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Reducing carbon emissions is a challenge faced by every industry worldwide, including the mobile communications sector. The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), organizer of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, stated that from 2019 to 2022, global mobile operators reduced their carbon emissions by 6%, with Europe leading the way with the significant 50% reduction.
The GSMA’s ‘Net Zero Report’ for the fourth consecutive year highlights the need for the mobile communications industry to achieve a 7% annual reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 to achieve a net zero by 2050. Based on the current performance in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle East, and North Africa, the GSMA is optimistic about achieving this goal.
Analysis shows that global mobile connectivity has grown by 7% over four years, with network traffic doubled. However, improvements in energy efficiency and energy transition have helped reduce overall operational carbon emissions.
GSMA’s Regulatory Director, John Giusti, stated, “we urge governments to play a more active role in supporting the mobile communications industry in accelerating decarbonization efforts and promoting investment in renewable energy. Some regions lack of renewable energy, posing obstacles to operators in achieving the net zero.”
According to data released by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) in 2022, mobile operators’ purchases of renewable energy totaled 50 TWh, accounting for 33% of total purchased electricity. This is higher than the 14% reported in 2019 and is equivalent to the annual electricity demand of Qatar or Singapore.
The latest report also found that in 2023, 8 new operators submitted new reduction targets to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), bringing the total to 70. These operators represent almost half of the global mobile connectivity, with 50 of them already passing the review.
As three-fourths of the overall carbon emissions of the mobile communications industry fall under Scope 3, GSMA announced two new circularity goals in June 2023. These goals aim to increase the circularity of mobile phones through reuse, refurbishment, and recycling, thereby reducing their environmental impact.
