5G to play key role in building a greener economy claims O2

• The application of 5G and connected technology, such as smart grids and autonomous vehicles, could see the UK save up to 269 megatonnes of CO2 by 2035, almost equivalent to England’s total emissions in 2018 (280 megatonnes)
• The utilities and home energy sector could see the greatest benefit, as up to 181 megatonnes of CO2 could be removed from the sector by 2035
• O2 is ahead of schedule with its 5G rollout, hitting 60 sites in June – surpassing its commitment to switch-on a total of fifty places by summer 2020
• The company launches its third Blueprint for people and planet reiterating its target to become a net zero business by 2025

Advances in mobile technology are set to play a key role in helping the UK achieve Net Zero by 2050. Powered by 5G, the application of smart connected solutions in key sectors could save the UK up to 269 megatonnes of CO2 by 2035. If achieved, this would save almost as much CO2 as all of England’s emissions in 2018 (280 megatonnes).

O2’s new report – entitled ‘A greener connected future’, conducted in partnership with IC&CO and Cenex – found that ultrafast 5G connectivity and the solutions it enables are expected to cut carbon emissions across a number of sectors, with utilities and home energy expected to see the greatest benefit. O2’s research findings estimate that smart tech will enable up to 181 megatonnes of CO2 to be removed from the sector by 2035. The mobile network is in the process of rolling out 5G across the UK, with 60 sites already live and plans to reach 70 before the end of the year.

Transforming high emissions industries

Heating our houses and powering the myriad devices that keep Britain moving has a significant energy cost, but 5G could help reduce this by enabling reliable and ultra-fast communication between machines, powering next-generation smart meters to enable households to track and reduce their consumption.

Other sectors

• Energy – For energy providers, 5G has exciting applications that are expected to enable sweeping efficiencies, including smarter transfer of energy from electric vehicles straight to the national grid.
• Travel – As flexible and home-based working looks set to become more commonplace beyond the COVID-19 lockdown, up to 43 megatonnes of carbon could be removed from the economy as people become less reliant on transport, and 5G-powered autonomous vehicles and smart tech make the UK’s transport system greener. Much of this reduction in CO2 from transport (85%-89%) is set to be achieved through improvements in the ‘remote office’ experience, with 5G powering virtual reality meetings and providing high-speed data processing capabilities, relegating the commute and other unnecessary business travel to a thing of the past.
• Manufacturing – manufacturing in the UK is entering a fourth industrial revolution, with 5G networks set to power the factories of the future. Increased automation will drive efficiencies as well as overall improvements in productivity. 5G will facilitate greater flexibility, lower costs and shorter lead times for factory floor production that together could take up to 40 megatonnes of carbon out of the economy by 2035.

Telecoms must lead from the front

Any connectivity-powered path to net-zero must start with tackling the carbon impact of the telecoms industry, which is why O2 is aiming to reach net zero and reducing supply chain emissions by 30% by 2025, in line with science-based targets. O2’s latest Blueprint reaffirms its commitment to building a Greener Network, delivering carbon savings through the enabling role of mobile technology.

Mark Evans, O2 CEO, said: “Ultrafast connectivity can play a significant part in rebuilding Britain whilst helping to green the economy, and at O2 we are committed to playing our part.

“Our ‘Greener connected future’ report sets out a vision for how connected solutions enabled by 4G and 5G could power a green revolution over the next decade and beyond. If we invest now, there is a real opportunity for Britain to become a leading adopter of 5G and unleash the power of connected solutions to build a greener future for generations to come.”

Steve Martineau, UNFCCC COP26 High Level Climate Action Champions Lead, said: “There is no doubt that connectivity has helped us navigate the COVID-19 crisis, enabling us to work and socialise remotely, deliver remote healthcare and order food and supplies like never before. This unplanned disruption has shown us that there are many things we can do, which were unthinkable just a few months ago. This report makes clear that connectivity has a major role to play in reducing carbon emissions and rebuilding Britain.”

The full report, A Greener Connected Future , can be viewed here, please contact pressoffice@o2.com for more information.