GRI 2-1

Organizational details

See our 10-K Form (cover page and part 1).

GRI 2-2

Entities included in the organization’s sustainability reporting

AT&T reporting covers AT&T Inc., unless otherwise noted in the footnotes of our issue briefs. AT&T Inc. is referred to as “we,” "our" or “AT&T” throughout this index.

The entities included in our sustainability/ESG reporting align with those included in our annual 10-K and quarterly financial reports, which cover all company-owned or -controlled operations. Quantitative metrics include DIRECTV data through the divestiture of that unit in July 2021, as well as Vrio data through the divestiture of that unit in November 2021 – unless otherwise footnoted.

GRI 2-3

Reporting period, frequency and contact point

Period: Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2021, aligned to our financial reporting
Publication date: March 2022
Frequency: Annual
Contact: Brooke Hanson, Director - Global ESG Reporting and Strategy, brooke.hanson@att.com

GRI 2-4

Restatement of information

Relevant restatements are included in respective issue briefs. See the issue briefs listed in our Reporting Library for more information.

GRI 2-5

External assurance

External assurance was not sought for this GRI report as a whole. AT&T uses an external third-party organization to assure select environmental data. For FY2021, S&P Global Sustainable1 assured calculations of our Scope 1, 2 and 3 (select categories) greenhouse gas emissions as well as select categories for our Scope 2 and 3 energy use. For more information, please see the Independent Accountant's Report.

GRI 2-6

Activities, value chain and other business relationships

In April 2022, we completed a transaction to combine our WarnerMedia segment, subject to certain exceptions, with a subsidiary of Discovery, Inc. In July 2021, we completed a transaction with TPG Capital involving our North America video business – including DIRECTV, AT&T TV and U-verse – to form a new company called DIRECTV. In November 2021, we completed the sale of our Latin America video operations, Vrio, to Grupo Werthein. In June 2022, we completed the sale of the programmatic advertising marketplace component of Xandr Inc to Microsoft.

For more information, see our 10-K Form (part 1).

GRI 2-7

Employees

See the Our Workforce issue brief and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion website for employee data. Our data is reported in headcount as of the end of the year 2021.

GRI 2-8

Workers who are not employees

AT&T is not able to provide this data, as it is proprietary and confidential.

GRI 2-9

Governance structure and composition

See the Our Corporate Governance issue brief and our Proxy Statement.

GRI 2-10

Nomination and selection of the highest governance body

See the Our Corporate Governance issue brief and our Proxy Statement.

GRI 2-11

Chair of the highest governance body

See the Our Corporate Governance issue brief and our Proxy Statement.

GRI 2-12

Role of the highest governance body in overseeing the management of impacts

See the ESG section of our Proxy Statement and the Our Corporate Governance issue brief, as well as other issue briefs in our Reporting Library for information on how the Board of Directors oversees company efforts relative to our most important ESG topics.

GRI 2-13

Delegation of responsibility for managing impacts

See the Our Corporate Governance issue brief and the ESG section of our Proxy Statement.

GRI 2-14

Role of the highest governance body in sustainability reporting

The Governance and Policy Committee (GPC) assists the AT&T Board of Directors (the Board) in oversight of environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy, including related policies, programs and ESG reporting. The Audit Committee of the Board oversees our enterprise risk assessment activities and audit functions, which incorporate ESG risks and disclosures. For more information, see the ESG section of our Proxy Statement.

GRI 2-15

Conflicts of interest

See our Code of Ethics, Code of Business Conduct and the Our Corporate Governance issue brief.

GRI 2-16

Communication of critical concerns

See the Our Corporate Governance issue brief and the ESG section of our Proxy Statement.

GRI 2-17

Collective knowledge of the highest governance body

See our Proxy Statement and the Our Corporate Governance issue brief.

GRI 2-18

Evaluation of the performance of the highest governance body

See our Proxy Statement and Corporate Governance Guidelines.

GRI 2-19

Remuneration policies

See our Proxy Statement.

GRI 2-20

Process to determine remuneration

See our Proxy Statement.

GRI 2-21

Annual total compensation ratio

See our Proxy Statement and Annual Report.

GRI 2-22

Statement on sustainable development strategy

See the CEO letter in our annual ESG Summary.

GRI 2-23

Policy commitments

See our Policies page.

GRI 2-24

Embedding policy commitments

See our Policies page and the issue briefs in our Reporting Library for more information on how we embed policy commitments for responsible business conduct in our business activities addressing our most important ESG issues.

GRI 2-25

Processes to remediate negative impacts

See the issue briefs in our Reporting Library for more information on our managerial and programmatic approach to addressing our most important ESG issues.

GRI 2-26

Mechanisms for seeking advice and raising concerns

See the Our Corporate Governance and Environment, Health & Safety Compliance issue briefs as well as the AT&T Code of Business Conduct.

GRI 2-27

Compliance with laws and regulations

See the AT&T Code of Business Conduct as well as the Our Corporate Governance and Environment, Health & Safety Compliance issue briefs. You may also reference additional issue briefs in our Reporting Library for information on responsible business conduct in our business activities addressing our most important ESG issues.

GRI 2-28

Membership associations

AT&T contributes to industry associations and coalitions, such as the Motion Picture Association of America, United States Telecom Association and NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, and other associations that advocate on matters of importance to the industry on behalf of their members.

For more information on the memberships and coalitions we support, see our Political Engagement Report and see the Issue Briefs listed on our Reporting Library web page.

GRI 2-29

Approach to stakeholder engagement

See our ESG Material Issues.

GRI 2-30

Collective bargaining agreements

AT&T Communications has approximately 37% union-represented employees – one of the largest full-time union-represented workforces in America. See the Our Workforce issue brief for more information.

GRI 3-1

Process to determine material topics

See our ESG Material Issues.

GRI 3-2

List of material topics

In 2021, we conducted an ESG material issues assessment that included feedback from external stakeholders and AT&T employees. We updated our material topics as reflected in this GRI index and in the Issue Briefs listed on our Reporting Library web page. See our ESG Material Issues for more details.

GRI 3-3

Management of material topics

See our Network Quality & Reliability issue brief. 

GRI 201-1

Direct economic value generated and distributed

See our Network Quality & Reliability and Community Engagement issue briefs as well as our 10-K Form.

GRI 3-3

Management of material topics

See our Digital Divide issue brief.

GRI 203-1

Infrastructure investments and services supported

See our Network Quality & Reliability, Community Engagement and Digital Divide issue briefs.

GRI 203-2

Significant indirect economic impacts

See our Network Quality & Reliability, Community Engagement and Digital Divide issue briefs.

GRI 3-3

Management of material topics

See the Our Corporate Governance issue brief and Code of Business Conduct.

GRI 205-3

Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken

See the Our Corporate Governance issue brief.

GRI 206-1

Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust and monopoly practices

See the Our Corporate Governance issue brief.

GRI 3-3

Management of material topics

See our Energy Management issue brief.

GRI 302-1

Energy consumption within the organization

Total fuel consumption within the organization from non-renewable sources, in joules or multiples, and including fuel types used: 10,632,232 GJ

Total fuel consumption within the organization from renewable sources, in joules or multiples, and including fuel types used: 34,501 GJ 

In joules, watt-hours or multiples, the total:

• Electricity consumption: 50,270,261 GJ
• Heating consumption: N/A
• Cooling consumption: 49,803 GJ
• Steam consumption: 134,213 GJ

Note: Data includes purchased/consumed energy as well as non-fuel self-generated energy (owned solar).

Energy sold (including electricity, heating, cooling and steam sold) is not applicable. AT&T’s large-scale renewable projects are settled in the energy marketplace and not factored into section 302-1.

Total energy consumption within the organization, in joules or multiples: 61,121,009 GJ

Standards, methodologies, assumptions and/or calculation tools used: Calculations are based on published criteria, such as emission factors and global warming potential (GWP) values. Consumption values are generally tracked using inventory management systems and/or other documented estimation methodology (e.g., fleet records, generator runtime, etc.). All reporting is in line with the GHG Protocol and completed with the approach and methodologies applied in previous years, with updates as needed to ensure methodologies remain current.

Source of the conversion factors used: Conversion factors are based on published criteria such as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Thermal Energy Conversions Technical Reference to convert from native unit of measure (gallons or MMBtu) to MWh, and then from MWh to GJ (x * 3.600).

GRI 302-3

Energy intensity

Energy intensity ratio for the organization: 56.50 MWh electricity / thousand subscribers

Organization-specific metric (the denominator) chosen to calculate the ratio: Thousand subscribers

Types of energy included in the intensity ratio; whether fuel, electricity, heating, cooling, steam or all: Electricity consumption in MWh

Whether the ratio uses energy consumption within the organization, outside of it or both: Within the organization

GRI 302-4

Reduction of energy consumption

Amount of reductions in energy consumption achieved as a direct result of conservation and efficiency initiatives, in joules or multiples: 1,758,364 GJ

Types of energy included in the reductions; whether fuel, electricity, heating, cooling, steam or all: Electrical energy

Basis for calculating reductions in energy consumption, such as base year or baseline, including the rationale for choosing it: Annual electrical energy savings from historical consumption as baselined for each individual energy efficiency or conservation project.

Standards, methodologies, assumptions and/or calculation tools used: Consumption values are generally tracked using inventory management systems and/or other documented estimation methodology (e.g., fleet records, generator runtime, etc.). All reporting is in line with the GHG Protocol and completed with the approach and methodologies applied in previous years, with updates as needed to ensure methodologies remain current.

GRI 3-3

Management of material topics

See our Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions issue briefs.

GRI 201-2

Financial implications and other risks and opportunities due to climate change

See our CDP Climate Change survey response.

GRI 305-1

Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions

Gross direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions in metric tons of CO₂ equivalent: 997,129 MT CO₂e

Gases included in the calculation: CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, HFCs

Biogenic CO₂ emissions in metric tons of CO₂ equivalent: N/A

Base year for the calculation: 2015

Rationale for choosing the base year: Consistent with baseline SBTi-approved from Science-based Targets. 

Emissions in the base year: 1,134,340 MT CO₂e

Source of the emission factors and the global warming potential (GWP) rates used: DEFRA/DECC Conversion factors for Company Reporting (2021); The Climate Registry: Default Emission Factors (2021); Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scope 2 Guidance: an amendment to the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard (2015); IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (2006); The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard Revised Edition (2004); U.S. EPA Center for Corporate Climate Leadership (2021); Environment Canada National Inventory Report 1990-2019 (2021 submission); IPCC Fifth Assessment Report – 100 year GWPs (2014).

Consolidation approach for emissions: Operational control

Standards, methodologies, assumptions and/or calculation tools used: Calculations are based on published criteria, such as emission factors and GWP values. Consumption is generally tracked using inventory management systems and/or other documented estimation methodology (e.g., fleet records, generator runtime, etc.). All reporting is in line with the GHG Protocol and completed with the approach and methodologies applied in previous years, with updates as needed to ensure methodologies remain current. ENGIE Impact’s Carbon Manager platform is the primary tool for emissions calculations, while the Scope 2 market-based figure and emissions modeling are done manually.

GRI 305-2

Energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions

Gross location-based energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions in metric tons of CO₂e: 5,212,703 MT CO₂e

Gross market-based energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions in metric tons of CO₂e: 4,550,580 MT CO₂e

Gases included in the calculation: CO₂, CH₄, N₂O

Base year for the calculation: 2015

Rationale for choosing the base year: Consistent with baseline SBTi-approved from Science-based Targets.

Emissions in the base year: 7,694,918 MT CO₂e (Location-based)

Context for any significant changes in emissions that triggered recalculations of base year emissions: Approval of Science-based Targets.

Source of the emission factors and the global warming potential (GWP) rates used: DEFRA/DECC Conversion factors for Company Reporting (2021); Energy Information Administration EIA-1605 (2010); Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scope 2 Guidance: an amendment to the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard (2015); The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard Revised Edition (2004); U.S. EPA Center for Corporate Climate Leadership (2021); U.S. EPA eGRID2020 (2022); 2021 Green-e® Residual Mix Emissions Rates (2019 Data); IEA GHG Emissions from Electricity Generation, OECD/IEA, Paris, 2021. (Year 2019 data); AIB – European Residual Mixes 2020; Environment Canada National Inventory Report 1990-2019 (2021 submission); IPCC Fifth Assessment Report – 100 year GWPs (2014). 

Consolidation approach for emissions: Operational control

Standards, methodologies, assumptions and/or calculation tools used: Calculations are based on published criteria, such as emission factors and GWP values. Consumption is generally tracked using inventory management systems and/or other documented estimation methodology (e.g., fleet records, generator runtime, etc.). All reporting is in line with the GHG Protocol and completed with the approach and methodologies applied in previous years, with updates as needed to ensure methodologies remain current. ENGIE Impact’s Carbon Manager platform is the primary tool for emissions calculations, while the Scope 2 market-based figure and emissions modeling are done manually.

GRI 305-3

Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions

Gross other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions in metric tons of CO₂e: 1,833,277 MT CO₂e (not inclusive of supplier emissions)

Gases included in the calculation: CO₂, CH₄, N₂O

Biogenic CO₂ emissions in metric tons of CO₂e: 0

Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions categories and activities included in the calculation: Waste, business travel, downstream leased assets (set-top boxes and residential gateways).

Base year for the calculation: AT&T’s Scope 3 GHG emissions continue to grow due to improved reporting capabilities. AT&T has not established a Scope 3 baseline due to yearly improvements in its reporting scope.

Source of the emission factors and the global warming potential (GWP) rates used: DEFRA/DECC Conversion factors for Company Reporting (2021); The Climate Registry: Default Emission Factors (2021); Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scope 2 Guidance: an amendment to the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard (2015); The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard Revised Edition (2004); U.S. EPA Center for Corporate Climate Leadership (2021); U.S. EPA eGRID2020 (2022); 2021 Green-e® Residual Mix Emissions Rates (2019 Data); IEA GHG Emissions from Electricity Generation, OECD/IEA, Paris, 2021. (Year 2019 data) IPCC Fifth Assessment Report – 100 year GWPs (2014).

Consolidation approach for emissions: Operational control

Standards, methodologies, assumptions and/or calculation tools used: Calculations are based on published criteria, such as emission factors and GWP values. Consumption is generally tracked using inventory management systems and/or other documented estimation methodology (e.g., fleet records, generator runtime, etc.). All reporting is in line with the GHG Protocol and completed with the approach and methodologies applied in previous years, with updates as needed to ensure methodologies remain current. ENGIE Impact’s Carbon Manager platform is the primary tool for emissions calculations, while the Scope 2 market-based figure and emissions modeling are done manually.

GRI 305-4

GHG emissions intensity

GHG emissions intensity ratio for the organization: 22.45 MT CO₂e/thousand subscribers

Organization-specific metric (the denominator) chosen to calculate the ratio: Thousand subscribers

Types of GHG emissions included in the intensity ratio; whether direct (Scope 1), energy indirect (Scope 2) and/or other indirect (Scope 3): Scope 1 and market-based Scope 2 gross emissions

Gases included in the calculation: CO₂, CH₄, N₂O

For more information on how we calculate total network traffic, see our Energy Management issue brief.

GRI 305-5

Reduction of GHG emissions

GHG emissions reduced as a direct result of reduction initiatives, in metric tons of CO₂e: 316,114 MT CO₂e

Gases included in the calculation: CO₂, CH₄, N₂O

Base year or baseline, including the rationale for choosing it: 2020, to highlight year-over-year annualized reductions.

Scopes in which reductions took place; whether direct (Scope 1), energy indirect (Scope 2) and/or other indirect (Scope 3): Scope 1 and Scope 2

Standards, methodologies, assumptions and/or calculation tools used: Applied eGRID 2020 and IPCC AR5 GWP values to annualized emissions savings from 2021 completed energy reductions activities using non-baseload eGRID emission factors.

GRI 3-3

Management of material topics

See the Our Workforce issue brief.

GRI 404-1

Average hours of training per year per employee

See the Our Workforce issue brief.

GRI 404-2

Programs for upgrading employee skills and transition assistance programs

See the Our Workforce issue brief.

GRI 404-3

Percentage of employees receiving regular performance and career development reviews

See the Our Workforce issue brief.

GRI 3-3

Management of material topics

See the Our Workforce issue brief and our AT&T Diversity, Equity & Inclusion website.

GRI 405-1

Diversity of governance bodies and employees

See the Our Workforce issue brief, our AT&T Diversity, Equity & Inclusion website and our Proxy Statement.

GRI 3-3

Management of material topics

See our Privacy issue brief.

GRI 418-1

Substantiated complaints concerning breaches of customer privacy and losses of customer data

AT&T works hard to safeguard the privacy of customer and employee information. Despite our best efforts, there are occasions when unauthorized parties attempt to gain access to this information. The details associated with any such events are confidential. For more information on data protection and security, see our Privacy Center and Privacy issue brief.

GRI 3-3

Management of material topics

See our Network & Data Security issue brief.

N/A

Network & data security

See our Network & Data Security and Network Quality & Reliability issue briefs as well as AT&T Business: Cybersecurity.

GRI 3-3

Management of material topics

See our Business Continuity, Longevity & Innovation issue brief.

N/A

Technology innovation

See our Business Continuity, Longevity & Innovation issue brief.

GRI 3-3

Management of material topics

See our Network Quality & Reliability, Community Engagement and Business Continuity, Longevity & Innovation issue briefs.

N/A

Disaster response & relief

See our Network Quality & Reliability, Community Engagement and Business Continuity, Longevity & Innovation issue briefs.