Mobile operators reduce operational emissions by 13% over five years, says GSMA

According to a new report from the Global System for Mobile Communications Association, mobile network operators reduced their operational emissions by 13% between 2019 and 2024.

The finding is contained in the GSMA Mobile Net Zero 2026 State of the Industry report on climate action, released on Tuesday evening.

The report states that the reduction was recorded even as mobile connections increased by 10% in the same period.

It analyzed energy and emissions data from more than 110 mobile operators, representing around 85% of global mobile connections.

According to the GSMA report, operational emissions fell by 5% in 2024 alone.

The association described the 2024 decline as the fastest annual decline the mobile industry has seen in five years.

The report also notes that data traffic more than quadrupled during the period under review.

GSMA says the trend shows that digital growth and emissions reductions could advance at the same time.

He attributed the progress to improved energy efficiency, grid upgrades and wider use of renewable electricity through mobile networks.

The report identified renewable energy as the main factor driving emissions reductions.

Mobile operators purchased or generated approximately 70 terawatt-hours of renewable electricity in 2024.

However, the GSMA warned that the pace of emissions reductions must increase if the industry is to meet its science-based target of reducing emissions by 45% by 2030.

The association urged governments to expand access to renewable energy to help keep the mobile sector on track towards net-zero emissions by 2050.

According to the report, the share of renewable electricity used by the mobile industry increased from 10% in 2019 to 24% in 2024.

The GSMA called on governments to modernize electricity markets, promote investment in renewable energy and streamline approval processes for clean energy infrastructure.

John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer of the GSMA, said the mobile industry has demonstrated that economic growth, digital connectivity and climate action can go hand in hand.

He said operators are connecting more people, carrying more data and supporting digital economies while reducing emissions.

Giusti added that access to affordable and reliable renewable energy will determine how quickly operators can decarbonize their operations.

He said policymakers have an important role to play in creating the right conditions for investment in clean energy infrastructure.

According to him, mobile networks powered by renewable sources would improve energy security, strengthen resilience and support sustainable economic growth.

The report said 81 mobile operators have adopted science-based short-term climate targets starting in June 2026.

He added that these operators account for almost half of global mobile connections.

GSMA also said that 50 operators have committed to net zero targets, while 46 have received validation from the Science-Based Targets initiative.

The report estimates that operational emissions from the mobile industry will amount to 115 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2024.

This represents approximately 0.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The report identified Scope 3 emissions as the sector’s biggest climate challenge.

According to GSMA, value chain emissions account for around three-quarters of the mobile industry’s total carbon footprint.

To reduce these emissions, greater cooperation with suppliers and wider adoption of circular economy practices would be necessary.

The report also identified tower companies as an important area for decarbonization.

It found that the world’s 100 largest tower companies consumed more than two billion liters of diesel in 2024.

GSMA said increased use of solar energy, battery storage and better energy management could significantly reduce emissions from tower operations.

The report also finds that artificial intelligence is increasing global demand for data center energy.

The direct impact of AI on mobile network energy consumption remains limited for now, but requires continued monitoring as AI adoption grows in communications networks and digital infrastructures.

GSMA added that climate resilience has become more important as operators work to protect networks from increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

The association urged mobile operators to improve energy efficiency, phase out legacy networks, expand the use of renewable energy and strengthen supplier engagement to achieve long-term climate goals.