Nokia's Bold Moves Towards a Sustainable Future

In our fast-evolving digital era, the focus on sustainability within the telecommunications sector is becoming ever more paramount. Companies are increasingly seeking to expand their reach and efficacy while ensuring their growth strategies are ecologically sound.

At the forefront of this sustainable push is Nokia, a global giant in the telecom industry, which has committed to an impressive goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2040. Nokia’s Vice President, Global Head of Sustainability, Subho Mukherjee, underlines the imperative of conscience in technology. “Digital technologies underpin critical aspects of our lives, but we have a responsibility to ensure the cost of these benefits is not paid for by future generations,” he states. “Every decision should also be viewed through the lens of sustainability.”

Nokia’s approach is holistic, as laid out in the company’s Planet and Sustainability Handbook. The strategy navigates through the intricacies of reducing Nokia’s own environmental footprint and also extends to using technology for societal benefits.

Nokia's dynamic approach to sustainability

Nokia's sustainability strategy is robust, encompassing several ambitious goals anchored by its 2040 net zero target, which is facilitated by its cutting-edge technologies. Already, Nokia has achieved a reduction in its total greenhouse gas emissions by 11% across Scope 1, 2, and 3, despite the growing demand for digital services which inherently increases energy requirements.

Among Nokia’s sustainable achievements, the most notable is the 50% reduction in power usage of their AirScale 5G massive MIMO Base Transceiver Stations since 2019. This is critical as the global deployment of 5G networks is set to increase energy consumption considerably. Subho highlights the impact of their innovations, “Nokia's most advanced chipsets can demonstrate as much as a 75% reduction in power consumption from previous generations as well as a more than 3x increase in performance, helping operators as they look to break the link between data growth and energy consumption.”

Nokia's innovative solutions also include the Private Wireless Sustainability Calculator, which offers data-driven insights to industries aiming to reduce their environmental footprint. Notably, a survey alongside Global Data revealed that 79% of organisations reported a 10% reduction in emissions after deploying private wireless networks.

Leveraging AI for environmental gains

The marriage of technology and sustainable practice is also evident in Nokia’s application of artificial intelligence. AI enables more efficient network operations which are crucial in mitigating energy wastage. Subho elaborates on the capabilities of AI in practical scenarios, “By knowing how traffic moves around a city, and where congestion builds, we can reduce air pollution by altering traffic signals or changing bus routes, but getting this insight is incredibly difficult. Internet-enabled devices can provide this information, helping us create a more sustainable future for all.”

This implementation of technology not only prevents negative impacts but also promotes positive influences. AI is used to manage network connectivity dynamically, shutting down parts of the network when not in use to conserve energy. Subho suggests, “Why not power it down until it is needed?” This approach could slash energy consumption markedly by up to 15%, demonstrating the tangible benefits of AI in sustainability.

Advancing sustainable growth while managing data demands

The burgeoning use of digital technologies like AI increases the demand for data centres, which in turn can potentially heighten energy consumption. It is projected that global electricity demand from data centres may double by 2026. Nokia confronts this issue with pioneering network technology, transitioning from less efficient systems to cutting-edge, energy-saving technologies such as fiber networks and 5G, which dramatically improve energy efficiency compared to previous generations.

In addition to technological innovation, Nokia propels the idea of a circular economy in the telecom sector, effectively managing waste and resource use by recycling and refurbishing telecommunications equipment. This strategic move not only addresses environmental sustainability but also emphasises social sustainability efforts.

Nokia's extensive corporate social responsibility initiatives, like their Smartpur project in India, expand digital accessibility and foster skills development in underprivileged areas, thereby promoting digital inclusivity.

Closing with a strong affirmation of Nokia’s forward-looking stance, Subho states, “Sustainability is now part of every conversation... At Nokia, we believe technology has the power to deliver a digital society, where human endeavour is only improved by intelligent design and intervention – our business is to ensure our customers are more aware, informed and successful.”

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