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June, 2014
"I don’t want a strategy for sustainability, I want a sustainable strategy". These were the words used by Rob Shuter, shortly after his appointment as new CEO of Vodafone Netherlands in 2012. His statement was followed by a range of changes within our organisation. Sustainability became an integral part of the Vodafone strategy.
We stopped reporting on sustainability separately. Instead – in line with our new strategy – we published an integrated report. The next step was to integrate the team members of our sustainability team into existing teams; strategy, external affairs and regulatory & privacy. Our approach is in accordance with the new phase of CSR towards integrated thinking, which strives for an ultimate balance between commercial and societal interests, and a focus on opportunities with the largest impact.
An additional advantage of the integrated approach is that it creates more involvement and responsibility among employees for the economic, environmental, social and ethical aspects of our business operations. You might be wondering: will the CSR newsletter also disappear? Yes, it will. Of course we want to keep you informed, but this will also be done in an integrative manner from now on. After the summer we will let you know how exactly we are going to do this. For now we say: goodbye!
Judith Lichtenberg, Regulatory & Privacy
Martin de Jong, Strategy
Floor Klein, External Affairs
Danielle Puma, Vodafone Foundation
In case you have questions or remarks about our new way of working, please send us an email.
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Phone costs | Mobiles for Good | Street Charge | Stakeholder dialogues | Sustainability Facts
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The general perception is that mobile phone usage causes financial problems among youngsters. Last year, Vodafone started a partnership with the foundation ‘Weet Wat Je Besteedt’ (WWJB) [Know What You Spend] to address this concern. The objective of this partnership is to help youngsters gain better insights and control over their mobile phone costs. On behalf of this partnership, the research agency Young Works conducted a research among 1505 youngsters between 12 and 24 years old. The quantitative study shows that two-fifths of the youngsters exceed the monthly costs of their mobile phone subscription. However, they do not perceive this as a problem. The usage of a mobile phone is seen as "a basic necessity"” and high(er) costs are therefore perceived as "inevitable". At the end of the research, a small group of young people brainstormed about possible tools in order to increase insight on smartphone usage control. Vodafone now cooperates with WWJB on the next steps to be taken. |
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 This year, the third edition of the Mobiles of Good challenge is organised. This initiative, set up by the Vodafone Foundation, stimulates the development of mobile applications to solve social problems in the Netherlands. Examples include better healthcare, welfare, education, safety and employment opportunities. The challenge is open for anyone with an innovative idea for a product or service, which makes a contribution to society. During the Mobiles for Good final on June 10, 11 and 12, six winning teams will be chosen. They will receive a seed capital of € 30.000 and be allowed to participate in the Vodafone Mobiles for Good Innovation Bootcamp. Curious about the winning ideas? Keep an eye on the website during the coming weeks! |
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 Supported by Vodafone, three charging stations for mobile devices have been placed on Museumplein in Amsterdam last March. The charging stations are called ‘Street Charge’ and are fully powered by solar energy. The usage of the Street Charge is free for everyone and easy to operate: you connect your smartphone, tablet or camera to the USB or micro-USB cables of the Street Charge and your device will immediately be charging using energy from the sun. The charging stations have three solar panels of 45 Watt, generating enough energy even on cloudy days. The Street Charge can also be used during the night; it then makes use of the internal battery, which is being charged during the day. After 10 minutes of charging, your mobile phone is ready to be used again for a short phone call. By supporting the Street Charge, Vodafone wants to demonstrate the potential value of solar energy in daily life. |
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 Vodafone organised two stakeholder dialogues in May; one on May 16 for external stakeholders and one on May 19 for Vodafone employees. While the focus of last year’s stakeholder dialogues was solely on sustainability, this year we focussed on a broader range of relevant themes originating from the ‘Integrated Thinking’ vision. The validation of materiality – i.e. themes which are deemed important by our stakeholders - and the value Vodafone can add to society were key topics which were discussed. The outcome of the dialogues will be used for our Integrated Report and for further shaping our focus areas.
The report is currently being written, but we would already like to share 3 main themes with you which were frequently mentioned during both sessions:
1) The importance of transparency and communication;
2) The educative role of Vodafone towards the broader audience on the possibilities, but also the risks of smartphones and mobile technology;
3) The future of telecommunication and the necessity of innovation
The participants were actively involved during both sessions and provided valuable input.
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Vodafone supports the WakaWaka, the well-known charger for mobile phones. Buy a WakaWaka at Vodafone and you directly donate a WakaWaka to our ‘Instant Network’-programme; a temporary network for disaster areas. |
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Eco-score handset of this spring: Samsung Galaxy S5. With a score of 3.5 it is the highest ranked 4G smartphone. |
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Vodafone has won the mobile telephone tender of the municipality of Eindhoven. Part of this tender is a joined pilot in which we work together to make the social aspects of the supply chain more transparent and make improvements where necessary. |
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The ‘New Way of Working’ is increasingly called ‘Sustainable Working’. Vodafone has been an example of this way of working for many years within the Netherlands. Yearly approximately 300 companies receive the ‘mobile working experience’; a tour through the headquarters of Vodafone in Amsterdam. Are you interested? Sign up here. |
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Vodafone has become a member of the Ellen Mac Arthur Foundation as one of the CE100 companies wanting to stimulate circular economy. |
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30.000 WIJS magazines have already been distributed. We still have a limited number of magazines in stock. Are you interested? Please send an email with your request. |
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