TRAI recommends 40% reduction in carbon emission by 2022-23 for sustainable telecommunications

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended 40% reduction in carbon emissions in telecom networks by 2022-23 considering 2011-12 as the base year in order to make telecom sector greener.
It was mentioned in TRAI’s recommendation to Department of Telecom (DoT) on approach towards sustainable telecommunications.

Key Facts

The target for reduction in carbon emission will be set as 30% by year 2019-20 taking base year as 2011-12 and 40% by year 2022-23. The targets will be reviewed in year 2022-23. TRAI has set target of 5% by year 2012-2013, 8% by 2014-2015, 12% by 2016-2017 and 17% by 2018-2019 for carbon emission reduction.
TRAI has suggested government to pass all benefits granted under various schemes for using renewable energy technologies (RET) to operators in order to encourage them to adopt clean energy alternatives. Further, it has recommended telecom operators to voluntarily adopt RET solutions, energy efficient equipments and high capacity fast charging storage solutions in order to meet target for reduction of carbon footprint.
TRAI also has suggested that electricity generated by RET solutions funded or maintained by telecom operators should be subtracted from overall carbon emission of company, irrespective of its use. Furthermore, if DoT adopts recommendations, it should allow service providers to adopt a Voluntary Code of Practice encompassing energy efficient network planning, deployment of energy efficient technologies, infra-sharing and adoption of RET.
If these recommendations are implemented by DoT, report of carbon footprint of telecom operators must submitted annually within 45 days after March of every year. The first report of carbon footprint for base year 2011-12 as per revised formula will be submitted within 3 months from date of issuance of instructions by DoT.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

TRAI is an independent regulator of telecommunications business in India. It came into existence by Act of the Parliament in 1997. Its mandate is to deliver a fair and transparent environment for fair competition in telecom market. TRAI also fixes or revises the tariffs for telecom services in India.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2017