Why comparing is so hard

There is no common standard for how telecom operators report their emissions. One counts only its own offices, another also the network or the devices. Two figures side by side therefore say little. A general green image says even less.

What the new EU rules prohibit

Since 27 September 2026, stricter rules on green claims apply in the EU, under the so-called EmpCo Directive (2024/825). Among other things, this is no longer allowed:

  • Vague terms without proof, such as green, eco or environmentally friendly.

  • Climate neutral or CO₂ neutral based on offsetting. A company may not say its product has no or less impact because it buys CO₂ credits elsewhere.

  • A claim about the whole that only applies to a part, for example presenting green electricity at the office as a green network.

  • Own sustainability labels that are not based on a recognised certification scheme or set by a public authority.

How to recognise an honest claim

Ask these five questions about every green promise:

  1. Is it concrete? “We plant a tree per new subscription” is something you can check, “we are green” is not.

  2. Is there a source? Look for certificates, reports or an external audit you can open yourself.

  3. Is it about everything, or just a part? Check whether the claim is about the network, the office or your device.

  4. Is support presented as removal? CO₂ credits support climate projects, but they don’t reduce a company’s own emissions.

  5. Does the operator show its own emissions? A company that publishes its footprint opens itself up to scrutiny.

How UNDO approaches it

We don’t call ourselves climate neutral. A mobile plan causes emissions too. What we do, you can check:

  • A tree in our own forest. For every new subscription, we plant a tree in Ibi Village, Congo. Together we’re at 21,831 trees.

  • CO₂ credits you allocate yourself. With every plan you support certified climate projects with CO₂ credits. In the app you choose the project. The certificates are online.

  • Our footprint, every year. We have UNDO’s CO₂ footprint calculated every year and publish the report.

  • No wasted bundle. The data, minutes and texts you don’t use carry over to the next month. So you don’t need to take a bigger bundle than you need.

All figures, certificates and reports are on our page about sustainability.

Source: Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the green transition.