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What does implementing an eco-design approach bring?

Orange has defined a global ecodesign approach for its products and services based on best practices and standards. The implementation of this ecodesign approach from the beginning of the Program hasmade it possible to involve all stakeholders and all contributors towards the common goal of limiting the environmental impact of the solution. Awareness of ecodesign is part of the training package for all contributors to the Program.

Actions identified and prioritized during this process include:

  • Integrating eco-design recommendations into software components for Evolution Platform, Front-End, and Back-End. These recommendations, developed by experts, aim to limit software environmental impact, e.g., micro-services, auto-scaling, right-sizing, data duplication avoidance, and log optimization. French general repository for ecodesign of digital services recommendations (RGESN) is also considered (see RGESN webpage). Another example is implementing a multi-vendor SD-WAN service with isolated common code and connectors for specific SD-WAN modules. Recommendations also apply to responsible and frugal AI, based on a French standards association (AFNOR) standards.
  • Considering environmental impact during architecture and design choices and the composition of services, such as chaining a security service with a cloud connectivity service. The fact of measuring the environmental impact can then allow us to propose action plans to reduce this impact, measure and display the gains obtained over time with our Clients.
  • Implementing circular economy and Life Cycle Analysis of SuperPOPs through the 'Orange Sustainable & Circular Ambition for Recertification' (OSCAR) program, which promotes refurbished equipment, reuse of decommissioned hardware among subsidiaries, and external resale for second or third life.
  • Promoting circular economy in Orange Business supply chains by increasing recovery rates of leased "Customer Premises Equipment" (CPE) at contract end or CPE obsolescence (70% in 2025), as well as the refurbished rate in new deliveries. The collected equipment is sent to our Partners to be sorted into three categories. 1) Reusable equipment, having a market value, and not directly recoverable. It is refurbished, tested and stocked with new equipment (routers for example). 2) Reusable equipment that still has a market value is resold, 3) Non-directly recoverable equipment is crushed to recover the raw materials.
  • Evaluating environmental policies of suppliers based on SBTI, CDP, and independent labels. Over 50% have verifiable commitments. Objectives are reviewed with key suppliers. Currently, 30% of CPE equipment supplied for managed connectivity offers is from refurbished sources (including the purchases of refurbished equipment). 
  • Offering a modular, customizable "à la carte" service catalog, with a single or pre-assembled selection, allowing to best adapt to the needs of the Client (upcoming). Selecting options available in the catalogue will allow customers to select the right type and level of service they need, and may result in hosting and operation savings.
  • Engaging Partners on their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitments, encouraging more virtuous and inclusive solutions. From the early stages of Partners’ onboarding, questions are asked about their commitment and action on CSR. Then each Partner must answer an ESG questionnaire to evaluate their involvement with questions like: "Is the carbon footprint of the provided software available?" or "Is the software compatible with hardware older than five years?". These exchanges allow to define the eco-maturity indicator. This work in collaboration with our Partners will optimize hosting on our infrastructures and could offer a less carbon-intensive solution than that of our competitors. These actions are part of the Orange Program "Partners To Net Zero Carbon" which aims to encourage our suppliers to align their activities with a lower emissions trajectory and to offer us products and services with a lower carbon impact.