Fairphone Impact Report shows CO₂ emissions halved
With strong growth and circular innovations, Fairphone wants to show that sustainability and success can go hand in hand.
Published on April 26, 2025
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On Earth Day, Fairphone presented its Impact Report 2024. The Dutch pioneer in sustainable technology shows that it is serious about its mission: to make the electronics market fairer and more sustainable. The highlight of the report: a 48% reduction in CO₂ emissions since 2022. This puts Fairphone on track to achieve its Net Zero target by 2045.
“Fairphone continues to raise the bar every year when it comes to creating positive impact,” says Monique Lempers, Chief Impact Officer at Fairphone. ”We are proving that growth and good entrepreneurship go hand in hand with taking better care of people and the planet.”
Growing in a shrinking market
While the global smartphone market is shrinking, Fairphone has managed to strengthen its position. In 2024, the company sold 103,053 smartphones, 3% more than expected. Through partners and B2B channels, Fairphone achieved growth rates of 65% and 50%, respectively. The introduction of new products such as Fairbuds – wireless earbuds with replaceable batteries – also underlines the brand's innovative strength.
All products sold by Fairphone in 2024 were 100% e-waste neutral. Through the Reuse & Recycle program, 62% of returned devices were reused. In addition, a growing proportion of repairs were carried out by customers themselves, reducing repair times by 39%.
With products designed for a lifespan of five years or more, Fairphone saved 1,540 tons of CO₂, 550,000 m³ of water, and 9 tons of raw materials in 2024 alone, according to the report.
Monique Lempers, Chief Impact Officer Fairphone
Fair materials
In 2024, Fairphone expanded its list of focus materials from 14 to 23, including cobalt, copper, gold, and lithium. There is an increasing focus on fair and sustainable extraction, including through partnerships with initiatives such as the Responsible Lithium Partnership.
Fairphone is also taking steps on the human side. Since 2019, the company has paid out over $1 million through the Living Wage Bonus, which ensures that workers in the production chain receive a living wage.
These efforts have not gone unnoticed: in 2024, Fairphone won both the prestigious King Willem I Prize for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and a GLOMO Award for climate innovation. For 2025, the company has ambitious plans to continue growing, launch new products, and increase its global impact.