ZTE Corporation is aligning its development with sustainable goals that resonate across the BRICS alliance. At the 2025 BRICS Women’s Leadership Forum, Chairman Fang Rong emphasized the company’s ongoing commitment to building a greener and more inclusive future.
Her insights reinforced ZTE’s long-standing position that advanced technologies can—and should—play a direct role in environmental protection, inclusive development, and sound corporate governance.
The presentation, themed “Technology for Good, Co-creating a Green and Sustainable BRICS Future,” outlined ZTE’s multi-pronged efforts to support ESG-focused innovation across its operations and broader stakeholder ecosystem.
Aligning Corporate Vision with the ESG Framework
ZTE Corp has strategically embedded ESG principles into its long-term development roadmap. Rather than treating environmental, social, and governance efforts as discrete initiatives, the company integrates them as a holistic framework that strengthens internal resilience and external impact.
The corporation follows a progressive ESG structure that begins with governance as the foundation. The company emphasizes that a sound governance system is essential for enabling meaningful social impact and consistent environmental responsibility.
This structured approach reflects ZTE’s ambition to endure as a century-strong enterprise that delivers value across generations.
Environmental Initiatives: Building a Green Digital Path
ZTE’s environmental strategy is focused on reducing its carbon footprint—promoting circular practices across its supply chain. This enables clients to do the same through green technology deployments.
Green Operations: Leading by Example
One of ZTE’s most significant achievements is the transformation of its Nanjing Binjiang Factory. By leveraging “5G + Smart Manufacturing”, the site has cut carbon emissions by 29% and received recognition as China’s first “five-star 5G factory”.
Over a three-year span, ZTE has reduced its cumulative carbon emissions by more than 27 million tons. This figure is equivalent to the ecological benefit of planting 300 million trees.
Green Supply Chain: Elevating Industry Standards
ZTE’s focus on environmental stewardship extends to its upstream suppliers. More than 150 suppliers have undergone dual-carbon audits with the company’s support. This initiative not only ensures accountability across the supply chain but also strengthens the environmental credentials of the entire value network.
Green Digital Infrastructure: Supporting Global Operators
Downstream, ZTE empowers telecom operators to improve energy efficiency. Through the deployment of green digital infrastructure, the company has helped operators—including those in BRICS countries—save over 10 billion kWh of electricity annually. These energy savings translate into real-world reductions in operational emissions for ZTE’s partners.
Green Empowerment: Cross-Sector 5G Innovation
ZTE continues to explore over one hundred 5G-enabled green innovation projects in 18 sectors. These initiatives are tailored to sector-specific needs but share a common goal: reducing environmental impact through digital transformation.
CDP has recognized ZTE’s leadership in green innovation. The global authority on carbon disclosure awarded the company an “A” rating for two consecutive years—a distinction held by only two Chinese companies.
Social Commitments: Bridging the Digital Divide with Technology for Good
ZTE’s social initiatives prioritize inclusive development. Its “Technology for Good” principle is more than a slogan. It shapes how the company deploys solutions in underserved regions, supports local economies, and promotes workforce diversity.
Strengthening Infrastructure in BRICS Countries
In BRICS member states such as South Africa and Egypt, ZTE has actively improved telecommunications infrastructure. The deployment of advanced network services has boosted digital connectivity. It also contributed to local job creation and improved livelihood opportunities.
These projects demonstrate the company’s role in supporting national development agendas through strategic technology deployment.
Supporting Women in the Workplace
ZTE also recognizes the importance of a diverse and inclusive work culture. The company has taken concrete steps to support female employees. In fact, it earned a place on Forbes’ World’s Top Female-Friendly Companies list.
In 2024, ZTE collaborated with more than 120 suppliers to join the United Nations Women’s initiative on promoting women’s career development. This partnership extends the company’s social commitments beyond its immediate workforce to the broader industry.
Supporting Rural Development and Education
Beyond connectivity, ZTE’s social investments include rural revitalization, access to education, healthcare, and humanitarian relief. These efforts ensure that the benefits of technology are shared equitably and contribute to long-term community resilience.
Governance Practices: Ensuring Sustainable and Ethical Growth
Sound governance remains a core strength for ZTE. The company sees compliance and governance as prerequisites for sustainable global operations, especially in today’s interconnected and regulated environment.
Compliance as a Strategic Imperative
ZTE’s compliance philosophy is woven into the corporate strategy. The company treats compliance as a top priority as it implements a multi-layered strategy. This is where internal culture provides directional guidance, rules are embedded into operational systems, and digital tools accelerate enforcement and monitoring.
Development of ECSS: An Integrated Compliance Platform
One of ZTE’s signature governance innovations is its Enterprise Compliance Service System (ECSS). This is the first independently developed compliance platform of its kind in China. ECSS embeds compliance directly into workflows to create seamless enforcement of rules and reduce risks throughout the organization.
Leading on Technology Ethics
The company recognizes the ethical questions emerging from advanced technologies like AI and large language models. ZTE has formed a Technology Ethics Committee that reports directly to the board.
The company has implemented controls across organizational, systemic, and evaluation levels to reduce risks such as privacy breaches and algorithmic discrimination. These measures position ZTE as a responsible player in emerging tech domains.
Global Recognition for ESG Performance
ZTE’s ESG performance has been recognized by multiple international authorities. The company earned a Gold Medal from EcoVadis, placing it among the top 4% of all companies evaluated globally. It also received the “World Internet Conference Outstanding Contribution Award”, affirming its leadership in sustainable digital development.
These accolades reflect the company’s alignment with both market expectations and global ESG standards, reinforcing its competitive positioning and long-term credibility.
Continued Commitment to “Technology for Good”
Chairman Fang Rong closed her address at the BRICS Women’s Leadership Forum by reiterating ZTE’s long-term commitment to “Technology for Good.”
As digitalization continues to reshape economic systems, ZTE remains focused on responsible innovation. They will continually support inclusive development, environmental stability, and ethical technology deployment.
The 2025 BRICS Women’s Leadership Forum was co-hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the China Chamber of International Commerce.
It served as a platform to deepen cross-border cooperation, promote mutual understanding, and advance sustainable development goals. In this setting, ZTE reaffirmed its position as a key contributor to a green and sustainable BRICS future.
ZTE Corporation is taking decisive steps to integrate sustainability into its technological and operational framework. Through practical initiatives across governance, social responsibility, and environmental protection, the company demonstrates how a global technology firm can contribute meaningfully to BRICS development priorities.
From smart factories and supply chain audits to AI governance and support for women in tech, ZTE’s multi-dimensional ESG approach provides a roadmap for others aiming to align profit with purpose.
As the global community accelerates its transition toward digital and green economies, ZTE stands out as a strategic partner in building a resilient and inclusive future.
