Mobile Operators Cut Emissions by 13% Since 2019

Mobile industry emissions fall 13% despite quadrupling data traffic

The mobile industry has reduced operational carbon emissions by 13% between 2019 and 2024. This reduction occurred while mobile connections increased by 10% and data traffic quadrupled. The progress demonstrates genuine decarbonisation rather than contraction.

However, the sector remains off track to meet its 2030 science-based target. The industry needs a 45% reduction by 2030 but current trends project only 33%. This 12-percentage-point gap requires urgent acceleration, particularly in Asia and emerging markets.

Renewable energy adoption drove the majority of these emissions cuts. Operators doubled their renewable electricity share from 10% to 24% of total consumption. In 2024 alone, emissions fell by 5%, twice the average annual reduction from the previous four years.

The challenge now centres on access to clean energy. Emerging markets in Africa, the Middle East, and South America face significant barriers to renewable electricity procurement. Without faster progress in these regions, the industry’s 2050 net zero ambition faces serious risk.

Renewable electricity doubles as primary decarbonisation driver

Renewable energy accounted for nearly 60% of operational emission reductions between 2023 and 2024. Mobile operators purchased or generated approximately 70 terawatt-hours of renewable electricity in 2024. For context, this matches Indonesia’s entire renewable electricity generation.

The shift to clean energy represents a fundamental change in how networks operate. In 2019, renewables supplied just 10% of the industry’s electricity. By 2024, this figure reached 24%. Therefore, operators more than doubled their renewable share in five years.

Most renewable procurement currently relies on energy attribute certificates, which represent 63% of the total. Power purchase agreements account for 32% of renewable electricity. Consequently, direct procurement through PPAs needs to grow substantially to accelerate progress.

Energy efficiency improvements complement renewable adoption. The deployment of 5G technology has enhanced network energy performance. Modern base stations consume less power per unit of data transmitted. As a result, operators can handle increased traffic volumes without proportional emissions growth.

Network modernisation extends beyond power consumption. Circular business models, including phone take-back programmes and equipment refurbishment, contribute to overall emissions reduction. These initiatives address embodied carbon in devices and infrastructure.

Regional performance reveals sharp disparities across markets

Europe and North America have cut emissions by more than half since 2019. These regions benefit from established renewable energy markets and supportive regulatory frameworks. Operators in these territories can readily access clean electricity through competitive procurement mechanisms.

Asia presents a different picture. The region requires accelerated action to achieve the 7% average annual reduction necessary for alignment with science-based targets. Current trends fall short of this benchmark. Moreover, Asia represents the largest share of global mobile emissions due to market size and network scale.

Emerging markets face the most significant barriers. Many African, Middle Eastern, and South American countries lack mature renewable energy markets. Grid infrastructure limitations constrain access to clean electricity. Furthermore, regulatory frameworks often fail to enable long-term power purchase agreements.

These regional disparities create a structural challenge for global targets. The mobile industry operates as an interconnected system, yet decarbonisation pathways vary dramatically by geography. Consequently, achieving collective 2030 targets depends on breakthrough progress in currently lagging regions.

Local energy market conditions determine what operators can realistically achieve. In some territories, renewable options simply do not exist at commercial scale. Operators cannot procure clean energy that is not available. This reality underscores why the GSMA identifies emerging market energy access as the critical bottleneck.

Science-based commitments now cover 81 operators

As of June 2026, 81 mobile operators have established near-term science-based targets. The Science Based Targets initiative has validated 77 of these commitments. These targets align with pathways to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Additionally, 50 operators have committed to achieving net zero emissions. The Science Based Targets initiative has validated 46 of these longer-term pledges. Notably, half of these operators aim to reach net zero by 2040 or earlier, ahead of the industry’s collective 2050 goal.

The industry established its collective net zero commitment in 2019. This pledge covers operational emissions from network operation and energy consumption. It represents approximately 115 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually based on 2024 figures.

These commitments carry weight because they follow established validation methodologies. The Science Based Targets initiative requires companies to demonstrate alignment with climate science. Targets must cover relevant emission sources and show credible reduction pathways. Therefore, validated commitments represent more than aspirational statements.

However, commitments alone do not guarantee delivery. The current 12-percentage-point gap between the 2030 target and projected performance illustrates this clearly. Operators have set appropriate goals but execution lags behind the required pace.

Five key facts about mobile industry decarbonisation progress

• Operational emissions decreased 13% from 2019 to 2024 while mobile connections grew 10% and data traffic increased more than fourfold, demonstrating absolute decoupling of emissions from business growth.
• Renewable electricity share doubled from 10% to 24% of total consumption, with operators purchasing or generating approximately 70 terawatt-hours in 2024, equivalent to Indonesia’s entire renewable generation.
• The 2024 emissions reduction of 5% was double the average annual decrease from 2019 to 2023, indicating acceleration in recent decarbonisation efforts.
• Europe and North America have reduced emissions by more than half since 2019, while Asia and emerging markets lag significantly behind this pace.
• Current trends project a 33% emissions reduction by 2030, falling 12 percentage points short of the science-based 45% target required to align with 1.5-degree pathways.

Closing the 2030 gap requires urgent action in emerging markets

The mobile industry faces a clear choice. Continuing current trends delivers 33% emissions reduction by 2030. Meeting the science-based target requires 45%. This 12-percentage-point gap will not close without deliberate intervention.

Asia needs particular focus. The region must achieve approximately 7% average annual emissions reductions. Current performance falls well short of this requirement. Given Asia’s scale within the global mobile industry, failure there undermines collective progress regardless of achievements elsewhere.

Emerging markets present the most complex challenge. Many operators in these territories want to procure renewable energy but cannot access it. National grids lack sufficient renewable capacity. Regulatory barriers prevent direct procurement arrangements. Financial constraints limit investment in on-site generation.

Power purchase agreements must scale significantly. Currently, direct PPAs represent only 32% of renewable electricity procurement. Energy attribute certificates dominate at 63%. While certificates have value, PPAs drive actual renewable capacity addition. Therefore, the industry needs mechanisms that enable more direct procurement, particularly in constrained markets.

The GSMA emphasises that greater access to renewable energy in emerging markets is essential for meeting climate targets. This statement reflects a practical reality. Mobile operators cannot decarbonise faster than their electricity supply allows. Consequently, policy interventions that improve renewable access in developing markets become critical to industry-wide progress.

Energy efficiency will continue contributing but cannot close the gap alone. Network modernisation and 5G deployment improve emissions intensity per unit of data. However, traffic growth eventually overwhelms efficiency gains. Therefore, renewable energy adoption remains the primary lever for absolute emissions reduction.

How this affects UK mobile operators and supply chain businesses

UK mobile networks participate in this global decarbonisation effort. Our net zero programme for carbon reporting compliance works with telecommunications companies managing their own transition pathways. The performance gap identified in the GSMA analysis applies to UK operators as much as global peers.

Several commercial implications emerge for UK businesses. Large organisations increasingly scrutinise suppliers’ climate performance when awarding contracts. Mobile operators appear in many companies’ Scope 3 emissions under purchased services. Consequently, corporate customers may begin preferencing networks with stronger decarbonisation trajectories.

Public sector procurement already reflects this dynamic. PPN 06/21 requires suppliers bidding for central government contracts above £5 million to publish carbon reduction plans. Mobile and telecommunications services fall within scope. Therefore, operators must demonstrate credible emissions reduction to maintain public sector business.

Supply chain businesses face related pressures. Equipment manufacturers must reduce embodied carbon in network infrastructure. Tower companies need their own renewable energy strategies. Maintenance contractors, facilities managers, and technology suppliers all contribute to operational emissions. As a result, decarbonisation requirements cascade through the entire telecommunications value chain.

The renewable electricity challenge affects UK businesses differently than emerging market operators. The UK has well-developed renewable energy markets and supportive procurement mechanisms. However, grid constraints and planning barriers can still delay renewable projects. Furthermore, businesses must navigate complex decisions between on-site generation, power purchase agreements, and energy attribute certificates.

For businesses supplying mobile operators, understanding customer emissions targets becomes commercially important. If your customer commits to science-based targets, they will eventually require emission reductions from their supply chain. Early engagement on decarbonisation provides competitive advantage. Conversely, suppliers unable to demonstrate emissions progress may face procurement disadvantages.

The 2030 timeline creates urgency. Six years provides limited time for significant infrastructure changes. Businesses planning capital investments should integrate emissions reduction into project design now. Retrofit and modification later will cost more and deliver less.

Where to find authoritative guidance and data

The GSMA publishes annual mobile industry climate performance data and maintains resources on telecommunications sector decarbonisation. Their reports provide the most comprehensive view of global mobile emissions trends and operator commitments.

The Science Based Targets initiative validates corporate climate commitments against climate science requirements. Their website includes databases of validated targets and guidance on target-setting methodologies for telecommunications and other sectors.

For UK-specific regulatory context, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero provides information on national climate policy and business support programmes. Additionally, our compliance services for carbon reporting and ESG requirements help businesses navigate the practical implementation of emissions reduction strategies within UK regulatory frameworks.