GSMA Satisfied with Operator Sustainability Progress

The GSMA said that the new figures have revealed that global mobile operators are making strong progress in maximizing the use of renewable energy in their networks. The amount of renewable electricity used had increased in the 12 months since the COP26 summit in November 2021, as operators work to meet the United Nations’ net zero targets by 2050.

A renewable energy survey conducted by the GSMA found operators had made significant progress, upping their use of renewable energy through a range of approaches including power purchase agreements and renewable energy certificates from suppliers. The survey garnered responses from 33 operators in 86 markets, accounting for around half of all global mobile connections.

It showed operators in Europe and North America had more ready access to renewable energy sources, with the situation in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and South America more challenging due to a lack of regulatory guidance, limitations on power grid deployments, and an uneven playing field for greener suppliers. The GSMA called for collaboration between the public and private sectors to advance the industry’s green goals.

“Operators are making meaningful progress in the use of renewables to power communications networks. However, given the scale of demand, the GSMA calls for greater collaboration between the private and public sectors to expand the renewable energy infrastructure needed to hit our net zero ambitions. This will require reducing regulatory barriers, supporting market-based mechanisms to access renewable electricity, and incentivizing investment in new renewable power generation,“ said John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer at the GSMA.