Last year, the telecom industry reportedly was responsible for about 1% of global energy consumption. That equates to 15 million U.S. homes and matches the carbon dioxide emissions of 29 million cars.

To help energy-conscious operators, Emerson Network Power has developed Energy Logic for Telecommunications, an approach that identifies six strategies for remote sites and six for central offices to reduce energy consumption across the network.

The Columbus, Ohio, company analyzed network inefficiencies and energy-saving opportunities at remote sites and within the central office to come up with the 12 strategies. The key is eliminating inefficiencies along the energy paths at the radio base station and central office, said a company spokesman.

By employing some strategies such as cooling optimization and DC power management, Emerson said operators can reduce consumption by nearly 60% at the base station and 40% at the central office.