Vodafone report finds 5G, IoT could help cut CO2 emissions

A new sustainability report released today by Vodafone and WPI Economics has discovered that digital technology such as 5G and IoT could help reduce CO2 emissions in the UK. The research shows that the adoption of technology in manufacturing, transport, and agriculture could reduce the UK’s overall emissions by as much as 4% a year or 17.4mn tonnes of CO2e), the equivalent of the annual emissions of the North East of England. 

Digital technology could also play a key role in helping the Government reach its goal to slash emissions by 78% by 2035, before achieving net-zero by 2050, the report finds.

The Vodafone and WPI report titled ‘Connecting for Net Zero: addressing the climate crisis through digital technology’ - examines how existing tech, such as Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G, could substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions in three key sectors: agriculture, manufacturing, and transport.

Andrea Dona, Chief Network Officer at Vodafone UK, said: “Significantly reducing emissions from traditionally carbon-intensive sectors - such as manufacturing, transport, and agriculture - is one of the biggest opportunities of the next decade.

“Businesses and government must work together to drive the adoption of technology that will maximise efficiencies and help the UK decarbonise more rapidly to meet vital environmental goals. At Vodafone, we’re committed to ambitious net-zero targets and to helping our business customers to reduce their carbon footprints through our technology," Andrea said. 

Key findings of Vodafone’s sustainability report 

• In manufacturing, 3.3 million tonnes of CO2e could be saved annually, the same as the emissions produced in the manufacture of almost 600,000 cars. Digital technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and smart building solutions will cut emissions in smart factories through faster and more efficient production lines and increased energy efficiency.

•  In transport, 9.3 million tonnes of CO2e could be saved annually, the equivalent of taking two million cars off the road. For example, telematics enables logistics companies to shorten delivery routes and cut idle time through intelligent route planning, significantly reducing fuel consumption

• In agriculture, 4.8 million tonnes of CO2e could be saved annually, the same as the emissions produced in the production of three billion pints of milk. For example, smart sensors enable improved monitoring of crops, soil, fertiliser, feed, and water, substantially improving resource efficiency and reducing waste.

The report highlights that every part of the UK would see the benefits from such technology. In towns and cities, most of the carbon savings from digital tech (87%) could come from transport; while in the countryside, 38% of the savings could come from the digitalisation of agriculture. 

Susanne Baker, Associate Director, Climate, Environment, and Sustainability at TechUK, said: “It is critical that Government, regulators, and business work together to fight climate change and achieve net-zero by 2050. 

“Digital technology has a huge potential to help us achieve our climate goals. Digital is already emerging as a key tool to support the net-zero transition, and as this report shows, existing digital technology can have an even more significant impact in reducing our carbon footprint across the economy. With COP26 around the corner, now is the time to act.”

The report follows Vodafone UK’s recent announcement that its entire operation – including its mobile and fixed networks, data centres, retail stores, and offices – is now 100% powered by electricity from certifiably renewable sources. “This is an important next step in its commitment to achieving net-zero for its UK operations by 2027 and across its full carbon footprint, globally, by 2040.  Vodafone has also committed to helping its business customers to save 350mn tonnes of CO2e globally by 2030. Over the last year, it estimates that around 54% of its 123 million IoT connections directly enabled customers to reduce their emissions,” Vodafone said.