Team Telecom Armenia to Plant a One-Hectare Forest in Lori Region

In celebration of Earth Day, Team Telecom Armenia has launched a new sustainable development initiative, engaging its customers in the effort.

For every smartphone sold during the past week, the company will plant 10 trees, resulting in the creation of a one-hectare forest in the Bovadzor community of Armenia’s Lori region.

From its inception, Team Telecom Armenia has been committed to environmental stewardship, a principle embedded in its Sustainable Development Strategy. With forests playing a critical role as Armenia’s primary carbon sinks, and with the company aiming to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 40% by 2029, expanding forested areas has become a strategic priority.

We’ve been joining Earth Day for the past three years, demonstrating our Company’s commitment to sustainable development in practice”,- said Arevik Mkrtchyan, Environmental and Social Expert at Team Telecom Armenia.

“We’re especially proud that this year’s initiative is widely supported by our customers. Afforestation is vital for regions vulnerable to climate change, which is why we selected Lori — an area frequently impacted by natural disasters.”

The tree planting will be carried out in collaboration with the Armenia Tree Project (ATP), an organization that has extensive experience in afforestation and nature conservation. ATP will also oversee the long-term care and maintenance of the new forest. Full afforestation will take place during spring and fall 2025.

“When creating forests, we consider not only their environmental benefits, but also the protective, socio-economic functions, along with their role in preserving biodiversity,” said Vahe Matsakyan, Head of the Forestry Projects at Armenia Tree Project. “Given the growing threat of climate-related disasters, we are increasing our afforestation efforts each year, prioritizing the most vulnerable areas”.

Team Telecom Armenia has made notable progress in environmental sustainability over recent years through the implementation of a comprehensive Environmental & Social Management System. In 2024, 22.8% of the company’s vehicle fleet consisted of electric vehicles, significantly contributing to GHG emission reduction efforts. Additionally, the installation of solar photovoltaic systems led to 4.1% of the company’s total energy consumption coming from renewable sources — a 20-fold increase compared to 2022.

The company has also made strides in promoting circularity within Company premises, such as:

•    Over 6,000 kg of paper and cardboard have been recycled during 2024.
•    The adoption of e-sim technology has eliminated the need for approximately 557 kg of plastic, preventing equivalent plastic waste.
•    Through the reuse of electronic devices, nearly 11,522 units were refurbished or repurposed in the past year alone.

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22, dedicated to promoting and supporting environmental protection efforts around the world. This year, it is observed under the inspiring theme: “Our Power, Our Planet”, emphasizing the collective responsibility and potential of individuals and communities to protect and restore the environment.