The telecom sector of Pakistan is at the center of economic growth, governance and everyday life due to rapid digital transformation. The telecom networks act as the digital backbone of the country, with more than 200.3 million Telecom subscribers and more than 150 million broadband subscribers. Despite the expansion of connectivity throughout Pakistan, an important question is coming up; is it environmentally sustainable? The environmental cost of phone calls and internet is quite high and very often ignored. There are more than 58,423 total cell sites in Pakistan that consume 3 to 6 kilowatt-hours of electricity every hour. One tower may consume over 50000 units of electricity in a year while functioning day and night. When it is multiplied through 1,000 sites, the energy footprint is large.
In several rural and semi-urban areas, telecom operators depend on diesel generators due to erratic supply of grid electricity. Relying on fossil fuels releases toxic air pollutants as well as greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Over 60% of Pakistan’s electricity generation is sourced from fossil fuels, meaning even grid-connected infrastructure has a huge carbon footprint. As the country is facing record-breaking heat waves and recurring energy shortages, and with climate change leading to more and more floods, the environmental cost of connectivity is becoming increasingly difficult to overlook.
Energy consumption is not the only problem. Pakistan is also facing a mounting issue of electronic waste connected to its telecom and digital industries. The country’s e-waste burden is increasing due to obsolete network devices, wasted mobile phones, batteries, and routers. Pakistan produces more than 400,000 metric tons of e-waste every year, according to the Global E-Waste Monitor. However, no national policy for collection, recycling or safe disposal exists. Most e-waste ends up in the hands of the informal sector which engages in the process of dismantling and recycling without safety measures in place. This exposes workers to toxic substances and dirties the soil and air while polluting water, posing long-term public health and environmental hazards.
Some telecom operators have initiated action to alleviate these issues. As the leading mobile broker in Pakistan, Jazz has launched a Climate Action Charter, tested solar-powered towers, and adopted lithium-ion batteries. Telenor Pakistan has installed over 1,700 solar energy solutions, has developed smart energy management solutions, and operates its ‘Take Back’ program to encourage the return of old devices. Zong 4G is testing solar-battery-diesel hybrid energy systems while the PTCL Group is switching to energy-efficient cooling systems in exchanges and data centres.
In spite of these initiatives indicating progress, yet reporting on sustainability remains voluntary and the publicly available data regarding real energy savings or emissions reduction in the life cycle of products is limited. While several companies are stepping up their sustainability game, it is hard to understand the real impact of their efforts.
Green progress in the telecom sector continues to be affected by structural challenges. Diesel generators are largely used by operators in Pakistan due to power shortages in the country. Regulatory framework for telecom sector does not exist for monitoring carbon emission or for carrying out energy audits or meeting e-waste compliance and others. It is highly cost-sensitive and exhibits one of the lowest average revenues per user in the region, making the financial investment in green infrastructure at scale challenging without external funding. Another ineffective link is public awareness as the demand for green telecom services is limited.
The sector's headway towards sustainability requires a roadmap, according to policy experts. Green telecom guidelines should be introduced by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, financial incentives/tax rebates or green financing should be offered to support the adoption of renewable energy while e-waste management should be formalized with certified recycling facilities throughout the country. Efforts are also required to achieve public-private partnerships, particularly for solar-powered towers in rural areas, along with a nationwide public campaign on e-waste and energy conservation.
There is an urgent need to curtail the environmental impact of the telecom industry. Innovation in telecom infrastructure will help facilitate the future of the country or the world. With appropriate policies and a collective disposition, Pakistan can position itself at the forefront of green digital infrastructure in the global South.
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