1998 1999 Swisscom

Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99
I. Telecommunications – a chance for the environment

Foreword by the President and CEO
II. The ecology of our services
III. The ecology of our products
IV. Environmental sponsoring
V. Systematic environmental protection
VI. Swisscom environmental ratios
Your contact
Address:
Swisscom Ltd
Group Environmental Management
GMS-GEM
CH-3050 Bern
Please send your comments by e-mail to:

albert.kuhn@swisscom.com
pascal.salina@swisscom.com
Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 1/32

Group Environmental Management pascal.salina@swisscom.com
I. Telecommunications – a chance for the environment
Foreword by the President and CEO
Telecommunications is among those sectors with the greatest potential

for economising on natural resources. As the market leader in
Switzerland, Swisscom views this as a considerable burden of
responsibility, but also as a significant opportunity.
"Dematerialisation" by substituting for resource-intensive market services

Natural resources are limited. The economy must therefore strive to achieve a situation that can be
maintained in the long-term, i.e. that is sustainable.
In nature, we find the principle of sustainability everywhere. Ecology is a perfect economy; it is extremely
efficient. Responsible companies take an example from nature and behave eco-efficiently. That means they
provide functional, marketable products and services using the minimum of resources while generating as
little pollution as possible.
It is wrong to believe that an eco-efficient approach will inevitably lead to a loss of comfort and
convenience. On the contrary: an unspoiled environment is the basic prerequisite for a high quality of life. In
this context, “dematerialisation” is vitally important: resource-intensive market services must be replaced by
more economical ones. This is largely a question of using the right technology.
Innovation leads the way to increasingly economical use of resources

Fortunately, there are technologies that automatically save considerable resources through the dynamics of
their development. This includes telecommunications, which has been changing radically for some time now
and which is undergoing a continuous process of innovation. This sector has created services that were
inconceivable only a few years ago, and new ones are being launched all the time.
Thanks to broadband technologies in both fixed and mobile networks, very large quantities of data will soon
be accessible at any time and practically anywhere: in the form of text, still pictures, animations or sound.
Telecommunications covers distances at the speed of light and builds bridges between virtually any number
of participants around the world. The Internet plays a key role in this. Although it spans the globe, only a
very small part of its potential applications is being used. From an ecological point of view, those Internet
applications that economise on resources are particularly attractive: e-mail, telebooking, telebanking,
teleshopping, teleconsulting, telelearning and virtual reality.
Economic efficiency generates high ecological efficiency

Telecommunications is marked by an extraordinarily high level of efficiency with regards to speed,
networking capabilities and multimedia application. These properties enable undreamed-of savings on
materials, particularly in the area of the fixed network infrastructure, for example by replacing copper cable
with glass fibre cable . In addition, the end user equipment – even though it is becoming increasingly

powerful – is getting smaller and more compact. It requires less material in its production and uses even less
energy.
However, the rapid pace of technical development also has its drawbacks: The life cycles of end user
equipment are becoming shorter and shorter. New developments are replacing equipment that is in
principle still in perfect working order. This produces more waste on the one hand, and increases the
consumption of resources in production on the other. Furthermore, the use of the new technologies
requires extensions to the network infrastructure systems, which also use resources.
A target-orientated and systematic approach is the key to successful environmental management

As the leading telecommunications company in Switzerland, Swisscom bears a responsibility towards the
environment. Swisscom strives on the one hand to minimise the negative influence of its company’s
operations on the environment, and on the other to encourage those business areas with a positive impact.
Swisscom’s environmental management is characterised by a target-orientated, systematic approach. In line
with this, an environmental management system was established quite some time ago and certified
according to the ISO 14001 standard.
The essential features of Swisscom's environmental management system are set out in the company’s
environment policy. Swisscom is one of the original signatories to the ETNO Environmental Charter and is a
member of öbu (Swiss Association for Environmentally Conscious Management).
Thanks to its efforts in environmental management, Swisscom generally fares very well in environmental
ratings. An indicator of its exemplary environmental behaviour is the fact that Swisscom shares have been
purchased for many environmentally ethical investment funds.
Jens Alder
President and CEO
Environmental policy at Swisscom

• Swisscom minimises environmental risks and complies with legal requirements.
• Swisscom makes targeted use of its operational environmental improvement potential and thus
continually improves the company's environmental performance.
• Swisscom actively supports suppliers and contractual partners in the promotion of environmentally
friendly products.
• Swisscom is involved in the development, implementation and marketing of environmentally friendly
services.
• Swisscom ensures that its employees have information and training about the environment and
motivates them to adopt an environmentally friendly attitude.
• Swisscom publishes its environmental activities and results and thus promotes credibility and customer
confidence.
Further information:
ETNO Environmental Charter: http://www.etno.be/charter_text.html
öbu Homepage: http://www.oebu.ch/neu/index1.htm

II. The ecology of our services
Thanks to telecommunications, physical processes can be made much more

efficient or even replaced. The potential saving in energy and other
resources is considerable.
A wide range of telecommunications services support sustained development. Sustainability in ecological

terms means environmental compatibility in the long term, ideally based on closed cycles. At the very least it
requires a high level of eco-efficiency.
Many conventional, much less eco-efficient services can be replaced by telecommunications services. This
applies primarily to passenger transport and paper consumption, but also to other resources. In addition to
the "substitution effect", however, there is a "stimulation effect" which can cancel out the ecological
benefits of the substitution.
The following three representative Swisscom telecommunications services can be assumed to generate
considerable savings in the areas of passenger transport, paper consumption and the use of hardware and
materials generally.
Bluewin
For about four years now, Bluewin has been offering a comprehensive Internet service for residential and
SOHO (small office/home office) customers. In the rapidly growing online market, Bluewin is positioned as an
intermediary between consumer needs and business offerings.
Bluewin presents comprehensive information and content on different subjects, such as news, sport,
finance, chat, telecom directories, music, games, cinema, TV, etc., using a well-structured Internet portal.
For additional content, Bluewin relies more on co-operation with professional partners and so is constantly
increasing the value added it offers to its customers. A good price/performance ratio, simple installation,
consistent user-friendliness and the constant product innovation are the building blocks of the success
Bluewin has achieved since its launch in 1996. In 1999, Bluewin customers spent around 30 million hours on
the net. At the end of June 2000, Bluewin was the leading Swiss Internet provider, with over 500,000
registered access customers and over 40 million pageviews per month.
Bluewin Homepage: http://www.bluewin.ch/index_e.html
HostCenter
With HostCenter, a new service from Bluewin, it is possible to have a web presence without an independent
infrastructure. Need-oriented hardware and software solutions are available here, including all the services
required for the smooth operation of websites.
Connecting a server to the Internet is expensive and requires a great deal of know-how. HostCenter opens
up a new approach that makes it possible for every customer to transfer data onto a Bluewin server.
Features on offer range from memory capacity of any size, through e-mail services, multimedia support and
e-commerce, to database access. Altogether, eight different hosting offers are available to residential and
business customers.
Host Center page: http://hostcenter.swisscom.com

Remote Access Service
Remote Access Service (RAS) enables all a corporate customer’s employees to have access to the corporate
network from any location. Whether at home, on the train, in the hotel, at the station, at the airport, on
the move or visiting a customer: users can access their office’s local network from anywhere. Not only in
Switzerland, but also abroad.
RAS supports total connectivity within the company and provides access to all distributed business
applications: e-mail, intranet, data transfer, databases, client server, etc. Teleworking – even from remote
places – is a convenient reality with RAS.
RAS page: Swisscom Homepage (http://www.swisscom.com) → Services → Business solutions.

III. The ecology of our products
Swisscom actively supports manufacturers in the development of

environmentally friendly equipment. The ecology of the product range is
constantly being optimised.
As a reseller of telecommunications equipment, Swisscom promotes the ecological improvement of the

products offered as part of its collaboration with suppliers (in German, summary in English). This is achieved
mainly by know-how transfer in the area of Life Cycle Assessment (in German, summary in English).
Based on our joint efforts, various improvement opportunities have emerged for telecommunications
equipment.
Action Environmental impact

Limited number of different plastics and metals à Facilitates recycling
Environmentally-friendly battery type à Reduces the emission of toxic substances
Lead-free soldering material à Reduces the emission of toxic substances
Use of recycled plastics (e.g. ABS/PC) à Saves raw materials
Device easy to disassemble into individual parts (plug-in à Facilitates recycling
and screw connections)
Avoidance of halogenated flame retardants in housings à Reduces the emission of toxic substances
and printed circuit boards
Reduced energy consumption à Saves energy resources
Application of the precautionary principle in equipment à Reduces electromagnetic radiation
design
First ecological telecom device

The first ecologically optimised mobile telephone will shortly be ready for series production. This innovation is
the result of close collaboration between the manufacturer and Swisscom.
The first step has been taken: further ecologically optimised products will follow, constantly improving the
environmental friendliness of the Swisscom product range.

IV. Environmental sponsoring
Collaborations and joint activities in the field of environmental

protection create synergies and have more impact. Swisscom
provides targeted support to projects and organisations with
ecological objectives.
Environmental sponsoring is intended to achieve several objectives. Swisscom would like

1. to create a sustainable benefit to the environment which is also effective outside the company,
2. to raise awareness in its own and the sponsorship partner’s employees and to motivate them,
3. to encourage discussion amongst the public over a particular environmental topic or an environmental
institution.
GLOBE
Commitment of Swisscom to a world-wide school and environmental project
What is GLOBE? (in German, summary in English)

GLOBE originated in an initiative launched in 1994 by the then American Vice-president, Al Gore. It is a
world-wide school and environmental project which aims to create more understanding about the "Earth
system" through long-term observation and measurement of important environmental factors. This is done
in close collaboration between equal partners, i.e. school pupils, teaching staff and scientists.
Teams of pupils regularly gather environmental data from around their schools in accordance with precise
instructions. This is entered into an international database via the Internet, analysed, aggregated, combined
with measurement data from other sources and turned into graphics.
The resulting information can be called up on the Internet world-wide by anyone who is interested, and
used for educational and scientific purposes.
GLOBE Homepage: http://www.globe-swiss.ch
What does Swisscom do for GLOBE?

Swisscom supports GLOBE through joint events and participates in financing teacher training and the
necessary infrastructure.

WWF
Swisscom’s commitment to an environment worth living in
Who is the WWF Switzerland?

The WWF, with 222,222 members, is the leading organisation in Switzerland for the protection of nature
and the environment, and is particularly active in the fields of protecting endangered species, the
countryside and biotopes, environmental protection, environmental training, and youth projects,
environmental consulting and public relations.
The WWF handles a wide range of professionally conceived and worthwhile environmental projects. Like
Swisscom, WWF acts as a full service provider.
WWF Homepage: http://www.wwf.ch
What does Swisscom do for the WWF Switzerland?

Swisscom supports the WWF with both money and communications. Evidence of this collaboration can be
seen in the new international prepaid cards for cashless telephone calls: the cards bear pictures of animals
from different continents and the WWF logo.
Swisscom Homepage: http://www.swisscom.com (→ Shop → Cards).

V. Systematic environmental protection
Ecological and economic interests need not necessarily

be in conflict. The environmental management system
of Swisscom is based on linking these two areas.
Environmental management in a company cannot be viewed separately from its business activities. The more
deeply integrated it is, the better.
Business activities are guided by a management system. The environmental management system forms an
additional tool within this management system. It enables Swisscom to continually improve its environmental
performance in a way that takes both ecological and economic requirements into account, to achieve the
best possible results for the combined interests of environment and company.
Standards and certification

The environmental standard ISO 14001 defines the elements required for an environmental management
system. The Swisscom environmental management system certified according to ISO 14001 covers these
requirements in full. In the interests of a high standard of environmental performance, the system is
constantly being improved. The elements of the standard were recently divided into four theme-related
blocks or modules in this context.
– Environmental requirements
– Environmental enabling
– Environmental performance
– Environmental organisation and system improvement

Action modules
1. Environmental requirements
The environmental requirements are all recorded and evaluated: from the legal provisions to the wishes of
customers and employees. The environmental aspects relevant to Swisscom are also included, as well as all
environmental risks.
2. Environmental enabling
Important prerequisites must be in place before the environmental requirements can be met. These include
the environmental policy and strategy, approval of the environmental programmes, and also environmental
communication and training.
3. Environmental performance
Environmental measures take concrete shape here: implementation includes carrying out environmental
projects, monitoring them, making measurements and checking on success as well as implementing
corrective action and extraordinary emergency measures (for unbudgeted activities).
4. The environmental organisation and system improvement

This module defines the organisation and the results to be documented. In addition, it helps to improve
environmental management and the environmental management system. Swisscom has a very flexible and
efficient environmental organisation. It is controlled by a company-wide environmental working group
which is made up of the environmental managers from Swisscom’s organisational units.
The process established by the environmental management system is completed over the course of a year. In
other words, the individual elements of the four blocks are run through once a year. The marked
connections show the processes as a whole system.
At each run-through, environmental performance in the environmental areas addressed is further optimised.
These improvements add up over the years to holistic, continuous environmental improvement. In this way,
Swisscom contributes to sustainable development (in German, summary in English).

The process
ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Environmental policy/
Environmental aspects
F1 General group guidelines
Legal
requirements F2
ENVIRONMENTAL ENABLING
Requirements of
interested circles F3
Environmental policy and
Emergency preparedness environmental strategy B1
and response F4
every 3
years
Fields of action/ Environmental programmes /
Priorities Approval
F5 B2
Communication
B3
Training, awareness and

competence B4
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE
Elements of environmental
programmes / Projects L1
Monitoring
and measurement L2
Results
Nonconformance, corrective
and preventive action L3
Extraordinary emergency
measures L4
ENVIRONMENTAL ORG./ SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT

Inputs / Outputs from/for entire UMS
Organisational structure
Operational control
S5 and responsibility S1
UMS documentation
Environmental management S2
system audits S6
Document
Control S3
Records
Management S4
review S7

VI. Swisscom environmental ratios:
Indicators for managing a continuous process
§ Importance, system boundaries, methodology

§ "Traditional" environmental ratios
§ Eco-efficiency ratios
§ Focal points and objectives of the Swisscom environmental strategy
Ground/Buildings
Accidents Consumption of raw materials
Electromagnetic fields Water consumption
Noise Energy, electrical
Waste Energy, heating
Ground contamination Energy, fuels

Wastewater Emissions into the air

Importance, system boundaries, methodology
Importance:
Swisscom's environmental ratios are more than just statistics:
– They clearly establish which environmental aspects are relevant to the company.
– They reflect the year-on-year changes and demonstrate Swisscom's environmental performance.
– They form a basis for informing and motivating the employees.
– They form the basis of external communication on environmental issues.
– They enable benchmarking with other companies.
System boundaries:
The environmental ratios listed apply to the geographical radius of operation of Swisscom Switzerland. The
time period covers 1997/98/99.
→ Swisscom annual report (Company profile)
Methodology:
The environmental ratios are established in accordance with the environmental aspects relevant to Swisscom
(according to ISO 14004 and 14031).

"Traditional" environmental ratios
The diagrams show the absolute ratios on the one hand and the relative figures based on net revenue on
the other. The relative ratio, which is derived from the relationship between the absolute value and the net
revenue, is a parameter more or less independent of the size of the company. It enables benchmarking with
other companies.
The traditional environmental ratios generally show a so-called "damage creation" such as resource
consumption or emission of pollutants.
Interpretation: The bigger the figure, the worse for the environment.
Table of Swisscom environmental ratios:

Unit 1997 1998 1999
0 - Reference ratios
Net revenue Mio. CHF 9'842 10'461 10'096
Employees Employees 22'170 21'946 19'254
1 - Ground / Buildings
2
Net floor area Mio. m 2.4 2.4 2.4
2 - Raw material consumption (paper)
White photocopier and printer paper A4 No. of sheets 88'565'000 98'298'000 104'343'000
Grey photocopier and printer paper A4 No. of sheets 42'880'000 11'368'500 29'382'200
3 - Water consumption / Waste water
Water consumption m3 620'760 614'488 539'112
4 - Energy, Electricity
Electrical energy consumption GWh 389.1 377.0 380.0
5 - Energy, Heat
Fuel oil TJ 296.8 296.8 271.8
Natural gas TJ 89.5 89.5 74.2
District heat TJ 41.4 41.4 41.9
6 - Fuels
Petrol TJ 224.2 227.6 198.4
Diesel TJ 36.7 25.3 27.3
Km driven Mio. km 71.3 61.2 54.6
7 - Emissions into the air
Emitted carbon dioxide CO2 Tonnes 39'264 37'478 33'626
Emitted nitrogen oxide NOx Tonnes 60.8 50.2 45.0
Emitted sulphur dioxide SO2 Tonnes 30.1 6.3 5.8
8 - Waste
Total waste (excl. household waste) Tonnes 9'045 6'741
9 - Noise
Vehicles CH Number 3'383'273 3'467'275
Vehicles Swisscom Number 7340 6'584 5'853
"Noise share" % 0.19 0.17
10 - Electromagnetic fields
Base stations Number 2733 3214 3880

Swisscom eco-efficiency ratios
General definition of eco-efficiency:

Eco-efficiency = value added / damage creation
Establishing the value added:

EBITDA + personnel expenses (see http://www.wbcsd.ch/aboutus.htm)
Establishing the damage creation:

CO2 emissions caused directly by Swisscom and/or total energy consumption.
Unit 1997 1998 1999
Value added CHF (million) 6363 6700 6368
CO2 emissions Tonnes 39264 37478 33626

Energy consumption TJ 2090 2044 1988
Value added / CO2 CHF / tonne CO2 162057 178772 189379

Value added / Energy CHF / TJ 3044498 3277886 3203219
“Environmental impact points (EIP) are used as a general measure of damage creation. For CO2 emissions
and energy consumption, these amount to:
1 g CO2 = 0.2 EIP (BUWAL SR 297)
1 MJ = 1.0 EIP (BUWAL SR 297)
Value added by CO2 emission Value added per energy consumption
200000 3500000
CHF / CO2 Tonnes
3000000
160000
2500000
CHF /TJ
120000 2000000
80000 1500000
1000000
40000
500000
0 0
1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999

Focal points and objectives of the Swisscom environmental strategy
Swisscom examines the (environmental) books once a year and defines key points for the environmental
strategy on an annual basis. The direction of the environmental programmes is determined on this basis.
Focal point 1999: Reduction of environmental risk, conservation of energy and raw materials
Focal point 2000: Incorporation of environmental aspects in the products
Focal point 2001: Implementation of environmentally friendly services
Energy Extra Programme:
In addition to the general environmental focal points, Swisscom also pursues long-term quantitative
objectives to reduce energy consumption.
By the end of 2000, the following energy conservation objectives should have been reached in relation to
the base year 1995:
Electrical energy: 10% reduction

Heating oil consumption: 5% reduction
Fuel consumption: 10% reduction

Ground/Buildings
Reduction of the net floor area and optimised use of space
Importance for the environment and for Swisscom

It is not usual to classify the use of ground and buildings as consumption of resources. Swisscom does this in
the knowledge that the ground represents one of the most important and scarcest of natural resources.
Ground which has been built on is sealed off. Sealing disturbs the natural water economy and restricts the
biological eco-systems in general.
Swisscom needs space for 19,254 employees (as per end of 1999 for Swisscom Switzerland) and for the
whole infrastructure.
Development in recent years

In 1998/99, Swisscom did not put up any further new buildings. The net floor area remained constant at
2.4 million m2. The fact that the new switchboard installations need much less space than the previous ones
has had a positive effect from an environmental point of view. It has increased the area of freely available
land.
Swisscom attached great importance to an ecologically integrated plan, particularly for the most recently
constructed buildings and their surroundings. This plan gained two "Nature Reserve of Swiss Industry"
awards (Gossau SG and Ostermundigen BE). The new Swisscom Headquarters at Worblaufen also shows a
particularly high environmental standard.
Objectives and their achievement

Swisscom has both an ecological and an economic interest in reducing the net floor space required. The
available areas are intended to be used to the best possible effect. The average office area per workplace
(incl. common area) is 17 m2 as a binding standard.

Raw materials consumption (paper)
From wasted paper to targeted paper consumption
Consumption of photocopier and Consumption of photocopier Consumption of photocopier and

printer paper and printer paper by revenue printer paper per employee
No. of sheets per million
No. of sheets per employee

160 16000 8000
140 7000
Sheets (millions)
14000
120 12000 6000
100 10000 5000
CHF
recycled
80 8000 4000
white
60 6000 3000
40 4000 2000
20 2000 1000
0 0 0
1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999

General raw materials:
Because Swisscom is purely a service company, it does not process any raw materials. The end user
equipment is manufactured by supply partners, with whom Swisscom also collaborates on environmental
issues (Ecology of our products, in German, summary in English).
Paper as a consumable:
Swisscom's demand for paper is relatively high. In paper production, the critical environmental factor is not
so much the raw material (trees grow back again), but rather the manufacturing process, which requires a
great deal of energy and water. To produce one tonne of white paper, the same amount of energy is
required as to produce one tonne of steel. For recycled paper, less than half this amount of energy is needed
and considerably less water (only approx. 10%).

Figures:
Our in-house use of paper fluctuates: From 1997 to 1998, there was a reduction compared to previous
years. In 1998 consumption increased to 5,000 sheets per employee. However, this increase was primarily
due to the method of analysis used: the volume purchased was captured rather than the volume actually
consumed. At the end of 1999, even larger volumes of paper were in fact purchased and stored.

Consumption habits:
Electronic information management (e-mail, intranet, extranet, Internet) is replacing paper in many areas.
Nevertheless, the savings potential is far from being exhausted. For example, e-mails are – often
unnecessarily – printed out by countless addressees, which partially cancels out the substitution effect. The
paperless office is still a long way off. However, at Swisscom it is getting closer: all workstations are
networked, and the employees can access their data from any PC.
Telephone directories:
Very strict ecological criteria have always existed for the production of address lists. The paper used is
composed of 70% recycled material and 30% wood pulp. Telephone books are increasingly being replaced
by CD-ROMs and on-line queries. The effect of this is shown by an EMPA study financed by Swisscom, which,
along with other aspects, also compares the environmental impact of these three applications. The
ecological balance sheet forms the basis for this.

Why do Swisscom employees print out so many documents and what measures can be taken to change this
behaviour? Swisscom is to address these questions intensively and will develop solutions to reduce paper
consumption.

Water consumption / Waste water
Water economy under control
Water consumption Water consumption by

turnover
800000 Amount m3 / CHF
Amount [m3]
80
600000
(millions)
60
400000
40
200000 20
0 0
1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999

In Switzerland, drinking water is fortunately available in sufficient quantities – unlike in some other
countries. The main environmental problem is wastewater, because wastewater treatment is very costly due
to the high standards in Switzerland. The wastewater freight should not therefore be increased
unnecessarily, for example by channelling "clean" wastewater such as rainwater into the sewerage system.
Clean rainwater should be able to seep away into the ground.
As Swisscom is a non-industrial company, drinking water is required almost solely for the purposes of
sanitary facilities.

Swisscom seals the ground around buildings as little as possible in order to ensure that rainwater can seep
into the ground.
Over the last three years, consumption of drinking water has reduced slightly.

Since the environmental relevance of water consumption at Swisscom is fairly small, no detailed
environmental objectives have been set. Nevertheless, measures to reduce water consumption are taken
wherever and whenever possible (for example when buildings are being renovated).

Energy, Electricity
Energy carriers 1999 Stabilisation objective achieved

– further efforts needed
Electricity
69%
Heating oil
Gas
District heating
1% 10% 14% Petrol
2% 4%
Diesel
Central Var. central

Electricity consumption Electricity consumption by EDP Air
revenue Aid 4% offices 4% services con./ventila
2% tion
MWh / CHF (millions)
500
Lifts 1% 32%
400 50
40 Radio
GWh
300 comm. Warm

30
200 11% water
20 1%
Tele-phone
100 10 Pumps 1%
ex-
0 0 changes Lighting
1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999 33% 11%

Electricity accounts for a 2/3 share of the total energy consumption and is thus Swisscom's main energy
source. It supplies the fixed and wireless telephone networks and the computer systems and is required in
the buildings for lighting, air conditioning and general services (see diagram on the right). Swisscom
purchases electricity exclusively from Swiss suppliers (CH-Mix).

Despite a massive increase in network capacity, it has been possible to stabilise the consumption of electricity
in the last few years: on the one hand, by selecting systems with low power requirements, and on the other,
by optimising operation (in German, summary in English) Swisscom also purchases electricity that makes only
a minimal contribution to the greenhouse effect: for example wind energy
(http://www.juvent.ch/cust_lin.htm) and power from small hydroelectric power stations.
One third of Swisscom’s electricity consumption is used for air-conditioning. A large part of this, in turn,
goes to cool the telephone exchanges, since the heat given off by the electronic infrastructure is
considerable.
When new computer workstations were installed in 1999, only flat-screen computers were used. These
appliances need 3 to 4 times less power than the previous curved screens and are, incidentally, easier to
dispose of. The saving in electric power achieved as a result comes to around 5GWh per annum.

The established objective of a 10% reduction in power consumption compared to 1995 (target 325 GWh)
was not yet achieved by the end of 1999. The savings potential is not yet exhausted. Swisscom aims to
maintain consumption at the stabilised level and to try to further reduce total consumption. In order to save
cooling energy, the permitted operating temperature in the air-conditioned exchanges has been raised from
20 to 26°C from the year 2000 onwards. This measure means a considerable saving in energy costs.

Energy, Heat
Target almost reached: 5% lower heating oil
Energy carriers 1999
consumption
Electricity
69%
Heating oil
Gas
District heating
1% 10% 14% Petrol
2% 4%
Diesel
Heating oil consumption Heating oil consumption by Heat sources

revenue
MJ / CHF (millions)
400 100%
Terajoules
40000 80%
300 district heating
30000 60%
200 gas
20000 40%
100 heating oil
10000 20%
0 0 0%
1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999

Swisscom heats its premises with heating oil and gas and also uses district-heating options. 1/5 of the total
energy consumption comes from these energy sources. Like vehicle fuels, heating oils also produce CO2 –
one of the gases that causes the greenhouse effect – and atmospheric pollutants such as NOx and SO2. Gas
and district heating are classified as "clean", as these forms of energy cause very little air pollution. In
addition, the thermal recycling of waste for district heating provides an acceptable solution to the waste
problem.

Measures to optimise combustion and regular checks of the burners have kept the consumption of heating
oil contained within acceptable limits and even somewhat reduced it, although the net floor space has
remained constant. Swisscom has exclusively purchased and used ecologically friendly heating oil since the
beginning of 1998. This fuel has a very low sulphur content. By way of comparison, it contains 50% less
sulphur than "extra-light" heating oil.

The objective of reducing the consumption of heating oil by 5% compared to 1995 was almost achieved by
the end of the 1998/99 heating season (target: 74,600 MWh). Consumption is already below the 1995
level, corresponding to a reduction of 4%.

Energy, Fuels
Energy carriers 1999 Target reached:
10% less fuel consumption
Electricity
69%
Heating oil
Gas
District heating
1% 10% 14% Petrol
2% 4%
Diesel
Fuel Consumption Fuel consumption by revenue Total km driven

300
MJ / CHF (millions)
30000 80
250
km (millions)
Terajoules
200 60
Diesel
20000
150 40
Petrol
100 10000
20
50
0
0 0
1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999

Most of Swisscom’s vehicles use petrol; relatively few are diesel-powered. Diesel is also used to operate
stationary emergency power generators. Swisscom vehicles are constantly on the move on Swiss roads for
purposes of customer service, network maintenance and logistics. About 11% of Swisscom’s entire energy
consumption is from vehicle fuels. These contribute to the greenhouse effect by emitting CO2 when used.
The air pollutant NOx is also emitted. Swisscom uses unleaded petrol.

Swisscom’s vehicle pool has been reduced by 1500 since 1997. Since the end of 1998, the vehicles have
been carrying much lighter loads, which has contributed significantly to the reduction in fuel consumption
per vehicle.
Since 1998, the company has also been buying smaller vehicles which use less fuel. In principle, ecological
and economic arguments have equal weight when purchasing vehicles. In concrete terms: The size and
features of the vehicle must suit the purpose for which it is intended.

The set objective of reducing the consumption of fuel by 10% compared to 1995 was almost achieved by
the end of 1999 (target: 7.5 million litres). This result is mainly due to the smaller vehicle pool.
Swisscom employees are obliged to drive economically, safely and in an ecologically friendly way. Professional
driving courses are being prepared to ensure that employees understand and practise the correct driving
methods.

Emissions into the air
The reduction in the consumption of heating and vehicle fuels

has had an effect
Emissionen in die Emissions into the air: NOX Emissions into the air: SO 2
L u f t : C O2
80 35
40000 30
60
Tonnes
25
Tonnes
38000
Tonnen
20
36000 40
15
34000
20 10
32000 5
30000 0 0
1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999

Emissions into the air mainly result from the combustion of fuels for vehicles and heating purposes (indirect
emissions caused by power generation for Swisscom are not taken into account here). The greenhouse gas
CO2 is produced, as are the air pollutants NOx and SO2. SO2 is the main cause of winter smog and acid rain.
NOx is also a contributing factor to acid rain and is the main cause of summer smog. Note: NOx is a mixture
of the nitrogen oxides NO and NO2.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC), which also contribute to summer smog, are emitted during refuelling
with petrol. Swisscom does not use any organic solvents. CFCs of type R12, which are still used in some air-
conditioning units, are to be replaced as soon as possible. As no refilling has been necessary in the last few
years, there have been no CFC emissions.

With the reduction in the consumption of the above-mentioned fuels, emissions into the air have decreased
in the last few years (conversion factors according to BUWAL). The introduction of ecologically friendly
heating oil with a very low sulphur content has had a notable effect on SO2 emissions, reducing them by
80%.

The decrease in emissions into the air is dependent on the reduction in the consumption of petrol and
heating fuels. If the “Energy, Fuels” objectives are achieved, this has a direct effect on emissions.

Ground contamination
On the track of contaminated waste

Not only can fertile ground be “consumed” by construction and civil engineering works, it can also be
contaminated by foreign substances and pollutants. Construction activity and improper waste treatment in
industry are both causes of ground contamination. Most old contamination (“inherited burdens”) stems
from commercial and industrial facilities of earlier days, when very generous waste legislation was in force.
Swisscom owns around 1700 buildings and must assume that some of those are on contaminated ground.

No action has been taken in the last few years with the exception of a one-off major decontamination
project in connection with an inherited burden. In the context of the survey by the cantons of the “cadaster
of suspected inherited burdens”, Swisscom has begun to investigate the history of the land belonging to the
company (the “historical investigation”).

Swisscom intends to gain a clear picture of all inherited burdens on company-owned land.

Waste (Recycling)
Amount of waste 1999 Implementing even more systematic recycling
Telecom
waste
Other
waste
Waste Waste by turnover Telecom waste 1999

kg / CHF (millions) Dry
10000 1000 Unusual battery
waste 11%
8000 800 5%
Tonnes
6000 600 Building Electronic

4000 400 rubble, scrap 15%
bulky
2000 200
bulding Lead
0 0 Coaxial battery
material50
cable 15%
1998 1999 1998 1999 %
4%

“Waste is raw material in the wrong place.” This quotation sums up the problem of waste perfectly. The
problem is how to feed waste – or rather, used material – back into production. In order to do that,
materials must be segregated as far as possible. The more fully segregated the materials, the better are the
possibilities for recycling them.
The subject of waste materials is of great relevance to Swisscom. Most waste material comes from network
renewals.

In 1998 and before, the network infrastructure (cables and exchanges) underwent large-scale renewal,
resulting in a very large amount of waste material. The amount of waste material then decreased in 1999.
The so-called “household waste” – that is, unrecyclable administrative waste produced by employees – is not
included in the figures.
Recycling end user equipment:

Swisscom takes all end user equipment back free of charge and has it disposed of by businesses that are
licensed by the EMPA St. Gallen to dispose of electronic waste.
Recycling mobile telephones:

In 1999, an advance fee was introduced for the disposal of mobile telephones. This pays for disposal by the
SWICO (Swiss Association for information, communication and organisation technology). A small additional
charge on new mobile telephones can cover the costs of disposal of telephones returned in Switzerland.
Further use of PCs:

When new computer workstations were installed at Swisscom, old PCs which were still in working order
were passed on for use elsewhere (sold at a reduced price to employees etc.).

Hazardous waste is insignificant in volume, but is a problem nevertheless. This waste needs to be disposed of
by special procedures.

There are plans to introduce the SWICO recycling system for all end user equipment by 2001.
In general, Swisscom believes it is important to tackle the waste problem at its source, that is, at the
production stage, and to do so by collaboration with suppliers (in German, summary in English) whose
equipment is as free as possible from pollutants and therefore easier to recycle.
What can be recycled?

(according to swico, http://www.swico.ch)
Direct recycling (through retailers, manufacturers):

• Entire devices after an overhaul and a comprehensive performance check
• Modules and components as replacement parts (for example printed

circuit boards)
Materials recycling (by recycling plants):
• All metals (almost loss-free recycling)

• Plastics/packagings as new raw materials or energy sources
• Glass for making special purpose glasses

Noise
Smaller vehicle pool – less noise
Share of noise from Swisscom

vehicles
0.25
0.20
0.15
[%]
0.10
0.05
0.00
1998 1999

Noise emissions at Swisscom come primarily from its vehicles. Other noise emissions are so small that they can
be ignored.
It is hard to define a total noise indicator. Noise cannot be quantified, is not cumulative and disappears
when its source ceases to operate. As noise is always local, the relationship between area and noise level
could serve as an indicator. This would indicate the size of the area that is polluted by a noise that exceeds
the immission limit in residential areas of 60 dB (A). This method is described in the literature (Ökoinventar
Transporte, M. Maibach et al., Verlag INFRAS, April 1999).
As vehicles are the only source of noise at Swisscom, another, simpler approach was chosen. The share of
noise emissions produced by Swisscom vehicles is defined in relation to the total number of vehicles in
Switzerland. On the basis of this analysis, Swisscom vehicles produce 0.17% of the noise caused by road
traffic.

The share of the noise emissions in Switzerland produced by Swisscom vehicles has decreased by 10% over
the last few years. The reason for this is that the fleet has been reduced.

Noise reduction is linked with management of the vehicle fleet. Further noise reduction will continue to be
an indirect objective for Swisscom.

Electromagnetic fields
Safety first – the research continues

Swisscom operates 3800 antennas to transmit your calls and your data using electromagnetic waves. The
area to be served is divided into cells, each with an antenna. Two frequencies are used:GSM 900 MHz and
1800 MHz.
The safety of the transmission devices (in German, summary in English) is of fundamental importance to
Swisscom in the area of mobile communication.

Swisscom offers the best coverage in Switzerland and has a correspondingly high number of antennas.
However, the cell size is constantly being reduced, which enables the emission power of the individual
antennas to be reduced as well (for details see below). When future networks are set up, the smaller
antennas can be better integrated into the countryside or into buildings. The ordinance on protection
against non-ionising radiation has been in force since December 1999, and Swisscom installations comply
with its requirements.

Knowledge of the possible biological effects of electromagnetic fields must always be maintained at the
highest level and must always be kept up to date. Swisscom will continue to invest in internal and external
research in this field.
Questions and answers on mobile telephone technology:
Swisscom Homepage: (http://www.swisscom.com) → services → mobile communication → mobile telephony
→ FAQ.

Electromagnetic fields – detailed explanation
Influence of the cell size

We will compare a reference model (small cells with a distance of 2km between the base stations, all with
equal transmission power) and an upgrade scenario with micro cells at a distance of 500m (Figure 1), which
increases the system capacity by a factor of sixteen. We assume here that the power of the base stations for
the micro cells will be reduced so much that the signal at the edge of the cell remains just equally strong and
no more. For the simulated micro cells, this corresponds to a reduction in the power of an individual base
station by a factor of 64 (e.g. from 300 W to slightly less than 5 W per cell). For both scenarios, we will
calculate an average immission value (electrical field strength) in the innermost (small) cell. The model
calculation does not show any increase for the micro cells; there is actually a reduction in immissions to
approx. 70% of the value for the reference model (Figure 2).
Figure 1. Schematic of a model with small cells at a distance of 2km or micro cells at a distance of 500 m (in
the model, twice as many stations were used as are shown here).
Figure 2. Result for the network capacity and the average immissions (field strength) for small and/or micro
cells.

Although the system capacity of the micro cell network is larger by a factor of 16, the immissions are still
only approx. 70% of those of the reference model (2km cells). This is due to the reduction in power from
approx. 300 watts to approx. 5 watts per cell.
This result must, however, be interpreted with care because it is heavily dependent on the parameters of the
model. In reality, the immissions depend on the location of the base stations, on the transmission power, the
direction and characteristics of the antennas and the conditions for distribution, which are heavily influenced
by the topography and the development of the area. If we consider the less favourable case where the
power of the micro cells is only reduced by a factor of 32 (instead of 64, i.e. from 300 watts to 10 watts per
cell) because, for example, coverage is to be improved for the micro cells, the immissions remain constant. At
a factor of 16 (i.e. reduction to 20 watts), they rise slightly (to approx. 14%). If, conversely, a r4-law (instead
of r3) is used in calculating the signal loss, the immissions can even be reduced by approx. 50 %. This range
of variation in the expected immissions is shown as a shaded area in Figure 2. It should be pointed out that it
is in the interest of the network operators not to use too much power, since lower power can prevent
interference which damages the system capacity.
However, it is important to make a comparison with a further upgrade scenario, where the capacity would
also be raised by a factor of 16 by using additional frequency channels (assuming that these were available)
at the existing base stations with the same size of cell. In this case the immissions would rise by a factor of 4
(= √16). So as far as immissions are concerned, the transition to micro cells is preferable to using additional
channels in every case.

Accidents
Controlling, minimising and eliminating risks

Accidents are extraordinary events that do not occur in normal operation. The potential risk to the
environment depends a great deal on whether or not environmentally hazardous materials are used by a
company, and in what quantity.
As Swisscom is a service company, environmentally hazardous accidents are not particularly relevant.
Nevertheless, there are potential risks.

Swisscom’s primary aim is not to use any environmentally hazardous materials to start with, and to
substitute alternatives for any that may already be in use. If this is not possible, Swisscom takes care to
ensure that only small quantities of such materials are stored.
It is not always easy to recognise environmentally hazardous materials as such. They can be “hidden” in a
piece of equipment or in an installation. For example, Swisscom emergency battery units use lead batteries.
The electrolyte used in these energy storage units is sulphuric acid, a substance for which there is a legal
quantity limit. Swisscom has a large number of these battery units, some of which have been retrofitted by
agreement with the authorities in order to prevent accidents.

Swisscom has recorded and evaluated all potential environmental risks in a corporate risk analysis. The risks
are monitored, minimised as far as possible and – ideally – eliminated entirely. The risk analysis is updated
once a year.


1998 1999 Swisscom

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Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99

I. Telecommunications – a chance for the environment

Please send your comments by e-mail to:

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 1/32

Telecommunications is among those sectors with the greatest potential

"Dematerialisation" by substituting for resource-intensive market services

Innovation leads the way to increasingly economical use of resources

Economic efficiency generates high ecological efficiency

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 2/32

A target-orientated and systematic approach is the key to successful environmental management

Environmental policy at Swisscom

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 3/32

Thanks to telecommunications, physical processes can be made much more

A wide range of telecommunications services support sustained development. Sustainability in ecological

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 4/32

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 5/32

Swisscom actively supports manufacturers in the development of

As a reseller of telecommunications equipment, Swisscom promotes the ecological improvement of the

Action Environmental impact

First ecological telecom device

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 6/32

Collaborations and joint activities in the field of environmental

Environmental sponsoring is intended to achieve several objectives. Swisscom would like

What is GLOBE? (in German, summary in English)

What does Swisscom do for GLOBE?

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 7/32

Who is the WWF Switzerland?

What does Swisscom do for the WWF Switzerland?

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 8/32

Ecological and economic interests need not necessarily

Standards and certification

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 9/32

4. The environmental organisation and system improvement

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 10/32

Training, awareness and

ENVIRONMENTAL ORG./ SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 11/32

§ Importance, system boundaries, methodology

Electromagnetic fields Water consumption

Noise Energy, electrical

Waste Energy, heating

Ground contamination Energy, fuels

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 12/32

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 13/32

Table of Swisscom environmental ratios:

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 14/32

General definition of eco-efficiency:

Establishing the value added:

Establishing the damage creation:

Value added CHF (million) 6363 6700 6368

CO2 emissions Tonnes 39264 37478 33626

Value added / CO2 CHF / tonne CO2 162057 178772 189379

Value added by CO2 emission Value added per energy consumption

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 15/32

Energy Extra Programme:

Electrical energy: 10% reduction

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 16/32

Importance for the environment and for Swisscom

Development in recent years

Objectives and their achievement

Swisscom Ltd E-Mail: albert.kuhn@swisscom.com Swisscom Environmental Report 1998/99 17/32

Consumption of photocopier and Consumption of photocopier Consumption of photocopier and

No. of sheets per employee

Importance for the environment and for Swisscom