With world leaders meeting this week to discuss climate change and the urgent action needed to cut carbon emissions, Mobile UK, the voice of the UK telecoms industry, highlights how the fast and effective deployment of 5G could help the combined G7 manufacturing sectors reduce their total carbon emissions by 1% during the period 2020-2035.

A reduction of 1% equates to around 182 MtCO2e* - roughly equivalent to 75% of the annual carbon emissions of France. Current emissions from manufacturing and industrial processes in the G7 countries of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US totalled 1,029 MtCO2e in 2018 (source CAIT Climate Data Explorer).

Mobile UK has commissioned a report looking into the impact of 5G on carbon emissions reduction which is due to be published in full in time for COP26, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in November.

The influence of 5G networks in smart industry technologies is predicted to increase from 0% in 2020 to 50% in 2035, with 4G and WiFi being used for smart industry technologies too (source - O2: AGreener Connected Future).

Commenting, Head of Policy and Communications at Mobile UK, Gareth Elliott said:

“The G7 has a prominent opportunity to set out important strategies to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change; it is vital that in doing so they identify early on the technologies that will facilitate this global effort.

‍“What is clear is that 5G technologies will act as a major facilitator technology that will underpin societies’ efforts to mitigate climate change quickly across multiple sectors. It is important that while G7 leaders discuss how they will work together, they ensure the deployment of 5G technologies forms a critical part of that planning.”

Mobile UK has been running a 5G public information campaign since February this year. Entitled ‘#5GCheckTheFacts’ the campaign seeks to inform, educate and bust the myths surrounding 5G, the next generation mobile network.

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Notes to editors:

* Refers to million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. This is a consistent measure of assessing the contribution of greenhouse gases to global warming.

For further information:

Rebecca.Knee@purplefish.agency / Joanna.Randall@purplefish.agency

Tel: 0117 925 1358 / 07538 914018

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