Telecom sector emissions rise in France

Despite overall national declines, the French telecommunications sector has seen a 1% increase in greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, reaching 401,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. This growth contrasts with the country's overall emissions reduction of 0.9% during the same period.

Data centers dominate digital emissions

According to the 2025 ARCEP survey For a sustainable digital economy, data centers are responsible for 46% of the carbon footprint in France’s digital sector. This is significantly higher than the 4.4% attributed to networks, set-top boxes, and decoders combined.

Energy use trends in networks

The total electricity consumption of fixed and mobile networks in France has stabilized at 4.1 TWh. However, this masks diverging trends: mobile networks saw a 4% increase in energy use due to higher data demand and expansion, while fixed networks decreased by 16% as copper lines are replaced with fiber-optic cables.

Manufacturing emissions grow

Greenhouse gas emissions "embodied" in mobile network equipment sold in France reached 72,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024, a 5% increase from the previous year. These emissions cover the entire lifecycle of the equipment, from production to disposal, excluding the usage phase.

Innovations in construction materials

To reduce environmental impact, telecom operators are exploring alternatives to traditional materials. Bouygues Telecom is developing methods to cut concrete use by 30%, while startups like Terra CO2 Technology claim they can reduce cement-related emissions by 70%. Wood-based concrete is also being considered as a more sustainable option.

Material choices involve complex trade-offs

Selecting materials for telecom infrastructure requires balancing environmental impact with factors like mechanical strength, transport, maintenance, lifespan, and recyclability. These considerations apply to all components, including poles, foundations, and end-of-life disposal.

Data centers increase energy demand

French data center operators increased their electricity consumption by 12% in 2024, leading to a 23% rise in associated greenhouse gas emissions. This increase is partly due to a shift toward a more carbon-intensive electricity mix and growing demand for digital services.

Efforts to improve data center efficiency

To reduce emissions, data centers are implementing measures such as optimizing air circulation, isolating hot and cold air flows, adjusting temperature settings, using more efficient equipment, and recovering heat when feasible. Extending the lifespan of equipment and reusing it also plays a key role in minimizing environmental impact.