GSMA launches its new annual report entitled ‘Mobile Net Zero – State of the Industry on Climate Action 2021’ which provides an analysis of how the mobile industry is progressing towards its ambition to be net-zero by 2050.
This report shows that more than a third of the mobile industry (by revenue) has now credibly committed to achieving net-zero emissions for the upcoming decades. To be specific, 36% of the mobile industry by revenue and 31% of the mobile industry by connections have credibly committed to net-zero emissions by 2050 or earlier through the United Nations’ Race to Zero campaign.
In January, the mobile industry was the first sector to break through the 20% tipping point necessary to accelerate systems’ transformation needed to deliver a zero-carbon world. The momentum continues to build as almost two-thirds of the mobile industry has set science-based carbon reduction targets to cut emissions within 2050.
Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA, said: “As an industry, we are serious about our ambition to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. There is no time to waste. That’s why we are acting now with 65% of the industry committed to reaching, over this decade, science-based targets that rapidly cut emissions. The mobile sector clearly demonstrates that, when at least 20% of a market moves, change accelerates.”
“Our ambition goes beyond our own sector, as we help other industries reduce their carbon emissions through the use of mobile and network services for their digital transformation,” Mats added.
Furthermore, mobile operators covering 50% of global mobile connections and 65% of industry revenues have now committed to science-based targets. Research conducted by the GSMA with the Carbon Trust found that while the mobile industry is currently responsible for around 0.4% of carbon emissions globally, this particular industry enables carbon reductions in other sectors that are 10 times larger, equivalent to approximately 4% of global emissions.
Along with the rise of 5G network deployments, these networks are built with network energy efficiency in mind. 5G’s specification calls for a 90% reduction in the energy being used to transfer each bit of data. As cited in the GSMA report, operators saved around $400 million in the previous year from emissions reduction projects. These projects are likely connected to energy efficiency measures.
Among GSMA’s new report case study highlights are MTN, Vodafone, AT&T, Orange Group, and Zain.