- GSMA increases mobile data traffic, but emission decreases – a rare win of climate in Tech’s fast lane
- Europe leads the race to cut mobile emissions, but Asia is shutting down
- China’s billion Plus 5G users just took a friendly turn for climate that could change everything
Official data claims that the global mobile industry has managed to reduce its operational carbon emissions by 8 % between 2019 and 2023, despite the massive increase in data use around the world.
The GSMA Mobile Net Zero report found that mobile data traffic increased fourfold during this period while mobile contacts increased by 9 %.
On the contrary, global emissions increased by 4 % during the same window – but this report makes it clear: If this sector is to compatible with pure zero goals by 2050, then the pace of development will have to be doubled.
You can like
Adapt to better energy efficiency and renewable
“Our search shows that the mobile industry is not a green washing or a greenweight, it is a green acting,” said Steven Moore, head of the climate operation at the GSMA.
“The emissions are trending in the right direction, but the growth pace should double now.”
Geographically, the speed varies. Europe, North America and Latin America are leading, which has reduced the emissions of 56 %, 44 % and 36 %, respectively since 2019. Meanwhile, Asia and Africa have begun to show strong engagement.
There is a significant change in China. Since the world’s largest mobile market with more than one billion 5g contacts, China saw its operational emissions by 4 % in 2024.
Despite these benefits, the GSMA is cautious about the road forward – it is encouraging by noting a 4.5 % reduction in expected emissions for 2024, but the net zero course is less than the 7.5 % annual decrease needed during the 2030s.
The decoration efforts in the industry are clear, many operators take deliberate steps to improve energy saving.
These include shutting down the outdated heritage networks and getting away from diesel generators, and operators are also turning to renewable sources, such as solar and battery storage.
An area that requires immediate attention is the emission of the scope 3, which is produced by supply chain and manufacturing and becomes part of more than two -thirds of the sector.
Another growing area of attention is circularity. Consumers are showing a growing interest in stability, 90 % of people surveyed by GSMA have said they value the device’s longevity and repair, and almost HALF half indicated that they will consider the purchase of the next renewed phone.
Since the renewed devices produce 80-90 % less emissions than the new, this trend can play its role in decreasing emissions, as the second-handed phone market, which is now rapidly spread, is expected to be $ 150 billion by 2027.
Despite the progress, the industry’s capacity to maintain this trend relies heavily on external support.
“We need wider help to maintain this progress: Better access to renewable sources, more assurance of policy and strong cooperation in the ecosystem,” Moore said.
