In a groundbreaking announcement at MWC Barcelona 2024, the GSMA's fourth Mobile Net Zero report illuminated a promising trend within the telecommunications industry: a six percent global decline in carbon emissions among mobile network operators from 2019 to 2022. This pivotal finding underscores the sector's growing commitment to environmental sustainability and its collective efforts to combat climate change.
Europe emerges as the frontrunner in this environmental endeavour, boasting a remarkable 50 percent reduction in operational emissions. This achievement is paralleled by substantial decreases in North America, Latin America, the Middle East, and North Africa, where emissions have dwindled by 20-30 percent. Despite these advances, the report notes an uptick in emissions within China and the Asia-Pacific region—home to the world's largest and second-largest mobile markets. However, this regional setback is overshadowed by the overall global downturn in emissions, a feat made all the more notable by the simultaneous surge in data consumption.
The GSMA, representing mobile operators worldwide, has laid out an ambitious roadmap for the industry: achieving a net zero status by 2050, necessitating a reduction in emissions to 45 percent below 2020 levels by 2030. This entails an annual decline of about seven percent across all emission scopes, including direct emissions (Scope 1), indirect emissions from purchased electricity (Scope 2), and those from the supply chain (Scope 3). Recent progress, particularly in operational emissions across Europe, North America, Latin America, and MENA, signals a promising trajectory toward meeting these targets. However, the report calls for enhanced data and analysis to comprehend the trends in Scope 3 emissions fully.
This reduction in operational emissions comes against a backdrop of escalating data demand and connectivity. The global number of mobile connections has risen by seven percent, while internet traffic has more than doubled between 2019 and 2022. The industry's strides towards carbon reduction have mainly been fueled by advancements in energy efficiency and a transition towards renewable energy sources.
John Giusti, GSMA's Chief Regulatory Officer, highlights the significance of these findings, noting that the mobile industry's commitment to a net-zero future is beginning to bear fruit. With Europe taking an early lead and the Americas and MENA regions making commendable progress, the quest for net zero is not just a competitive race but a collective endeavour with global stakes.
In parallel with its environmental report, the GSMA also provided an update on the GSMA Open Gateway initiative at MWC Barcelona. Launched in 2023, this initiative aims to harness the full potential of 5G networks through a framework of universal network APIs. With 47 mobile operator groups now part of this initiative, representing 239 mobile networks across the globe, the GSMA Open Gateway is set to revolutionize digital services and applications by facilitating seamless integration with participating networks.
Focusing initially on combating online fraud and cybercrime, the initiative has already seen the launch of various APIs across multiple countries, enhancing online security and customer experiences. With the collective efforts of mobile operators and technology partners, the GSMA Open Gateway is poised to unlock a US$300 billion market opportunity by 2030, as forecasted by McKinsey.
As the telecommunications industry marches towards a net-zero future, the GSMA's latest findings and initiatives underscore the sector's pivotal role in shaping a sustainable, interconnected world. Through collaborative efforts and technological innovation, the path to reducing carbon emissions and harnessing the benefits of 5G networks is becoming increasingly clear, promising a greener and more connected tomorrow.