March 13, 2008 - China Mobile, the world's largest mobile phone operator, is targeting a significant boost in energy efficiency "per unit of telecommunications traffic," meaning that it will cut energy use even as its business continues to grow. The plan, outlined in the company's 2007 corporate social responsibility report, calls for a 40% increase in energy efficiency from 2005 levels by 2010.

China Mobile says it will achieve this goal by boosting efficiency of energy-hungry computer networking and cooling equipment at its base stations, which account for 70% of the company's total energy use. Base station datacenter upgrades include installing ventilation units at server level to optimize cooling.

In addition, China Mobile will power remote base stations with renewable energy sources. For example, the company's 202 base stations in Inner Mongolia will take advantage of the region's plentiful sun and high winds to generate electricity on-site.

To read China Mobile's 2007 corporate social responsibility report, click here (PDF).