Fifth generation (5G) technology could create a more sustainable food and drink supply chain, saving around 37 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions between 2024 and 2035 if applied throughout the entire chain.
The figures come from Vodafone’s new modelling which shows 5G technologies such as drones and sensors could allow farmers to effectively monitor weather, soil and crop conditions. And reduce food waste on farms.
Elsewhere on the supply chain, 5G technology could reduce CO2 emissions in manufacturing by 11% by 2035 and reduce electricity usage and extend shelf life of prepared food.
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When transporting goods by road, implementing 5G technologies could improve the fuel efficiency of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) in the commercial distribution of food and drink, reducing emissions by up to 54 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Outside of the food industry, 5G technologies could also help to generate enough clean energy to heat 2.4 million homes.
Vodafone chief network officer Andrea Dona said: “Making the switch to renewable energy is fundamental in the UK’s net zero journey and I’m excited about the role 5G Standalone (SA) can play in accelerating this transition.
“5G SA is critical in making renewable energy outputs more reliable, efficient and boosting capacity. This makes the need for a faster 5G rollout even more important.”
