| Cover image of Huawei's sustainability report / Courtesy of Huawei Korea |
Its Korean unit said on Tuesday that the company recently released its 2020 sustainability report to share what kinds of progress it has made over the past years in its four strategies for sustainability: digital inclusion, security and trustworthiness, environmental protection and a harmonious business ecosystem.
Despite the pandemic having caused disruptions in education and healthcare systems all over the world, the company said that it has been using its innovative technologies to provide people across different regions with equal access to quality education and healthcare resources, as well as playing its part in the fight against the pandemic.
"In 2020, Huawei rolled out its 'Skills on Wheels' and 'Connecting Schools' programs in over 200 schools around the world, benefiting more than 60,000 people. Huawei also used ICT solutions to assist the pandemic response in the communities where it operates, as well as providing technical assistance to nearly 90 countries, doing its best to support local communities in this time of great need," the company said.
Huawei also launched what it calls RuralStar Pro, which provides voice and mobile broadband services to sparsely populated remote villages. The firm added that RuralStar now provides network coverage to more than 50 million people in remote areas.
Also, the company said that it has continuously increased cybersecurity and privacy protection measures. "Technology should serve people in a manner that fully respects their rights by guaranteeing informed choice and consent," Tao Jingwen, a board member and chairman of Huawei's corporate sustainable development (CSD) committee, said in the report.
As part of its efforts, Huawei has obtained 2,963 patents related to cybersecurity and privacy protection around the world as of the end of 2020. The company also signed data processing agreements with more than 5,000 suppliers and performed extensive due diligence in order to ensure compliance.
To create a more sustainable digital world, Huawei said that it has focused on cutting carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy and using more eco-friendly materials for the packaging of its products.
"An intelligent world should be a green world," Huawei Chairman Liang Hua said. "Advances in technology can help us better understand and protect nature, mitigating the impact of human activity on the planet. We believe that technology can work in harmony with nature and help make this world a better place."