Discover the environmental challenges of 5G deployment according to think tank The Shift Project. While certain applications could reduce the carbon footprint, large-scale deployment could increase the energy impact. The report argues for a reasoned and selective deployment of this technology.
While some argue that 5G could generate energy savings, think tank The Shift Project warns that its large-scale deployment risks increasing digital's carbon footprint. The organization's report highlights the environmental effects of this technology and argues for reasoned deployment.
Digital transformation in various sectors is leading to a significant increase in data volumes. In this context, the question of energy impact becomes paramount. The Shift Project uses 5G as a major example to underline the importance of making thoughtful, measured technological choices.
Debates about the environmental and health effects of 5G are particularly heated, especially in Switzerland, where some regions have invalidated anti-5G moratoria. Proponents of the technology claim that some 5G applications could reduce carbon footprints, but The Shift Project points out that there is a risk of increasing digital's carbon footprint by between 18% and 44% by 2030, according to the Haut Conseil pour le Climat.
One of the major challenges is that, although 5G may reduce the energy requirements of certain terminals and networks, the new uses it generates often increase demand. For example, videoconferencing could benefit from improved connectivity, but its expansion requires substantial energy deployment in sparsely populated areas. Similarly, technologies such as autonomous mobility, or uses such as cloud gaming, require much more energy-intensive data capacities.
The Shift Project therefore recommends a selective and reasoned deployment of 5G. Each use needs to be carefully assessed to minimize environmental impacts. For example, for specific uses such as telesurgery or Industry 4.0, deployment limited to certain areas seems more relevant to ensure truly beneficial and targeted use.
In conclusion, the deployment of 5G needs to be framed and thought through to avoid an increase in the carbon footprint and enable a sustainable energy transition in an increasingly connected world.
Source : ICTjournal
