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The global mobile industry has managed to cut its operational carbon emissions by 8% between 2019 and 2023, despite a massive increase in data consumption worldwide, official figures have claimed.
GSMA Mobile Net Zero report found that mobile data -traffic grew quadrupled during this period, while mobile connections increased by 9%.
In contrast, global emissions rose 4% over the same window – but the report makes it clear: Progress The pace must be doubled if the sector is to adapt to the Net -to target by 2050.
Improved energy efficiency and sustained adoption
“Our findings show that the mobile industry is not green washing or greenwishing, it is green spectacle,” said Steven Moore, head of climate measures at GSMA.
“Emissions are in the right direction, but the progress pace must now double.”
Geographically, the momentum varies. Europe, North America and Latin America are leading after reducing emissions by 56%, 44%and 36%respectively since 2019. Meanwhile, Asia and Africa begin to show stronger commitment.
There is a remarkable shift in China. As the world’s largest mobile market with over a billion 5G connections, China saw its operational emissions fall 4% by 2024.
Despite these winnings, GSMA is careful about the road of the road – and notes the fall of 4.5% in the emissions projected by 2024, is encouraging, but remains under the annual reduction of 7.5% through 2030 to remain on course for Net Zero.
De decarbonization efforts across the industry are clear how many operators take conscious steps to improve energy efficiency.
These include closure of outdated older networks and move away from diesel generators, and operators also caters to sustained sources, such as solar energy and battery storage.
One area that needs urgent attention is scope 3 emissions that originate from supply chains and manufacture and account for over two-thirds of the sector’s footprint.
Another growing focus area is circularity. Consumers are showing increasing interest in sustainability, with 90% of those surveyed by GSMA say they value the device’s life and repair, and almost half indicated that they would consider buying a renovated phone next.
Since renovated units produce 80-90% fewer emissions than new ones, this trend can play a role in reduction of emissions, as the used telephone market, which is now expanding rapidly, is expected to hit $ 150 billion in 2027.
Despite progress, the industry’s ability to maintain this trend depends on much of external support.
“To maintain this progress, we need broader support: better access to renewable energy sources, more political security and stronger cooperation across the ecosystem,” Moore said.
