GSMA: The Role of Renewables in the Mobile Sector's Future

Mobile network operators are proving that rising demand for digital connectivity does not have to mean higher emissions.

New figures from the GSMA, the global trade body for telcos, show that operators reduced their operational carbon emissions by 13% between 2019 and 2024, despite global mobile connections increasing by 10% and data traffic more than quadrupling over the same period.

The procurement of renewable energy has been central to this progress, though the GSMA warns that now is not the time for telcos to rest on their laurels.

The report says that faster action across electricity markets, network infrastructure and supply chains are going to be essential if the sector intends to stay on course for net zero.

The findings come from the Mobile Net Zero 2026: State of the Industry on Climate Action report, which analysed energy use and emissions data from more than 110 mobile operators representing 85% of mobile connections worldwide.

Reducing emissions in the telecoms sector

In its report, the GSMA shows that operators achieved a 5% reduction in operational emissions during 2024 alone, marking the fastest annual improvement since reporting began and double the average yearly decline recorded between 2019 and 2023.

But with such ambitious short-term goals – namely a 45% reduction by 2030 – it is clear that decarbonisation efforts must be redoubled.

Mobile operators produced approximately 115 million tonnes of CO₂e in operational emissions during 2024, equivalent to around 0.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

"The mobile industry continues to demonstrate that economic growth, digital connectivity and climate action can go hand in hand," says John Giusti, who is Chief Regulatory Officer at the GSMA.

"Operators are connecting more people, carrying more data and supporting digital economies around the world while still reducing emissions."

The figures underline how network operators are increasingly separating business growth from energy-related carbon emissions, even as demand for mobile services continues to climb.

Clean power becomes the industry's biggest advantage

The report identifies renewable electricity as the single largest contributor to emissions reductions across the sector.

Collectively, mobile operators purchased or generated around 70TWh of renewable electricity during 2024, roughly equivalent to Indonesia's annual renewable power generation.

At the same time, the proportion of electricity secured through renewable energy contracts rose from 10% in 2019 to 24% in 2024.

Progress varies considerably between regions. European operators now source around 70% of their electricity from renewable supplies, compared with 50% in North America and 45% in Latin America.

"The progress we are seeing is encouraging, but more needs to be done," John explains.

"Access to renewable energy remains one of the biggest factors determining how quickly operators can decarbonise.

"Policymakers have a vital role in creating the conditions that enable investment in clean energy infrastructure and accelerate the transition to net zero."

For the sector, access to affordable low-carbon electricity is becoming just as important as improvements in network efficiency, with energy policy increasingly influencing the pace of emissions reductions.

Looking beyond the grid

Although operational emissions continue to fall, indirect emissions remain the industry's biggest climate challenge.

According to the GSMA, around three quarters of the mobile sector's carbon footprint comes from Scope 3 emissions generated throughout the supply chain.

More than half of surveyed software, cloud and hardware providers have already validated near-term emissions targets, yet fewer than a quarter of the world's largest tower companies have done the same.

The organisation says tower companies represent one of the greatest opportunities for further energy and emissions savings. Collectively, the world's 100 largest tower operators manage around four million sites and consumed more than two billion litres of diesel during 2024.

Target validation is overseen by the Science Based Targets initiative, which assesses whether corporate climate commitments align with the latest science.

Today, 81 mobile operators have established near-term science-based targets, representing almost half of all global mobile connections and more than two thirds of industry revenue.

A further 50 operators have committed to achieving net zero, with 46 of those targets already validated by the SBTi.

Policy changes could accelerate progress

The GSMA urges governments to liberalise electricity markets and streamline permitting processes.

The trade body also calls for incentives to repair and refurbish equipment.

John says: "Mobile networks are critical infrastructure for modern societies and economies. Ensuring they can access affordable, reliable renewable energy will not only help reduce emissions, but also strengthen energy security, improve resilience and support sustainable economic growth."

The GSMA encourages network operators to improve energy efficiency continuously.

It also recommends phasing out legacy networks and engaging more deeply with suppliers regarding emissions.

While AI expansion is accelerating energy demand in global data centres, the report indicates that its direct impact on mobile network energy consumption is limited for now.

The technology's effect on mobile infrastructure remains minimal compared to fixed-line data facilities.