GSMA's Net zero mobile report shows that the impulse is being built, although mobile operators must accelerate efforts to reduce industry emissions by half for 2030 to maintain zero net by 2050 on the road
June 18, 2025, London: Operational emissions of the mobile industry fell 8% between 2019 and 2023, even when mobile connections grew by 9% and data traffic is quaduple, according to the fifth annual mobile mobile report of GSMA published today.
The findings show that the mobile industry has begun to decoupling data emissions and connectivity growth: a marked contrast with global emissions, which have increased by 4% since 2019. However, to continue progress and reach zero net by 2050, emissions must fall 7.5% per year to 2030, more than double the average annual rate reached until date.
The key results of the report include:
- The preliminary data of 2024 suggest an additional 4.5% drop in emissions, an acceleration in previous years, but still below the annual reduction of 7.5% necessary by 2030.
- 37% of the electricity used by the operators that revealed to CDP came from renewable energy in 2023, compared to 13% in 2019, avoiding 16 million tons of emissions.
- 81 mobile operators (which cover almost half of global connections) have been established or committed to science -based objectives.
- The GSMA Climate Action Working Group now includes 77 operators, covering 80% of mobile connections worldwide.
- Europe (-56%), North America (-44%) and Latin America (-36%) lead the way in the reductions of operational emissions between 2019 and 2023.
- China's new analysis shows that operational emissions probably fell 4% in 2024, the first decrease after an increase of 7% between 2019–2023, together with a quadruplication rather than the use of renewable energy.
The global and collaborative rhythm of climate action.
The acceleration in the decarbonization is driven by the operator's actions to improve the energy efficiency of the network and the transition to clean energy, including the storage of solar and battery energy. Many operators are eliminating less efficient inherited networks and reducing their dependence on diesel generators. Some markets are seeing a better access of renewable electricity through policy support and market reform, but GSMA warns that the accelerated reductions necessary for 2030 will require greater access in more markets.
The regional impulse is being built worldwide, with Europe and the Americas that lead emission reductions, while Asia and Africa show a growing participation. China, which represents the world's largest mobile market with more than one billion 5 g connections, shows promising progress in 2024.
The new analysis published today to frame the discussions in MWC25 Shanghai indicates that China's operational emissions decreased for the first time in 2024, with preliminary data that show an annual 4% reduction driven by a quadruplicate rather than in the use of renewable energy by operators. As the largest single market in the industry, China's progress is essential to achieve overall net net goals.
Steven Moore, Chief of Climate Action at the GSMA Comments: “Our findings show that the mobile industry is not green washing or Greenwishing: it is green action. The emissions are in the right direction, but the rhythm of progress must now double.
“This is a global effort, and it is encouraging to see the impulse in all regions, from Latin America to Europe and especially to China.
“But to maintain this progress, we need more broad support: better access to renewable energies, more policy certainty and a stronger collaboration throughout the ecosystem. Supply chain emissions, which constitute most of the footprint of our industry, must also be addressed, and climatic transition plans will play an increasingly important role in navigation of what comes next. “
Focus on scope 3 and circularity sharpens
The report emphasizes that scope emissions 3, mainly supply chains and manufacturing, represent more than two thirds of the total carbon footprint of the industry and require attention. Although transparency is improving, scope emissions 3 remain a blind spot compared to operational emissions (areas 1 and 2), which makes them a critical challenge for operators with science -based objectives, which require reductions between the emissions of the total value chain.
In addition, the report points to a growing impulse around circular economy initiatives. The consumer appetite by sustainable devices is increasing, with around 90% of users surveyed by GSMA saying that they value longevity and repairs, and almost half considering restored for their next telephone purchase. Buying renewed instead can save consumers money and reduce the environmental impacts of manufacturing, with restored phones that generate 80-90% less emissions than the new ones. While new device sales have slowed down in recent years, the second -hand devices market is growing rapidly and is projected to be worth $ 150 billion by 2027.
Many leading operators are now developing climate transition plans to evaluate climatic risks and map long -term credible strategies towards the net zero. These plans are expected to become a key focus of the GSMA climate action program during the next year.
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About GSMA
GSMA is a global organization that unifies the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and offer fundamental innovation to positive business environments and social change. Our vision is to unlock all the power of connectivity so that people, industry and society prosper. Representing mobile operators and organizations throughout the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA offers its members in three broad pillars: connectivity for good, services and solutions of the industry, and scope. This activity includes the progress policy, addressing today's greatest social challenges, underpinning technology and interoperability that make mobile work and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem in the MWC and M360 events series.
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