THE MERITS OF GREEN TELECOMMUNICATIONS: UAE 2024 CASE STUDY

According to Pathanson and Atang (2023), green communication is an innovative approach that aims at exploring networking and communication technologies that may greatly increase wireless communications and resource efficiency without compromising users' quality of service (QoS). Green communication, or green networking, prioritises the reduction of these resources to maximise energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

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The ICT industry accounts for?roughly 3–4% of worldwide CO2 emissions, according to the BCG study (2021); within this sector, telecoms are accountable for 1.6% of global CO2 emissions overall and are expected to grow by over 60% a year (Kaushal, 2023).

There is a growing demand for energy-efficient solutions and substantial actions to reduce the environmental effects of telecom and communication technology firms due to rising power prices and growing concerns about sustainability (Roller, 2023). With an already 2–3% worldwide energy consumption, telecom operators are among the most energy-intensive companies in their respective regions (Kaushal, 2023). Upstream and downstream operations, including the energy usage of their suppliers, account for up to 90% of the emissions telecom firms produce.

A significant amount of energy can be saved by turning off unnecessary or redundant hardware and network components and by implementing renewable energy sources like solar power for cell towers. Other new and emerging technologies that can help operators achieve these environmental goals include cloud computing, converged networks, energy-efficient network equipment, upcoming 6G networking, and optimising data centres to reduce their carbon footprint (Roller, 2023).

The fear of incurring more costs is a primary factor contributing to organisations' reluctance to engage in green communication. However, as authenticity does not receive sufficient scrutiny, unethical organisations can "greenwash" their products or businesses, leading consumers to believe they are sustainable. (Kshemkalyani, 2024).

According to Al Helou (2023), a majority of 30 to 60% of global telco subscribers and customers are eager to support telcos that invest in sustainability, with climate change being a major issue. For example, they would?pay more for certified carbon-neutral cell airtime.

Green Telecommunications in UAE

The Middle East has experienced a notable surge in digitisation, as more Middle Eastern markets are working towards their net-zero goals of improving the sustainability of their ICT infrastructure (Al Helou, 2023).

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is the fourth country in the world to roll out 5G, has presented a comprehensive plan to lead the development of 6G, or sixth-generation mobile networks, by 2030 (Nashar, 2024). With a focus on reducing energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions across a range of industries, the UAE's 6G Roadmap is in perfect alignment with global sustainability goals.

Merit of Green Telecoms to the UAE

Effective green communication entails creating plans for a stable and continuous reduction in carbon emissions rather than seeking out temporary fixes or more short-term eco-sustainable activities.

According to the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (2024), the UAE is currently implementing groundbreaking renewable energy and energy efficiency programmes. The UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, the first of any country in the Middle East, aligns with its development vision to create new knowledge, along with green industries, skills, and jobs. While costs are likely to pay off in the long term, it is important to view the benefits of green communication as quality-of-life improvements. Some of these merits include:

Reduced Operating Costs

Green communication emphasises the efficient use of resources and the reduction of waste. For instance, the shift from hardware dependency to cloud computing during a transition to clean energy will result in lower spending on equipment and equipment repairs (Roller, 2023).

Sustainable Improvements

So far, green communication in the UAE through sustainable manufacturing aims at providing connectivity with the lowest possible GHG emissions and carbon footprint.

A notable instance is Etisalat by e& (2023), a leading multinational Emirati-based communications company. As part of their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitment, they introduced recycled ‘Green SIM Cards’ with a lower carbon footprint for their UAE customers. The new cards are manufactured from recycled consumer electronics and are more environmentally sustainable than traditional cards.

Improved Flexibility

Green telecommunication methods can improve the flexibility of an organisation by replacing desk phones with more environmentally friendly options like a VoIP phone service, which allows employees to work from anywhere while reducing carbon emissions created by the work commute.

According to Bloomberg (2024), the UAE is home to a dozen seaports, which drive their economy and the global supply chain, and there is a demand for improved connectivity and upgrades in the region to improve their operations. Idle time can also make ports clusters of carbon emissions; however, green initiatives such as IoT sensors are playing an important role in enabling ports to operate at peak performance by tapping into the energy-saving benefits of 5G.

Social Responsibility

Green communication helps businesses work towards the betterment of society and the environment, as environmental impact should be at the heart of business operations and extend to your corporate mission.

In the UAE, both operators — e& and Du have committed to reaching net zero goals by accelerating the decarbonisation of activities, increasing the use of renewable energy sources, and implementing carbon offsetting initiatives that focus on mobile network modernisation with the deployment of the latest generation of energy-efficient radio hardware and software equipment (Telecom Review, 2023). Their other collaborative partners include Huawei, Nokia and Ericsson.

National Importance of Green Telecoms to the UAE

Foundationally, for green communications to be successful in the Middle East, organisations must genuinely commit to making their products and services more sustainable.

There must be both internal and external communication about sustainability, allowing employees to better understand and engage with the business's sustainability policies and actions (Kshemkalyani, 2024).

In light of these, we can categorise the national importance of these initiatives to the UAE as follows:

Economic importance

Green communication serves great economic importance to the UAE. Reports state that UAE investments in green growth (green agenda) could translate into a 5.5% boost to national GDP by 2030, particularly if robust actions were taken to further develop the clean and renewable energy sector and increase energy efficiency (Mu?oz-Smith, 2016; TDRA, 2023).

According to the World Economic Forum (2024), the sustainable economic growth of green communication is evident, as the value of the telecom market in the Middle East is forecast to increase by $20.57 billion between 2021 and 2026.

The telecom industry is thriving in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Strong macroeconomic advancements in domestic markets and the implementation of 5G technology have allowed telecom companies to offer a diverse range of services to both consumers and businesses. As a result, they have positioned themselves as crucial facilitators of the digital transformation.

Green Communication Innovation Pioneers

Through UAE's strategic collaborations with industrial players in various sectors, telecoms are not only empowering industries to embrace cutting-edge technologies but are also leveraging their expertise in connectivity and technology to position themselves at the forefront of innovation.

Top collaborations such as Korea Telecom, Memorandum with Hyundai E&C and STC Group, the parent company of Saudi Telecom for a 50-year digital transformation project in Saudi Arabia, as well as the EDISON Alliance initiative to foster global digital inclusion and connect 1 billion people by 2025 to essential services, would drive more innovation to other sectors in UAE (Valkhof & Adi, 2024).

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Reputation for Global advancement

The UAE's investment in emerging green technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, has improved operational efficiency and competitiveness. This has solidified the UAE's position as a global centre for innovation and technology, both regionally and globally (Hussein & WAM, 2024).

Regional Industrial Improvement

A growing number of telecom offerings now include green communication technologies such as cloud, edge, and artificial intelligence (AI), which help businesses in a variety of sectors boost output, do predictive maintenance, and make data-driven decisions (Valkhof & Adi, 2024).? Together, Microsoft and Ooredoo, the top ICT service provider in Qatar, are leveraging the convergence of technology and telecoms to provide businesses with digital solutions that will increase their productivity, cut costs, and prepare them for the digital age.

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Job Opportunities

The UAE Government cooperates with different institutes to strategically carry out green initiatives that provide employment opportunities for citizens, especially in the areas of renewable energy, while maintaining natural and environmental resources (Kunos et al., 2020).

Conclusion

Green telecommunications are pivotal in driving both environmental sustainability and operational efficiency. The UAE's proactive measures highlight how national policies can effectively promote eco-friendly practices in other parts of the world. While challenges like high initial costs and technological complexities exist, strategic investments will enable countries to build robust green telecommunications infrastructures that align with their sustainability goals.

References

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Kaushal, R. (2023, April 11). Green telecom networks: Key to sustainable future. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/green-telecom-networks-key-to-sustainable-future/

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