Comprehensive Analysis of Full-Process Carbon Emission Evaluation in the Telecommunication Industry

As the world transitions into the digital economy, the construction of digital infrastructure, primarily driven by the communication industry, has emerged as a significant carbon emitter. To achieve the long-term goal of carbon neutrality by 2060, it is essential to implement a Carbon Neutrality Plan during the development of digital infrastructure. This study analyzes carbon emissions in the telecommunication industry, focusing on energy consumption from base stations, terminal devices, and data centers. The research illustrates that three key factors influenced the carbon emission of the telecommunication industry from 2019 to 2023: the carbon emissions from 5G base stations are nearly double those of 4G, the emissions from leading terminal manufacturers, and the carbon emissions of internet data centers established by operators in China. Based on this analysis, the study proposes three energy-saving and carbon reduction strategies: a base station sleep plan, energy-efficient practices for terminal manufacturers, and systems to minimize energy consumption in data storage within data centers. As the digital economy expands, addressing the significant carbon emissions from digital infrastructure development, particularly in China's telecommunication industry, requires a strategic Carbon Neutrality Plan focused on key factors and innovative energy-saving strategies to achieve the 2060 carbon neutrality goal.