Mobile Industry Faces Renewable Energy Hurdle on Path to Net Zero

The sector’s progress is largely driven by a significant shift in power procurement. According to the Mobile Net Zero 2026 report, which tracks 110 operators representing 85% of global connections, the industry utilized 70 TWh of renewable electricity in 2024—a volume matching the total renewable output of Indonesia. The proportion of electricity sourced directly from renewable projects has climbed from 10% to 24% over the last five years.

John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer at the GSMA, noted that while the industry has proven that digital expansion and climate action are not mutually exclusive, the pace of decarbonization remains uneven. Emerging markets, in particular, face challenges in securing clean power infrastructure. The report calls on policymakers to modernize electricity markets and streamline permitting processes, arguing that regulatory support is the primary lever needed to sustain the current momentum toward a net-zero future.