While progress continues to be made in reducing human-made environmental impacts, it isn’t happening fast enough. The 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change details how global temperatures must start decreasing by 2025 at the latest. Furthermore, they set out a target of reducing global temperatures by 43% by 2030.
Industries face a challenge in balancing capitalist stakeholder demands, consumer and technology trends, and environmental obligations. However, telecos are leading sustainability initiatives, reducing emissions in substantial ways when compared to other industries.
GSMA’s Mobile Net Zero 2025 report argues that the mobile industry is making better progress than many other industries on combating climate change. Between 2019 and 2023, emissions from mobile network operators fell by 8%. However, operators must take bold action if they are to achieve targets while delivering more connectivity at faster speeds.
Unfortunately, the change in consumer behaviour isn’t happening fast enough, and device differentiation through AI innovations could upend the trend. Additionally, according to GSMA, waste from electronic items like mobile phones is expected to continue increasing at least until 2030.
Despite decades of climate change awareness, PwC Global, the UN, and other experts believe that environmental strategies aren’t moving quickly. The planet is still heading for a climate catastrophe. This raises the questions “Do consumers really want sustainable options?” and “How can telecom operators do more?”
Yes, but they tend to forget them when the environmental impact isn’t immediately evident. If you are offered your morning beverage in a plastic, single-use coffee cup or a recyclable one, you are likely to choose the recyclable option.
Unfortunately, if consumers can’t see that vivid choice, they will invariably ignore sustainable product or service features. So, consumers will typically choose devices based on cost and features unless the environmental benefits are made very apparent.
3. Extend the life of networks.
Operators can utilise network solutions to make their legacy systems more efficient and forward and backwards-compatible. By using Interworking Functions and solutions like DSCs, the life of legacy systems can be extended. Carbon emissions can be cut through network efficiency and avoiding overhauls, both of which can save operators money.
‘Whether operators reinvest savings in climate initiatives or pass them on to customers, operators need to make sustainable options more obvious for customers. Customers need to be aware of how their purchases are tied into combating climate change and how their behaviour can contribute to the cause.’
Douglas Bryce, Marketing Communications Specialist at Squire Technologies
