Mobile communications emissions drop by 8%-but the pressure increases!

Mobile communications emissions drop by 8%-but the pressure increases!

The operating emissions of the mobile phone industry fell by 8 % between 2019 and 2023, while the number of mobile phone connections rose by 9 % in the same period. These developments are part of a larger trend, which, however, is not yet sufficient to achieve the climate goals sought by politics. According to [ots.at] (https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250619_ots0006/emissions-der- der Mobilfunktustrie-sinken-um-das-Tempo-Muss-Sich-Sicht-Netto-Null-to-Ereichen) is a decline in emissions from 7.5 % by 2030. 2050 to reach.

In a context in which data traffic in the mobile phone sector was even quadrupled between 2019 and 2023, preliminary data for 2024 show 4.5 %, despite an expected decline in emissions, that the mobile phone providers have to make even more efforts. The global trend shows that emissions in many regions, such as in Europe, where a reduction of 56 %, took place in North America by 44 % and 36 % in Latin America, but not enough to achieve global climate goals.

climate goals of the German mobile phone industry

The German mobile network operators have set themselves ambitious climate goals that target climate -neutral management by 2025. These goals include the direct operation of the telecommunications networks and data centers as well as the entire value chain. More efficient network techniques, the installation of new technologies and the shutdown of outdated systems contribute to this. The use of 5G network techniques that transmit data with up to 90 % less greenhouse gas emissions is significant progress to minimize emissions, reports Information Center-mobilfunk.de.

Another step towards sustainability are measures such as switching to electric vehicles in the fleet of companies and the use of wind power for electricity generation at mobile radio stations. The mobile operators intend to compensate for their unavoidable emissions through climate protection projects, whereby a significant part of the CO2 emissions in the value chain is being created and can be influenced indirectly.

global and local challenges

The expert opinion of the Council of Experts for Environmental Questions criticizes German climate policy as insufficient and has developed recommendations to improve the quality of life through climate, environmental and health protection. It notes that there is no lack of environmental changes, but the necessary political, economic and social measures are left behind the goals. In order to slow down global warming, a cool-down of the CO2 emissions is of fundamental importance, so [dw.com] (https://www.dw.com/de/deutschland-bis-203-klimaneutral-klimawandel-experten-der- Bundes-fönge-fehlen-co2-budget-sru/a-53427340).

experts propose a CO2 budget for Germany that specifies a maximum of 6.7 billion tons of CO2 by 2038 in order to limit the increase in temperature in a timely manner. For the more ambitious 1.5-degree goal, this budget would have to be used up in 2032. This makes the need for quick and substantial reductions in emissions in all sectors, also in the mobile phone industry.

The progress of the mobile phone industry shows that the path to a more sustainable future has already started. Nevertheless, considerable efforts are still required to achieve the climate goals and to make a positive contribution to global climate protection.