A Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) report has shown that mobile operators reduced operational emissions by 13 per cent between 2019 and 2024.
The GSMA Mobile Net Zero 2026 State of the Industry on Climate Action Report, released on Tuesday night, noted that this reduction occurred despite a 10 per cent increase in mobile connections.
The report analysed energy and emissions data from more than 110 mobile operators, representing 85 per cent of global mobile connections.
According to the report, operational emissions fell by five per cent in 2024, marking the fastest annual decline recorded over the past five years.
It added that data traffic more than quadrupled during the period, demonstrating that digital growth and emissions reduction can progress together.
“This progress can be attributed to improved energy efficiency, network modernisation, and greater adoption of renewable electricity across mobile networks,” the report said.
It identified renewable energy as the single biggest driver of emissions reduction, with operators purchasing or generating about 70 terawatt hours of renewable electricity in 2024.
The report, however, warned that emissions reduction must accelerate to achieve the industry’s science-based target of a 45 per cent cut by 2030.
“We urge governments to expand renewable energy access to keep the mobile industry on course for net zero emissions by 2050,” it stated.
“The industry’s renewable electricity share increased from 10 per cent in 2019 to 24 per cent in 2024. We urge governments to modernise electricity markets, encourage renewable energy investment, and simplify approvals for clean energy infrastructure,” the report stressed.
Mr. John Giusti, GSMA Chief Regulatory Officer, said the mobile industry continued to demonstrate that economic growth, digital connectivity, and climate action could advance together.
“Operators are connecting more people, carrying more data, and supporting digital economies around the world while still reducing emissions,” he said.
Giusti said greater access to affordable and reliable renewable energy would determine how quickly operators could decarbonise.
“Policymakers have a vital role in creating the conditions that enable investment in clean energy infrastructure and accelerate the transition to net zero,” he said.
He noted that renewable-powered mobile networks would strengthen energy security, improve resilience, and support sustainable economic growth.
The report said 81 mobile operators had adopted near-term science-based climate targets as of June 2026, representing nearly half of global mobile connections.
It added that 50 operators had committed to net zero targets, while 46 had already received validation from the Science-Based Targets initiative.
According to the report, operational emissions from the mobile industry stood at 115 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2024, representing about 0.2 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The report identified Scope 3 emissions as the industry’s biggest climate challenge, accounting for about three-quarters of its total carbon footprint.
It said stronger collaboration with suppliers and wider adoption of circular economy practices would be critical to reducing value chain emissions.
The report described tower companies as a major decarbonisation opportunity, noting that the world’s 100 largest tower firms consumed more than two billion litres of diesel in 2024.
It said wider deployment of solar power, battery storage, and improved energy management could significantly reduce emissions from tower operations.
The report noted that artificial intelligence is increasing global data centre energy demand, although its direct impact on mobile network energy consumption remains limited.
It, however, urged continued monitoring as artificial intelligence adoption expands across communications networks and digital infrastructure.
According to the report, climate resilience has become increasingly important as operators strengthen networks against more frequent extreme weather events.
The GSMA urged operators to improve energy efficiency, retire legacy networks, expand renewable energy use, and deepen supplier engagement to meet long-term climate goals.
