The present disclosure relates to embodiments of a method and a network element for real-time adjustment of the energy consumption of a data communications network. The network comprises a number of network elements connected by transport links. User activity status is determined based on status information from user activity monitor. An activity status is determined by aggregating available activity status from activity status reports for each downlink connection and the most recent determined user activity status. The determined activity status is sent in activity status reports upstream, and the performance of associated transport links and internal network element components is adjusted and regulated in accordance with the determined activity status.