Mobile Net Zero 2024
State of the Industry on Climate Action
3. Emissions from mobile operators
Despite huge growth in demand for data and connectivity, operational emissions of the industry have been relatively flat since 2019, thanks to progress on energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Strong progress on energy efficiency and renewables have helped limit growth in operational emissions
Operators disclosing to CDP collectively reported a 5% reduction in operational emissions between 2021 and 2022, with nearly two-thirds of operators reporting a decrease in operational emissions. Over half of the reported decrease was driven by energy efficiency efforts in networks, data centres, and offices, as well as the electrification of fleets and generators. Around 30% of the reported decrease was driven by increased use of renewable energy.
The majority of operational emissions came from generated and purchased electricity. Operators consumed around 320 TWh of electricity in 2022, or around 1.3% of global electricity use. This includes electricity used to power mobile and fixed networks, data centres, offices, stores, electric fleet vehicles, and other operations. With most operational emissions coming from electricity, reducing operational emissions requires action in two key areas: energy efficiency – particularly in networks – and renewable energy.
High and volatile energy prices over the past three years have increased the urgency of maximising energy efficiency
Data from operators show that the energy intensity of data transmission fell by an average of 10-20% per year between 2019 and 2022. There was significant variation between operators – both in terms of their absolute energy intensities as well as average annual improvement rates.
The average electricity use per connection also varies significantly between operators and regions. At the global level, the average energy use per connection has been flat since 2019 at around 30 kWh per connection.
Renewable energy is already playing a major role in reducing mobile operators’ emissions
Operators disclosing to CDP, representing 55% of mobile connections, purchased a combined 50 TWh of renewable electricity in 2022. Among those disclosing to CDP, the share of electricity use from purchased renewables has increased from 14% in 2019 to 33% in 2022.
About half of the purchased renewables came from unbundled energy attribute certificates (EACs), and one-quarter each from power purchase agreements (PPAs) and green tariffs with electricity suppliers. Operators also generated over 700 GWh from on-site renewables, helping to displace generation and emissions from diesel generators.
Without these renewable energy purchases by operators, operational emissions are estimated to have been around 15 MtCO2e higher in 2022.
