Net Zero: How Telecom Operators Are Moving Toward the 2050 Targets

Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 represents one of the key environmental challenges facing the telecommunications industry. Mobile network operators have already launched a wide range of initiatives to reduce emissions, focusing primarily on improving the energy efficiency of network equipment and increasing the share of electricity sourced from renewable energy.

According to Muskan Gadodia, research analyst at Gsma Intelligence, however, these initiatives may not be enough to completely close the remaining emissions gap. As a result, the industry is gradually broadening its approach, exploring solutions that go beyond simply reducing network energy consumption.

Emerging strategies include ecosystem restoration, projects aimed at bringing clean energy to local communities, circular infrastructure models, more sophisticated energy management and new approaches to energy procurement.

Six areas of action to reduce the environmental impact of telecommunications

One of the central issues concerns the nature of the emissions generated by the sector. Not all emissions can be directly attributed to activities under operators’ control. A significant share of the carbon footprint is linked to the wider value chain and to activities outside the company’s direct operations.

This means that even highly ambitious measures cannot completely eliminate every source of emissions simply by targeting the network itself. This residual impact is therefore becoming an increasingly important focus of sustainability strategies. Once directly avoidable emissions have been reduced, operators can turn to carbon removal initiatives and projects designed to restore or preserve ecosystems, helping address the environmental impact that remains.

The transition toward net zero is consequently developing along several different paths: from the creation of more circular infrastructure to transforming networks into energy assets, alongside economic tools such as internal carbon pricing and more environmentally conscious site design.

Another area of development involves the use of batteries and the possibility of recovering and putting to use the heat generated by network equipment. In this scenario, telecom infrastructure could play a more active role within energy systems, not only consuming electricity more efficiently but also helping to manage and make better use of it.

Decarbonization does not depend on telecom operators alone

The transition to net zero cannot be achieved solely through initiatives implemented within individual operators. A significant part of the progress will also depend on suppliers, technology partners and policymakers.

The telecommunications supply chain will therefore need to become increasingly involved, supporting lower-impact solutions and procurement models that take into account not only costs but also the emissions associated with products and services.

The regulatory framework can also play an important role in accelerating this process by creating favorable conditions for investment in energy technologies and sustainable infrastructure.

The outlook according to Gsma Intelligence

Progress has already been made in reducing emissions, but the pace of change needs to accelerate. According to the Mobile Net Zero report by Gsma Intelligence, emissions from the mobile sector fell by 8% between 2019 and 2023.

However, reaching the targets set for 2030 would require an average annual reduction of 7.5%.

The figures highlight the scale of the challenge ahead and the need to complement traditional measures with new decarbonization strategies. Network efficiency and the use of renewable energy will remain essential, but they may not be sufficient on their own.

For telecom operators, the challenge over the coming decade will therefore be to combine technological improvements, new energy models, circular infrastructure and environmental initiatives capable of addressing emissions that cannot be eliminated directly.

In other words, achieving the 2050 goal will require a transformation involving the entire telecommunications ecosystem — from operators and suppliers to regulators and local communities.

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The event is part of the new European exhibition hub Urban Tech 2026 – The Urban Technology Show (e-mobility, traffic, commuting, security, telecom & data, environment).