SIMs, cloud, supply chain… how Thales is helping telcos cut carbon emissions

Can mobile connectivity growth and carbon reduction go hand in hand? Explore Thales’s roadmap for greener telecom operations. 

Reducing emissions at every link in the chain 

The journey to a sustainable mobile industry isn’t just about greener products. Thales scrutinizes every aspect of its operations and its impact on the telco ecosystem, from designing eco-friendly SIM cards to partnering with suppliers committed to low-carbon initiatives and driving efficiencies in its own facilities. By targeting emissions reduction across products, procurement, operations, and mobility, Thales demonstrates that real change requires action at every stage - from design to delivery and beyond. 

Greener telecom: how Thales helps mobile operators cut carbon emissions

The Challenge: Growth and Sustainability Must Align 

From smartphones to smartwatches - and even connected saltshakers - the rapid expansion of mobile devices has transformed day-to-day life and business operations around the globe. While this connectivity brings tangible benefits, like enabling remote work and supporting precision agriculture, it also drives substantial energy consumption and environmental challenges. Data reveals that in 2023, mobile operators accounted for nearly one percent of the world’s total electricity usage. 

The industry recognises the stakes. In 2019, global mobile operators united under the GSMA’s pledge to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Marked progress followed: operational emissions dropped by 8 percent between 2019 and 2023, and the share of electricity from renewables rose sharply - from 13 percent in 2019 to 37 percent in 2023. Notably, 70 mobile network operators - representing more than half of all mobile connections worldwide - have now adopted the Science Based Targets Initiative certified strategy to guide their climate action. 

Meeting these ambitious goals demands more than commitments: it requires practical action across the entire mobile value chain. This includes Thales, which made its first low carbon commitments in 2015. Here’s how Thales is playing its part: 

Four key pathways: Thales’s approach to carbon reduction 

1. Products and services: re-inventing the SIM 

Thales has reimagined SIM card design for sustainability. Beginning with smaller SIM formats, the journey led to the EcoSIM - crafted from recycled plastics. With the advent of eSIMs, Thales champions the transition to digital, eliminating packaging and logistics emissions. Yet, the company remains vigilant of the trade-offs, such as the current eSIM chip’s environmental impact, and is actively engineering future generations to shrink their footprint even further. 

Cloud-based subscription management also plays a vital role. Thales’s decision to use Google Cloud for its On-Demand Subscription Manager not only met strict security needs but leveraged one of the world’s most energy-efficient cloud infrastructures. 

2. Responsible procurement: engaging the supply chain 

True transformation requires every link in the supply chain to participate. Thales fosters this by insisting its suppliers align with strong integrity and sustainability commitments, offering support programs where needed. In 2023 alone, 67 percent of Thales’s mobile suppliers committed to low-carbon planning - a notable step toward broader industry change. 

3. Sustainable operations: leading by example 

Operational excellence is at the heart of Thales’s climate action. Through targeted energy savings and a transition to renewables, Thales has slashed its direct emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) by 21.9 percent in the past six years, aiming for a 50.4 percent cut by 2030. 

4. Mobility: rethinking corporate travel 

Recognizing the footprint of business mobility, Thales enacts policies to minimise emissions tied to travel, vehicle fleets, and commuting. 

Lasting impact: collaboration drives progress 

These initiatives deliver real results. Thales cut the carbon footprint of its mobile connectivity products by 39 percent between 2018 and 2023. More importantly, customers and suppliers are increasingly seeking transparency and progress on environmental impact - evidenced by a 30 percent rise in customer inquiries on these topics in 2024. As François Perticara, Thales’s Sustainability Director for Mobile Connectivity Solutions, notes, “It confirms that environmental concerns are widespread among our customers. Ultimately the journey to a sustainable, low-carbon future cannot be achieved alone.” 

Partnering toward a low-carbon future 

As the global mobile ecosystem expands, so does its responsibility to act as stewards of the environment. Thales’s commitment - to innovate, collaborate, and support partners at every stage of their sustainability journey - positions it as a valuable ally for operators determined to balance the promise of connectivity with the imperative of climate action.