The MCA is the latest in a growing set of European regulators to consider their role in supporting the delivery of environmental goals
Regulator eyes technology's untapped potential for decarbonisation
On 27 October 2023, the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) published a discussion paper on its role in supporting the sustainability efforts of the local telecoms sector, as well as contributing to national and EU-level sustainability goals. The MCA presents third-party research into the environmental impacts of the sector, while also highlighting the negative impact that increasing levels of ecommerce are having on reaching emissions targets in postal services – another market the MCA oversees. However, the regulator also takes a wider lens to national sustainability targets, outlining the unrealised benefits of information and communications technology for decarbonisation across the economy. With the currently limited adoption of automated or smart technologies in industries such as agriculture, electricity and transport, the MCA considers that telecoms networks and services can be key in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a much larger scale.
The MCA outlines how it can contribute to sustainability efforts
While acknowledging it does not have any legal remit regarding the environment, the MCA has nonetheless set out six actions it can take to bolster national sustainability efforts focused both within and outside the telecoms sector:
Supporting the decommissioning of legacy technologies for fixed and mobile networks;
Encouraging operators to commit to the EU’s Code of Conduct on Energy Consumption of Broadband Equipment;
Collecting and evaluating environmental impact data against sustainability targets for telecoms sector stakeholders;
Raising awareness about the importance of repair, reuse and recycling of end user equipment in developing circular economies;
Promoting cross-sector adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) and automated technologies to minimise GHG emissions; and
Monitoring emissions linked to postal services and sharing best practices among postal operators.
The MCA is inviting stakeholder feedback on the discussion paper until 18 December, after which it will begin drafting a plan of action in coordination with operators and other public bodies (some of which do have a specific sustainability remit).
The latest EU regulator to sharpen its focus on the environment
The MCA joins a growing chorus of EU regulators embedding environmental considerations into their work. The actions set out by the MCA reflect similar efforts of its peers, with measures including voluntary data collection on sustainability, encouraging end users to participate in the circular economy and facilitating the retirement of legacy networks. Our research discusses some of the efforts being made across the bloc, including the leading work Arcep is undertaking in France to incorporate sustainability across its policy development and reporting activities. Compared to its peers, the MCA stands out through its interest in leveraging technological developments to lower emissions in other industries. The paper projects a collaborative vision in which the MCA will not only work with the telecoms sector to reduce emissions but also champion industry innovations as solutions to environmental challenges across the whole of the economy. With the European Green Deal recognising the role of connectivity in the twin green and digital transitions, there remains scope for policymakers to do more to help limit the industry's carbon footprint and accelerate the journey to net zero.
