Mobile operators cut carbon emissions 13% despite data traffic boom – GSMA

By Olamide Akintunde

Global mobile network operators reduced their operational carbon emissions by 13prcent between 2019 and 2024, even as mobile data traffic more than quadrupled over the same period, according to the GSMA’s Mobile Net Zero 2026 report.

The report shows that the telecommunications industry has continued to expand digital connectivity while lowering its environmental footprint, demonstrating that growth and climate action can progress simultaneously.

According to the GSMA, operational emissions declined despite a 10percent increase in global mobile connections during the five-year period.

The report also recorded a 5percent reduction in operational emissions in 2024 alone, representing the fastest annual decline achieved by the industry over the past five years.

The GSMA attributed much of the industry’s emissions reduction to the growing adoption of renewable energy.

“Between 2019 and 2024, operational emissions fell 13percent while mobile connections grew 10percent and mobile data traffic more than quadrupled,” the report stated.

It added that nearly 60percent of the decline in emissions resulted from increased renewable electricity consumption, while improvements in energy efficiency and the electrification of vehicle fleets and buildings accounted for almost one-quarter of the reductions.

According to the report, mobile operators purchased or generated approximately 70 terawatt-hours (TWh) of renewable electricity in 2024.

As a result, the industry’s share of renewable electricity increased from 10percent in 2019 to 24percent in 2024, significantly reducing dependence on conventional energy sources.

The report also highlighted improvements in the sector’s carbon efficiency.

Operational emissions per mobile connection declined by 16percent between 2019 and 2024, while emissions per unit of revenue fell by 20percent, reflecting increased efficiency across network operations.

Overall, the GSMA estimates that the mobile industry’s operational emissions amounted to about 115 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) in 2024, representing approximately 0.2percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

However, the association noted that the industry’s direct operations account for only a small share of its total environmental impact.

According to the report, 73percent of the sector’s total carbon footprint comes from Scope 3 emissions, primarily generated across supply chains and through customer-related activities.

Europe recorded the strongest progress in reducing emissions, cutting operational emissions by 54percent between 2019 and 2024.

North America followed with a 50percent reduction, while Latin America achieved a 41percent decline over the same period.

In contrast, emissions increased in Sub-Saharan Africa, where many mobile operators continue to depend heavily on diesel-powered generators because of unreliable electricity supply.

The report noted that expanding access to reliable and cleaner electricity remains critical to reducing emissions across the region’s telecommunications sector.

Beyond its climate initiatives, the GSMA said it is also working with governments to develop regulatory frameworks that can support emerging communications technologies.

The association recently launched a Satellite Regulatory Playbook to help policymakers establish rules for the rapidly expanding satellite connectivity market, including satellite broadband and direct-to-device services.

According to report, the playbook provides guidance for governments seeking to address regulatory gaps created by new satellite technologies that fall outside traditional telecommunications frameworks.

GSMA’s Head of Policy and Regulation, Michaela Angonius, said the guide offers practical tools to help regulators develop modern policies that encourage innovation while ensuring effective oversight of emerging satellite communication services.

The report concludes that while the mobile industry has made measurable progress in reducing operational emissions, accelerating the transition to renewable energy and addressing supply chain emissions will be essential to achieving the sector’s long-term net-zero ambitions.