materials certification for these efforts. 

To make sure we’re meeting the milestones on our sustainability journey, HMD’s sustainability strategy is aligned with several internationally recognised benchmarks and associations.  Aside from reporting according to these standards year-on-year and demonstrating our progress publicly, we also act in line with the global compact and the united nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) 

We hope to drive the movement toward circular economy by utilising recycled and recyclable materials as much as possible. We’re also working to strengthen strategic partnerships with customers on initiatives that stop devices being sent to landfill. 

• What challenges have you faced on sourcing recycled materials? 

Sourcing sustainable materials is a complex process, as HMD must ensure that these materials meet our strict performance and durability standards, are available in sufficient quantities to support manufacturing, and adhere to environmental and ethical standards.  

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are one of the biggest challenges facing humanity today. They are causing the planet to overheat, changing the global climate system. These changes are triggering dangerous weather events affecting the safety of millions of people worldwide.   

Alongside others, the mobile tech industry generates vast amounts of GHGs, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), through the sourcing of materials, production, and use of electronic devices. 

Another global challenge is biodiversity loss. The ecosystems we all rely on are struggling due to several different threats, including pollution. One source of pollution is the electronics people throw away. Over 50 million⁴ metric tons of this e-waste is generated every year since 2017.   

Globally we don’t have enough recyclers to process all the tons of e-waste generated from electronics people throw away. 80 per cent⁵ of e-waste ends up in landfills, with a significant portion dumped in developing countries. When left in landfills, electronics leach toxic chemicals like, lead, mercury, and cadmium into the soil and water, including the drinking water supplying local populations. HMD is focused on extending product lifespans by improving device reparability.

Repairing a device means generating less waste and reducing gas emissions (GHGs) by up to 89 per cent⁶ compared to replacing it. DIY repairability can extend the life of our products while making affordable technology accessible to everyone.

• How do you face the challenges you’ve faced in sourcing these sustainable materials? 

HMD aims to be a leader in sustainable design and materials. We want to be known for creating devices with a superior build quality that last longer. That’s why our teams are developing products at all price points to be more durable without compromising look and feel.

At the same time, we’re always exploring new ways to limit the amount of energy used during the product’s production and use and limit waste at the end of its life. Our policies ensure we don’t use hazardous materials in our production processes.   
To achieve this, we collaborate closely with our ODM partners and remain committed to expanding the use of sustainable materials in our products. 

We have committed to reducing our carbon footprint by 42 per cent by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050. To ensure accountability, we have partnered with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to have our targets evaluated, approved and be able to report on progress on annual basis. 

We have made significant progress over the past few months, and our latest HMD Skyline model received a 9 out of 10 repairability score from iFixit, marking a major step forward in our efforts. Consumers can now repair their products at home using the provided instructions, simple tools, and original parts available through iFixit. Our portfolio of customer repair-friendly products continues to grow, encompassing smartphones from various price segments. 

Internally, we will innovate in all relevant areas to meet these targets. Our emissions reduction road-map considers various aspects of our business. Major areas from an emissions perspective include production, e-waste, and transportation. Additionally, we address areas with a lower percentage of emissions but within our control, such as energy usage in HMD offices disadvantaged people so that they can access the internet and improve their lives. 

• How does HMD educate consumers about sustainable practices related to mobile devices?  

At HMD, we actively educate consumers about sustainable practices related to mobile devices through various channels, including product packaging, our website, and social media campaigns. Our messaging highlights the importance of extending device lifespans, with a strong emphasis on ease of repair to encourage longevity.

We encourage our customers to participate in our take-back and recycling programs to ensure their old devices are disposed of responsibly. In selected markets we offer recycled devices sales. 

Consumer behavior plays a crucial role in achieving our sustainability goals. While we focus on designing repairable devices with recycled materials and energy efficiency in mind, how consumers use, maintain, and eventually dispose of these devices has a significant impact on their overall environmental footprint.

For instance, longer usage lifespans and responsible recycling can greatly reduce e-waste and associated emissions. Educating and empowering consumers to make sustainable choices is essential in ensuring our efforts across the product life cycle are maximised, contributing to a more circular economy. 

• What partnerships has HMD formed with other organizations, governments, or suppliers to advance sustainability in the mobile industry?

HMD collaborates with various organizations to enhance our disclosure efforts and showcase best practices in sustainability. In July 2024, HMD achieved the highest possible EcoVadis rating for the third consecutive year. EcoVadis is the world’s largest and most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, evaluating over 130,000 companies globally. Their comprehensive assessment covers key areas such as the environment, labour practices, human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.  

Over the past five years, HMD has advanced from a Silver to Gold and finally to a Platinum EcoVadis rating. In 2024, we proudly maintained our Platinum status for the third consecutive year. This recognition highlights our unwavering commitment to sustainability, reinforcing trust among our partners and customers.

HMD also discloses its yearly progress in publicly available sustainability reports. Our last report was audited by third parties. We collaborate with organizations like Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Carbon Based Targets initiatives (CDP), and United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) for sustainable disclosures and progress reporting. Additionally, we maintain a close partnership with iFixit, focusing on improving the reparability of our devices.

• What are HMD’s long-term sustainability goals, and what emerging technologies or trends do you see as key to achieving these goals? 

HMD’s long-term sustainability goals are structured around three key dimensions: People, Planet, and Positive Practices.  

In the People dimension, we focus on maximising our positive impact on employees, customers, and the communities that use our products. This includes ensuring ethical labour practices and creating products that enhance the quality of life for our users. 
 
The Planet dimension is dedicated to reducing our environmental impact, promoting circularity, and ensuring the responsible use of resources throughout the entire life cycle of our devices. Our key objectives include increasing the use of recycled and responsibly sourced materials, improving device reparability to extend product lifespans and minimising e-waste. HMD is committed to reducing carbon emissions from all Scopes by 42 per cent by 2030, with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. These targets were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) earlier this year.

The Positive Practices dimension focuses on governance and operational excellence, ensuring that we adhere to the best practices in ethical and responsible business operations.