Despite the major increase in data traffic, a new report commissioned by BT and developed by Accenture predicts that the technology sector is set to reduce its energy demand and global carbon emissions by as much as 40 per cent over the next decade - despite an expected eight-fold increase in data traffic by 2030.

The report, Harnessing Data to Empower a Sustainable Future, sees the purchasing renewable electricity, setting and achieving science-based emissions reductions targets and driving energy efficiencies through new technologies such as 5G, fibre networks, and the Cloud, cutting carbon emissions significantly whilst limiting the growth in energy demand to just 1.3 per cent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the next decade.

While progress is being made by the global tech sector to reduce its carbon footprint, the report found that the UK was one of the countries leading the way.

Investments in and growth of renewable electricity on the UK grid; the closure of the legacy public switched telephone network (PSTN) by the end of 2025; and the migration of customers onto full fibre and 5G networks could see sector carbon emissions in the UK decrease by up to 68 per cent over the next decade.

Andy Wales, chief digital impact and sustainability officer at BT said: “This report demonstrates the progress being made by BT and the rest of the technology sector in curbing emissions and sets the record straight around the sector - the emissions it’s responsible for and the savings it enables.”

In the run up to COP26 later this year, BT is calling on other companies to set their own net-zero targets and to engage with their customers, colleagues and suppliers about climate change and the difference they can make.

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