Abstract: 

*** Join us for this special Earth Day 2026 event ***

As the global transition toward 5G-Advanced and 6G accelerates, the telecommunications industry faces a dual challenge: meeting the exponential demand for data while drastically reducing the carbon footprint of network infrastructure. In honor of Earth Day, this IEEE Future Networks webinar explores the technical roadmaps and engineering innovations essential to achieving a net-zero digital future.

Drawing from the latest IEEE International Network Generations Roadmap (INGR), this session will dive into the multi-layered approach to environmental responsibility. We will examine how technology needs to move beyond simple power-saving modes toward a holistic “Energy-as-a-Service” model while still meeting the network capacity needs for higher real-time traffic demand.

Key topics may include:

• Architectural Efficiency: Insights on minimizing energy bottlenecks across the RAN, Core, and Edge.
• Intelligence at the Edge: How AI-native networks (6G) are being designed to optimize resource allocation and reduce “dark silicon” waste.
• Sustainable Lifecycle Engineering: Addressing the environmental impact of hardware from silicon manufacturing to circular economy decommissioning.
• The Power of Connectivity: Exploring how future networks act as a “Green Enabler” for other industries, including smart grids and precision agriculture.

Join us as we discuss how the global engineering community is moving from “Greenwashing” to “Green Engineering,” ensuring that the networks of tomorrow leave a lasting, positive impact on our planet.

*This event is being recorded.