Sustainability is deeply embedded in stc group’s corporate strategy, forming the foundation of its role as a leading digital enabler. stc group upholds a strong commitment to environmental responsibility, human capital empowerment and sound governance. By integrating sustainability into its core operations, stc group advances its vision to enable societal progress and contribute to sustainable economic growth within Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Through active engagement with both current and emerging sustainability priorities, stc group continues to position itself as an innovative and forward-thinking partner, ready to meet the evolving expectations of its people (customers, employees and communities). Its dedication to responsible practices enhances operational resilience and drives long-term value creation.
Sustainability strategy and objectives
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In 2025, stc group refreshed and updated its three-year rolling sustainability strategy to cover the period 2026-2028. This approach ensures strategic priorities remain dynamic, responsive and aligned with emerging trends, stakeholder expectations and national and international objectives. The new strategy takes into consideration new and anticipated regulatory changes across global and national landscapes.
While the strategic pillars remain unchanged, the strategic objectives and targets have been refined to reflect new priorities and emerging trends. Each framework pillar includes defined strategic objectives, material topics and quantitative targets supported by clear roles and responsibilities to ensure accountability and effective implementation across stc group.
stc group’s annual Sustainability reports outline its detailed sustainability performance for the year and initiatives that are underway across its operations.
Environmental performance and climate
As a leading digital and telecommunications provider, stc group continues to advance its environmental stewardship through sustainable innovation, efficient resource management and technology-driven climate action. In alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives (SGI and MGI), stc group is accelerating its transition toward a low-carbon economy with a clear objective of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Its climate initiatives provide direction across business units and subsidiaries, supporting alignment toward sustainable and inclusive growth.
stc group’s long-term commitment includes planting one million trees by 2030, contributing directly to the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. Efforts are underway to monitor and nurture planted trees, with over 85,000 trees planted and a target of reaching over 220,000 trees by the end of 2026.
stc group’s climate commitment
Plant
One million
trees
Plant
One million
trees
Target year: 2030
Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030
Supports Vision 2030’s Ambitious Nation pillar promoting environmental stewardship and enhancing quality of life.
Alignment with Saudi Green Initiative
Contributes to SGI’s national goal to plant 10 billion trees, increase green cover and restore degraded lands.
reduction in Scope 1 and 2
50%
(from 2019 baseline)
reduction in Scope 1 and 2
50%
(from 2019 baseline)
Target year: 2030
Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030
Aligns with Vision 2030’s goal to reduce national emissions intensity and promote efficient energy use.
Alignment with Saudi Green Initiative
Contributes to SGI’s decarbonization pathway toward net zero through technology-driven efficiency measures.
reduction in Scope 3
46.2%
(from 2019 baseline)
reduction in Scope 3
46.2%
(from 2019 baseline)
Target year: 2030
Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030
Demonstrates private sector leadership under Vision 2030’s sustainability ecosystem.
Alignment with Saudi Green Initiative
Supports SGI’s commitment to engage private sector in emission reduction and sustainable supply chains.
Net zero
carbon operations
Net zero
carbon operations
Target year: 2050
Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030
Advances Vision 2030’s long-term objective of a low-carbon, sustainable economy.
Alignment with Saudi Green Initiative
Reinforces SGI’s vision for a carbon neutral region and supports the Kingdom’s commitment to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2060.
Figure 1 - stc group climate commitments aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and SGI
Development of human capital through digital innovation
stc group continued to advance human capital development by empowering individuals and communities through inclusive practices, diversity initiatives and strategic social investment programs. By leveraging technological innovation, stc group fosters growth, bridges societal divides and cultivates a culture of well-being and belonging, ensuring its efforts drive meaningful and lasting impact.
stc group is dedicated to maximizing positive value for local communities through flagship programs. Collaboration is central to this mission, with strategic partnerships enabling stc group to address society’s pressing challenges and unlock new opportunities. stc group’s community engagement efforts aim to enhance the capacity and success of the third sector, supporting initiatives that drive sustainable community progress.
Strong governance and ethical excellence
stc group remains committed to upholding the highest standards of governance, integrity, transparency and accountability. By embedding responsible business practices, safeguarding human rights and fostering a culture of trust, stc group continues to set a benchmark for ethical conduct in the telecom and ICT industry.
When it comes to sustainability, stc group’s sustainability governance model incorporates sustainability across the organization, providing comprehensive tools and risk management for ESG and climate considerations. The Executive Management Sustainability Committee, chaired by the GCEO, reviews and approves annual sustainability reports, monitors progress and discusses key ESG topics. The Sustainability Committee, chaired by the GCEO, comprises eight C-suite members. The Sustainability GM serves as a non-voting member, and the Sustainability Planning and Partnerships Management Director acts as rapporteur. The Committee ensures strategic oversight of sustainability commitments, ESG performance and key initiatives.
In 2025, stc group updated and published its Sustainable Policy, which was approved by GCEO. The policy sets out the principles and governing framework for all sustainability-related activities across stc group, covering ESG dimensions. It serves as a cornerstone for integrating sustainability into processes, ensuring consistency, accountability and best practices.
Rising ESG ratings
stc group’s continued commitment to transparency and sustainability has been reflected in the steady improvement of its ESG ratings across leading global assessment platforms.
As at October 2025, stc group received an MSCI ESG Rating of AA. This marks the third consecutive year of rating improvement since 2022, reflecting stc group’s sustained commitment to embedding sustainability, governance and operational excellence across its business.
Sustainability awards and recognition
stc group achieved distinguished awards at both national and international levels that underscore its leadership in innovation, social responsibility and sustainable practices.
In 2025, stc group was honored with the King Khalid Award for Sustainability (First Place – Gold Award), one of the Kingdom’s most distinguished recognitions for sustainability excellence. The award reflects stc group’s comprehensive approach to ESG, positioning it as a leader in driving sustainable transformation in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.
In addition, the technical enablement program (TEP) was recognized as a champion program in WSIS 2025 Prizes category 2 – Information and Communication infrastructure. This global recognition celebrates stc group’s innovative use of digital technologies to empower NPOs and community at large, reinforcing stc group’s role as a digital enabler.
Furthermore, stc group was recognized by receiving two awards by the ESG Business Awards, the Economic Empowerment award for the technical enablement program (TEP) and the Social Inclusion and Equal Opportunities award for the braille sports board, representing stc group’s commitment to advancing sustainable and inclusive digital solutions.