Iridium Communications Inc., commonly known as Iridium, is a leading player in the satellite communications industry, headquartered in the United States. Founded in 2001, the company has established itself as a pioneer in providing global voice and data services through its unique constellation of low Earth orbit satellites. Iridium's core offerings include satellite phones, data modems, and IoT solutions, which are distinguished by their ability to deliver reliable connectivity in the most remote locations. With a significant presence in sectors such as maritime, aviation, and government, Iridium has achieved notable milestones, including the successful launch of its Iridium NEXT satellite constellation. Recognised for its robust network and innovative technology, Iridium continues to maintain a strong market position, serving a diverse clientele across the globe.
How does Iridium's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Telecommunications Services industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Iridium's score of 48 is higher than 63% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2023, Iridium Communications Inc. reported total carbon emissions of approximately 6,091,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2 (market-based), 1,830,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1, and 2,417,000 kg CO2e from Scope 3. This reflects a notable commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, particularly through its participation in the Paris Peace Forum’s “Net Zero Space” initiative, which aims for sustainable outer space use by 2030. Iridium has set ambitious targets, including a 30% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, using a 2016 baseline. This commitment underscores the company's proactive approach to climate action and aligns with industry standards for emissions reduction. The emissions data for previous years shows a trend of increasing Scope 2 emissions, with 5,824,000 kg CO2e in 2022 and 6,875,000 kg CO2e in 2021, indicating a need for effective strategies to meet their reduction goals. Iridium's climate commitments reflect a broader industry context where companies are increasingly held accountable for their environmental impact.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 231,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 8,531,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | 000,000 | 000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 |
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Iridium has not publicly committed to specific 2030 or 2050 climate goals through the major frameworks we track. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.

