GSMA Hails Lowering Emissions, Calls for More Effort

The mobile industry cut operational emissions by 8% between 2019 and 2023 despite surging demand. However, the GSMA warns that the current pace must more than double to stay aligned with net-zero targets.

Released ahead of MWC Shanghai, the latest edition of the annual Mobile Net Zero report highlighted growing momentum across the sector with operators reducing emissions even as mobile connections rose 9% and data traffic quadrupled. Operators reported significant progress in renewable energy adoption. 37% of electricity was sourced from renewables in 2023, up from 13% in 2019. This transition avoided an estimated 16 million tonnes of emissions.

Regionally, Europe led with a 56% emissions reduction since 2019, followed by North America at 44 % and Latin America at 36%. In China, operator emissions declined 4% in 2024, marking the first drop following years of growth as renewable energy use more than quadrupled. However, the industry association flagged that to stay on course for net zero by 2050, emissions must fall by 7.5% annually through 2030, marking more than twice the average rate achieved to date. Preliminary data for 2024 indicated a 4.5% drop in emissions, representing an improvement over previous years but short of the required pace.

The report found that decarbonization efforts are driven by operators prioritizing energy efficiency, adopting clean power like solar and battery storage, and phasing out legacy networks and diesel use. While some markets benefit from better renewable electricity access due to policy and market conditions, the GSMA warned that the accelerated reductions needed by 2030 would require greater access across more markets. Scope 3 emissions, generated by supply chains and manufacturing, remain a key concern, making up two-thirds of the sector’s carbon footprint. To this end, GSMA flagged value chain emissions as a critical focus area for operators setting science-based targets.

The report also noted a rising interest in circularity, with almost 90% of surveyed consumers considering refurbished devices. Indeed, the industry association noted that the second-hand device market is projected to hit $150 billion by 2027. Steven Moore, GSMA’s head of climate action, stated the results showcase that the industry is not greenwashing or greenwishing, it’s green acting. However, he stressed the need for faster progress, stronger policies, better access to renewables, and greater collaboration across the ecosystem.