Mobile operators reduced operational emissions by 13% since 2019 despite mobile connections increasing by 10% and data traffic quadrupling, but faster access to clean energy is needed to accelerate progress.
July 14, 2026, London: Mobile network operators around the world are making significant progress in reducing carbon emissions, but greater access to renewable energy, particularly in emerging markets, will be essential if the industry is to meet its climate targets and remain on track to reach net zero by 2050, according to the new GSMA report. Mobile Net Zero 2026: State of the industry on climate action report.
The report, which analyzes energy and emissions data from more than 110 mobile operators representing 85% of global mobile connections, shows that the industry's operational emissions fell by 5% in 2024 alone and by 13% between 2019 and 2024. This was achieved despite mobile connections increasing by 10% and data traffic quadrupling during the same period.
The findings highlight how improvements in energy efficiency, grid modernization and increased use of renewable energy are helping operators reduce both emissions and operating costs. However, while emissions are falling in all regions of the world, the report warns that progress must accelerate further if the sector is to achieve the 45% emissions reduction required by 2030 under the industry's science-based pathway.
Renewable energy remains the largest driver of emissions reductions. Operators purchased or generated around 70 TWh of renewable electricity in 2024, equivalent to Indonesia's total renewable electricity generation. The proportion of operators' electricity coming from renewables (in addition to renewables already on the grid) has more than doubled since 2019, from 10% to 24%.
The report recommends that governments play a critical enabling role in accelerating the transition by creating policy environments that encourage investment in renewable energy and networks, modernizing electricity markets to improve corporate access to renewable energy, and streamlining permitting processes to accelerate clean energy deployment.
John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer at the GSMA, said:
“The mobile industry continues to demonstrate that economic growth, digital connectivity and climate action can go hand in hand. Operators are connecting more people, transporting more data and supporting digital economies around the world, while reducing emissions.
“The progress we are seeing is encouraging, but more needs to be done. Access to renewable energy remains one of the most important factors determining how quickly operators can decarbonize. Policymakers have a vital role in creating the conditions that enable investment in clean energy infrastructure and accelerate the transition to net zero emissions.
“Mobile networks are critical infrastructure for modern societies and economies. Ensuring they can access affordable and reliable renewable energy will not only help reduce emissions, but also strengthen energy security, improve resilience and support sustainable economic growth.”
Key findings from the report:
- Climate commitments continue to grow: By June 2026, 81 mobile operators have near-term science-based targets, representing almost half of global mobile connections and more than two-thirds of industry revenue. Fifty operators have committed to net zero targets, and 46 have already been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
- Operational emissions are falling: Operational emissions from the mobile industry were estimated at 115 million tons of CO2e in 2024, representing about 0.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions fell 5% in 2024, double the average annual reduction achieved over the previous four years.
- The adoption of renewable energy is accelerating: Operators got a quarter of their electricity from renewables in 2024, up from 10% in 2019. European operators had the highest share of renewables, getting around 70% of their electricity from renewables, followed by 50% in North America and 45% in Latin America.
- Scope 3 emissions remain the biggest challenge: Around three-quarters of the sector's total carbon footprint is in the value chain, highlighting the importance of supplier engagement, circular economy initiatives and industry-wide collaboration.
- Suppliers are increasingly setting climate goals and reducing emissions, but progress is uneven: More than half of selected IT and cloud service providers, network equipment manufacturers and mobile phone manufacturers have validated near-term targets, while less than a quarter of larger tower companies have validated targets.
- Tower companies represent a significant decarbonization challenge and opportunity: The world's 100 largest tower companies operate around four million sites and consumed more than two billion liters of diesel in 2024. The report identifies important opportunities to reduce emissions through greater use of solar energy, batteries and better energy management.
- The energy impact of AI remains uncertain: While AI is driving significant growth in global data center power demand, its direct impact on mobile network power consumption remains limited today. The report highlights the need for continued monitoring as AI adoption expands.
- Climate resilience is increasingly important: As extreme weather events become more frequent, operators are increasingly focusing on climate adaptation and resilience to ensure networks remain reliable and operational in a changing climate.
Accelerating progress
The report urges operators to continue improving energy efficiency, eliminate legacy networks, increase the use of renewable energy and strengthen engagement with suppliers on reducing emissions. It also calls on industry suppliers, particularly tower companies, to improve climate disclosure, set climate targets and accelerate the adoption of clean energy and circularity.
For governments, the report highlights the importance of policies that support the net zero transition by accelerating the deployment of renewable energy, liberalizing electricity markets, incentivizing repair and renewal, and recognizing communications networks as critical infrastructure within national resilience planning.
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About the GSMA
The GSMA is a global organization that unifies the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver critical innovation for positive business environments and social change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organizations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA offers its members three broad pillars: connectivity for good, industry services and solutions, and outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, addressing today's biggest societal challenges, supporting the technology and interoperability that make mobile devices work, and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.
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