Sylvie Willis
The internet has a sizable energy footprint, and fossil fuels are currently the default source of electricity. In 2021, fossil fuels accounted for about two-thirds of global electricity production, and data centres are one of the most energy-intensive buildings, consuming 10 to 50 times the energy per floor space of a typical commercial office building. While some companies claim to use renewable energy, in certain parts of the world, they still rely heavily on fossil fuels. The internet's carbon footprint is comparable to that of the global airline industry, releasing around 300 million tonnes of CO2 annually. Streaming services, such as Netflix and YouTube, contribute significantly to this footprint, with video streaming accounting for a third of the carbon footprint. However, companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint and transition to renewable energy sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Energy consumed by the internet globally | 1.7% of total global energy demand |
| Carbon emissions from the internet | 300 million tonnes of CO2 per year |
| Energy consumed by data centres in the US | 2% of the country's electricity use |
| Energy consumed by data centres globally | 200 terawatt hours |
| Energy consumed by Netflix | 451,000 megawatt hours per year |
| Energy consumed by streaming a 30-minute show on Netflix | 0.018 kgCO2e |
| Energy consumed by data centres for cooling | 40% of their total energy use |
| Energy consumed by Wi-Fi vs mobile networks | Wi-Fi requires less energy |
| Energy consumed by PCs and monitors | 40% of the total ICT energy demand and 0.8% of global CO2 emissions |
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What You'll Learn
Data centres' energy sources
Data centres are one of the most energy-intensive building types, consuming 10 to 50 times the energy per floor space of a typical commercial office building. In 2020, data centres and data transmission networks accounted for around 330 Mt CO2 equivalent, or 0.9% of energy-related GHG emissions. About 56% of the electricity used to power data centres in the US comes from fossil fuels, with the majority of the remaining electricity generated by nuclear plants.
The rise of artificial intelligence and cloud computing has led to a surprising growth in power demand, which is being met in the near term by fossil fuels like natural gas, and even coal, because clean-energy deployments are not keeping pace. In the US, utilities are adding new gas plants and delaying the retirement of fossil-fuel power plants as new data centres plug into the grid.
However, there is a recognition that low-carbon power will become an increasingly important area of investment. Data centre developers have three options to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels: building data centres in places with an abundance of renewable energy, generating renewable power on-site, or making their facilities more energy efficient. Renewable energy sources can provide long-term cost savings compared to traditional power sources, and can also enhance a data centre's public image.
There are already examples of major data centres setting ambitious targets for renewable energy adoption, with some aiming for up to 100% renewable energy use by 2030. Strategies for improving energy efficiency in data centres include virtualization, which allows multiple software environments to run on a single server rack, and server consolidation, which reduces power consumption by combining workloads on fewer servers.
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Energy demand of streaming services
The energy used to power streaming services comes from data centres, which can be powered by fossil fuels, depending on the location. Data centres are one of the most energy-intensive buildings, consuming 10 to 50 times the energy per floor space of a typical commercial office building. Globally, data centres account for just under 200 terawatt-hours, with around 40% of the energy used for cooling. In the US, data centres are responsible for 2% of the country's electricity use.
The energy demand of streaming services is growing, with streaming services contributing to the energy consumption of households. The more devices used to access content, the higher the energy consumption. The type of device used to view videos can also have a large impact. For example, watching on a television uses much more energy than streaming on a laptop or phone. The video quality also affects energy use, with high-definition viewing being about 20 times more energy-intensive than standard definition.
The leading streaming service, Netflix, has over 260 million subscribers worldwide. Netflix's total global energy consumption reached 451,000 megawatt-hours per year, enough to power 37,000 homes. However, Netflix insists that it purchases renewable energy certificates and carbon offsets to compensate for any energy from fossil fuel sources.
The energy consumption of streaming services is difficult to quantify due to the complexity of direct and indirect effects. However, the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that one hour of streaming video in 2019 emitted 36g of CO2, the equivalent of driving 1/8 of a mile in a conventional gas car.
While some companies claim to power their data centres using renewable energy, in some parts of the world, they are still largely powered by fossil fuels. Amazon, a major provider of the computing power needed to run the internet, has committed to using 100% renewable energy across its global infrastructure, aiming to use 100% green electricity by 2025. Google also acquired 100% renewable energy to match its annual electricity consumption in 2017 and 2018.
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Renewable energy certificates
The internet relies on fossil fuels to a significant extent, with data centres using a large amount of energy, some of which comes from fossil fuels. For example, in the US, data centres are responsible for 2% of the country's electricity use, and globally, they account for almost 200 terawatt-hours. Amazon, a major provider of the computing power needed to run the internet, operates servers and provides cloud storage, consuming a vast amount of energy. While Amazon and other companies are taking steps towards sustainability, such as Amazon's aim for 100% green electricity by 2025, the current energy mix includes fossil fuels, impacting the environment through greenhouse gas emissions.
The certification process for RECs involves third-party verification by an independent certified public accountant or internal auditor. RECs are also assigned unique ID numbers for traceability and to prevent double-counting. However, critics argue that the separation of clean energy "attributes" from the energy itself allows double-counting, as certificates can be sold to fossil fuel producers, effectively scrubbing their greenhouse gas emissions from the record.
RECs are supported by governments, regional electricity transmission authorities, NGOs, and trade associations. Texas developed the first comprehensive REC system in the US, and RECs are traded on platforms like the Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System (WREGIS). The value of RECs fluctuates, and sellers are legally obligated to deliver them to customers within a few months of generation. RECs play a crucial role in encouraging the generation of clean energy and supporting the renewable energy market.
While the internet relies on fossil fuels, companies are transitioning to renewable energy sources. For example, Google uses a mix of renewable energy and carbon offsetting, and Microsoft aims to be carbon negative by 2030. Netflix purchases RECs and carbon offsets to compensate for fossil fuel energy use, and Amazon is taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint. These efforts are essential in reducing the carbon footprint of internet usage and transitioning towards more sustainable energy sources.
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Energy efficiency improvements
The Internet currently relies heavily on fossil fuels for its functioning. Data centres, which hold information for websites and provide cloud storage, are one of the most energy-intensive buildings, consuming 10 to 50 times the energy per floor space of a typical commercial office building. In the US, data centres are responsible for 2% of the country's electricity use, while globally they account for just under 200 terawatt-hours.
While many companies claim to power their data centres using renewable energy, in some parts of the world, they are still largely powered by burning fossil fuels. The grid's stability, especially in the US, is ensured by fossil-fuelled power generation, which accounted for 62.7% of total US utility-scale electricity generation. Similarly, data centres in China are mostly powered by coal.
To reduce the Internet's reliance on fossil fuels, energy efficiency improvements are crucial. Energy efficiency involves using less energy for the same output or producing more with the same energy input, minimising energy waste. Here are some ways in which energy efficiency improvements can be made:
- Improving the energy efficiency of appliances, buildings, and infrastructure: Energy-efficient buildings and appliances require less electricity, putting less strain on the power grid and making it more resilient and less prone to power disruptions. This also creates jobs, with over 2.1 million Americans employed in energy efficiency as of 2022.
- Integrating renewable energy sources: Efficient buildings and infrastructure are better suited for integrating renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels in the long term, creating a positive feedback loop that allows more buildings to run on renewable energy.
- Optimising data centres: Currently, 40% of the energy used by data centres is for cooling. By improving the energy efficiency of data centres and transitioning to renewable energy sources, the Internet's reliance on fossil fuels can be significantly reduced.
- Investing in renewable energy: While the upfront cost can be high, investing in renewable energy technologies like wind and solar power can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Every dollar invested in renewables creates three times more jobs than in the fossil fuel industry. Additionally, the reduction of pollution and climate impacts could save up to $4.2 trillion per year by 2030.
In conclusion, while the Internet currently relies heavily on fossil fuels, energy efficiency improvements, along with investments in renewable energy sources, can significantly reduce this reliance. Energy efficiency is a cost-effective and readily available solution that not only reduces emissions but also improves energy security and creates jobs.
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Fossil fuel dependency
The internet has a sizable energy footprint, and fossil fuels are currently the default source of electricity. In 2021, the world still relied on fossil fuels for about two-thirds of its electricity. While many companies claim to power their data centres using renewable energy, in some parts of the world, they are still largely powered by burning fossil fuels. For instance, data centres in China are mostly powered by coal. Similarly, the grid's stability, especially in the US, is ensured by fossil-fuelled power generation, which accounted for 62.7% of total US utility-scale electricity generation.
The internet accounts for approximately 1.7% of total global energy demand. Data centres are one of the most energy-intensive buildings, using 10 to 50 times the energy per floor space of a typical commercial office building. Globally, data centres account for just under 200 terawatt-hours, with US data centres responsible for 2% of the country's electricity use.
The carbon footprint of the internet is approximately 300 million tonnes of CO2 per year, similar to the emissions released by the global airline industry. This figure has flatlined in recent years, despite rising internet traffic, due to improved energy efficiency and the centralisation of data centres.
However, there is a growing movement towards renewable energy sources. Google, for example, has acquired 100% renewable energy to match its annual electricity consumption since 2017. Amazon is committed to using 100% renewable energy across its global infrastructure, aiming for net-zero carbon by 2040. Microsoft has promised to become carbon negative by 2030. These efforts are crucial in reducing the internet's dependency on fossil fuels and mitigating its environmental impact.
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Frequently asked questions
The internet accounts for approximately 1.7% of total global energy demand. In the US, data centres are responsible for 2% of the country's electricity use, while globally they account for just under 200 terawatt hours.
The internet has a sizable energy footprint, and fossil fuels are currently the default source of electricity. In 2021, we relied on fossil fuels for about two-thirds of our electricity. However, many companies are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint and transition to renewable energy sources.
Google acquired 100% renewable energy to match its annual electricity consumption for global operations in 2017 and 2018. Amazon is committed to using 100% renewable energy across its global infrastructure and aims to reach net-zero carbon by 2040. Microsoft has promised to become carbon negative by 2030.
Individuals can reduce their carbon footprint by limiting their time spent on energy-intensive activities such as streaming and downloading videos and music. They can also support companies that are committed to using renewable energy and advocate for a fossil-free internet by 2030.
