Beyond the obvious cryptocurrency surge, the global information and communications technologies (ICT) sector releases greenhouse gases on par with the aviation industry. The ICT sector plays a crucial role in driving economic growth, enabling digital transformation, fostering innovation, and facilitating global collaboration and connectivity. However, these advantages come with a price: In 2020, the ICT sector accounted for approximately 1.8 to 2.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If the current trend continues and the emission intensity of electricity remains constant, the ICT sector alone would contribute 830 MT of CO2 emissions by 2030. It’s worth noting that this projection does not consider the cryptocurrency boom, exemplified by Bitcoin and Ethereum, which consume an annual electricity equivalent to Australia’s total consumption, reaching 240 terawatt-hours.
Learn more here: https://www.allianz.com/en/economic_research/publications/specials_fmo/decarbonizing-information-technologies.html
