Modelling lifecycle carbon emissions of broadband access systems

Abstract

Broadband access systems use electricity generated by power plants of which a proportion burn fossil fuels and release carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. In Europe, the Code of Conduct for Broadband Access Devices provides voluntary targets for the maximum in-use power consumption of a range of access devices with a view to making year-on-year reductions as the technologies mature. Less is known about the CO2 released into the atmosphere during the embodiment of the devices and their lifecycle emissions. The aim of this paper present results of lifecycle modelling work carried in the EU 7th Framework Programme `BATS' project (Broadband Access via integrated Terrestrial and Satellite systems). Results showed that the emissions resulting from the in-use electricity (largely from fossil fuelled power plants) dominated the GHG emissions for all broadband access technologies and was of the order of 99.9% of total emissions.