Open Letter “Towards sustainable 6G: A collaborative call to action for addressing environmental challenges in (and thanks to) future mobile networks”
OPEN LETTER
Towards Sustainable 6G: A Collaborative Call to Action for addressing environmental challenges in (and thanks to) future mobile networks
As mobile networks advance toward 6G, the environmental impact of increasing energy consumption and resource use presents a critical challenge. Recognizing this, seven EU-funded projects—CENTRIC, 6G4Society, BeGREEN, COALESCE, IN2CCAM, 6Green, and 6G-TWIN—have come together to issue an open letter titled: “Towards Sustainable 6G: A Collaborative Call to Action for Addressing Environmental Challenges in (and Thanks to) Future Mobile Networks.“
The letter emerges from insights shared at the “Towards Sustainable 6G” workshop, where these projects highlighted innovative approaches for integrating sustainability into the core of 6G design.
Download it here
Their strategies focus on:
- Sustainable infrastructure design to reduce resource use.
- AI-driven optimization to improve network efficiency while managing the energy footprint of AI itself.
- Renewable energy integration to power next-generation communication systems.
From a Workshop to an Initiative
This initiative is the result of insights shared at the “Towards Sustainable 6G” workshop, where seven EU-funded projects showcased groundbreaking innovations.
This workshop explored the connection between sustainability and 6G mobile networks, focusing on integrating environmental considerations into the design, deployment, and operation of future wireless communication systems. It convened EU-funded collaborative projects to develop energy-efficient network architectures, renewable energy integration, life cycle assessments, eco-friendly materials, and policy frameworks. The goal was to catalyze advancements towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible era of wireless communication, promoting innovative approaches, green technologies, and holistic strategies for minimizing the ecological footprint of 6G networks.
Contributing Projects: 6G-TWIN, BeGREEN, COALESCE, CENTRIC, 6Green, Zero-Swarm, 6G4Society and IN2CCAM
9 speakers
- Sébastien Faye – 6G Technology and Innovation Line Manager from Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)
- Régis Decorme – Managing Partner fromR2M Solution France
- Simon Pryor – Research & Innovation at Accelleran
- Indrakshi Dey – Researcher & Lecturer from Walton Institute for Information and Communications Systems Science
- Francesco Malandrino – Senior Researcher from CNR-ITAE
- Chiara Lombardo – Doctorate from CNIT & University of Genoa
- Pouria Sayyad Khodashenas – Principal Researcher from Huawei
- Monique Calisti – CEO from Martel Innovate
- Maria Pia Fanti – Full professor from Polytechnic University of Bari
A Joint Commitment to Green Telecommunications
The joint statement emphasizes that sustainability in 6G is not optional—it’s essential. Addressing environmental challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, including network optimization, human-centric design, and efficient AI/ML processes. Integrating renewable energy and optimizing microgrids alongside communication networks are critical steps in achieving ecological resilience.
The projects involved are committed to advancing this collaborative effort. Insights from the workshop will be the foundation for follow-up activities that continue driving innovation toward a greener future for telecommunications.
Our joint statement underscores the critical need to ensure sustainability is not an afterthought but a cornerstone of 6G design.
Through cross-disciplinary collaboration and forward-thinking approaches, we aim to reduce the ecological footprint of future mobile networks while harnessing their potential to support global environmental goals.
A Call to Action
The future of digital connectivity must align with societal and environmental priorities. The “Towards Sustainable 6G” workshop has set a foundation for collaboration across research, policy, and industry to embed sustainability as a fundamental design principle for next-generation mobile networks.
We invite all stakeholders to join us in this mission. Together, we can ensure that 6G not only connects the world but does so responsibly, supporting a sustainable future for all.
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