Connectivity and telecommunications make our lives significantly easier, to the point of becoming indispensable, especially during the holiday season. Whether to communicate with loved ones or to facilitate digital commerce and entertainment, they play a vital role. 

However, the telecommunications industry—and technology in general—must pay special attention to sustainability. Not only because it is a major consumer of energy and producer of waste—responsible for 3% of global energy consumption and 2% of the world’s total carbon emissions—but also because it can contribute to environmental protection without compromising its functions. 

The impact of telecommunications on sustainability

Connectivity, communications, and information technology, broadly speaking, face an ongoing dichotomy. On the one hand, they enable activities that reduce ecological impact, such as remote work, decentralisation, and automation. On the other hand, these very activities have a direct environmental impact due to the energy consumption and operational demands of devices, data centres, and network infrastructures. 

This impact can spike during specific periods, such as the holiday season, due to increased 5G network traffic, higher data transmission demands, and a surge in text, image, and video connections. If not managed properly, these spikes can cause significantly greater damage than usual. 

Strategies to reduce environmental impact

Both private sector companies—whether directly related to telecommunications or not—and end users have an important and proactive role in mitigating the industry’s environmental impact. While their resources and capacity to manage this impact vary, the fundamental strategies are the same: 

• Energy consumption optimisation: Utilising renewable energy sources in data centres and networks, as well as in domestic and personal usage wherever possible. 

• Promoting electronic device recycling: Encouraging a circular economy reduces electronic waste and associated emissions. In a society accustomed to high device turnover every one to two years—sometimes even more frequently for businesses—steering consumer habits toward a circular economy is always a positive step. 

• Consumer education: Raising awareness about sustainable practices until they become part of corporate culture. For end users, simple habits like completely turning off devices when not in use, rather than leaving them on standby, can make a significant difference. 

Technological advancements as sustainability allies

Artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G are transforming the telecommunications sector and contributing significantly to reducing its environmental impact—marking a potential turning point in the industry’s ecological footprint management. 

Artificial intelligence enables better energy optimisation by predicting and adjusting energy consumption in real-time, thereby reducing waste. Additionally, it simplifies efficient network management by identifying usage peaks, allowing for a more balanced distribution of resources. 

On the other hand, 5G demonstrates superior energy efficiency, as 5G networks consume less energy per bit transmitted compared to previous technologies. Furthermore, it is an essential foundation for a sustainable Internet of Things (IoT), facilitating smart solutions in transportation, agriculture, and smart cities—or their ongoing developments—which contributes to reducing emissions across various sectors. 

Celebrating a sustainable Christmas in telecommunications requires a collective effort from both companies and consumers. Adopting responsible practices and using energy as efficiently as possible, combined with the implementation of advanced technologies, can minimise the sector’s environmental impact. This ensures we can fully enjoy the benefits of telecommunications without compromising sustainability.