Mobile network operators worldwide are making significant progress in reducing carbon emissions, but greater access to renewable energy – particularly in emerging markets – is essential if the industry is to meet its climate targets and remain on track to achieve net zero by 2050.

GSMA said this in its new ‘Mobile Net Zero 2026: State of the Industry on Climate Action’ released Wednesday.

The report, which analyses energy and emissions data from more than 110 mobile operators representing 85 per cent of global mobile connections, shows that the industry’s operational emissions fell by five per cent in 2024 alone and by 13 per cent between 2019 and 2024. This has been achieved despite mobile connections increasing by 10 per cent and data traffic more than quadrupling over the same period.

The findings highlighted how energy efficiency improvements, network modernisation and increased use of renewable energy are helping operators reduce both emissions and operating costs.

However, while emissions are falling across every region of the world, the report warned that progress must accelerate further if the sector is to achieve the 45 per cent emissions reduction required by 2030 under the industry’s science-based pathway.

GSMA noted that renewable energy remains the single biggest driver of emissions reductions. It said operators purchased or generated around 70 TWh of renewable electricity in 2024, equivalent to the total renewable electricity generation of Indonesia.

The share of operator electricity sourced from renewables (in addition to renewables already in the grid mix) has more than doubled since 2019, from 10 per cent to 24 per cent.

The report recommends that governments play a critical enabling role in accelerating the transition by creating policy environments that encourage investment in renewable energy and grids, modernising electricity markets to improve corporate access to renewables, and streamlining permitting processes to accelerate clean energy deployment.

Chief Regulatory Officer at the GSMA, John Giusti, said: “The mobile industry continues to demonstrate that economic growth, digital connectivity and climate action can go hand in hand. Operators are connecting more people, carrying more data and supporting digital economies around the world while still reducing emissions.

“The progress we are seeing is encouraging, but more needs to be done. Access to renewable energy remains one of the biggest factors determining how quickly operators can decarbonise. Policymakers have a vital role in creating the conditions that enable investment in clean energy infrastructure and accelerate the transition to net zero.

“Mobile networks are critical infrastructure for modern societies and economies. Ensuring they can access affordable, reliable renewable energy will not only help reduce emissions, but also strengthen energy security, improve resilience and support sustainable economic growth.”

The report further noted that as of June 2026, 81 mobile operators have near-term science-based targets, representing nearly half of global mobile connections and more than two-thirds of industry revenues. 50 operators have committed to net zero targets, with 46 already validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

GSMA said operational emissions are falling. It noted that the mobile industry’s operational emissions were estimated at 115 million tonnes of CO2e in 2024, representing around 0.2 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions fell by five per cent in 2024, double the average annual reduction achieved over the previous four years.

The report revealed that operators sourced one-quarter of their electricity from renewable energy in 2024, up from 10 per cent in 2019. European operators had the highest share of renewables, sourcing around 70 per cent of their electricity from renewables, followed by 50 per cent in North America and 45 per cent in Latin America.