GSMA report: The impact of mobile technology on reducing carbon emissions

Smart technologies that connect one machine to another (M2M), also known as the Internet of Things (IoT), and behavioral changes brought about by individuals using smartphones will have a significant impact on reducing global carbon emissions.

M2M technologies can help reduce carbon emissions in the buildings, transportation, manufacturing and energy sectors:

• The contribution of buildings is to improve energy efficiency and encourage behavioral changes, reducing gas and electricity consumption. These technologies include building management systems and smart meters.
• Mobile communications technology can reduce transport emissions in various ways, for example by facilitating the use of charging stations, increasing the penetration of electric vehicles, and improving route optimisation and vehicle fuel efficiency through telematics.
• In the manufacturing industry, the use of mobile technology for storage and inventory management has significantly reduced the overall inventory levels and floor space required, improving efficiency and reducing energy consumption for lighting and refrigeration.
• Smart grids in the energy sector use mobile communication technology to monitor and regulate electricity demand and transmission to improve coordination and distribution efficiency. In addition, by using M2M connections, small renewable generators are able to participate in the wider market, thereby increasing the amount of green and local energy in the national grid.

To analyse smartphone use to drive behavioural change, the GSMA conducted a global survey of more than 6,000 smartphone users in the UK, China, India, the US, Mexico, Brazil and South Africa, with significant reductions in carbon emissions in the following areas:

• Reduce commuting and leisure travel.
• Increase the use of public transportation by using apps that provide real-time updates.
• Short term accommodation and holiday accommodation are available together.
• Reducing carbon emissions in sectors such as travel, agriculture and health by using mobile shopping and mobile banking apps.

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