The report, produced by the EU Science Hub and coordinated by Gianmarco Baldini, provides a comprehensive assessment of sustainability in telecommunications networks. It begins with an introduction that defines the scope and objectives, followed by a detailed methodology that outlines how data were collected, analysed and benchmarked against existing EU policies and international standards. The structure of the document is organised into thematic sections that cover basic concepts of telecommunications networks, the current state of sustainability in the sector, and a set of key performance indicators that can be used to measure progress.

The technical core of the report focuses on the identification and evaluation of a range of sustainability indicators. Energy consumption is analysed at the network level, with a particular emphasis on the efficiency of core and access equipment. Energy efficiency metrics are derived from power usage effectiveness (PUE) values reported by operators, and the report highlights best‑practice configurations that achieve PUE figures below 1.5. Carbon emissions are broken down into Scope 1 (direct emissions from on‑site generators), Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity) and Scope 3 (other indirect emissions such as supply chain and end‑of‑life). The analysis shows that operators that source renewable electricity can reduce Scope 2 emissions by up to 80 % compared with conventional grids. Renewable energy utilisation is quantified through the proportion of network power drawn from solar, wind or hydro sources, with case studies demonstrating that a 30 % renewable mix is achievable in high‑density urban deployments.

The report also examines the life‑cycle aspects of network equipment. It presents indicators for e‑waste generation, the proportion of recycled or refurbished components in new deployments, and the expected lifetime of key hardware such as base‑station antennas and optical fibre nodes. Recyclability scores are derived from ISO 14040 life‑cycle assessment frameworks, and the document reports that modular designs can increase recoverable material fractions from 40 % to 70 %. Reparability is assessed through the availability of spare parts and the ease of field repairs, with a recommendation that operators adopt a standardised repair protocol to reduce downtime and extend asset life.

In addition to the technical findings, the report situates the results within the broader regulatory landscape. It reviews EU initiatives such as the Energy Efficiency Directive, the Sustainable Finance framework, and the Environmental Footprint Recommendation, and explains how these policies intersect with industry codes of conduct and voluntary sustainability reporting standards like the Global Reporting Initiative. The document also surveys parallel efforts in the United States and China, noting that harmonised standards can accelerate the adoption of green network practices across borders.

Collaboration is a key theme throughout the report. The EU Science Hub worked closely with a consortium of telecommunications operators, research institutions and standardisation bodies, including ETSI Technical Committee EE, ITU, and ISO. Each partner contributed data, expertise and validation of the proposed indicators. The project was funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, with a budget that covered data collection, model development and stakeholder workshops. The timeline spanned from early 2023 to mid‑2025, during which the consortium held quarterly coordination meetings and a final dissemination event in Brussels. The report concludes with a set of actionable recommendations for operators, regulators and policymakers, aimed at accelerating the transition to low‑carbon, highly efficient telecommunications networks.