Digital technologies are a key element in decarbonization, but they also have a negative environmental impact. Green computing, also known as Green IT, promotes technologies that help reduce harmful emissions.
Digitization is part of our daily lives in almost everything. We shop online, check our bank transactions online, read the news online, study online... Technological advancements and hyperconnectivity have changed the way we interact with others... and with the planet.
New technologies have enormous potential to mitigate climate change. Access to countless goods and services through the Internet lets us avoid trips that generate harmful emissions: for example, completing an online master's program produces less CO2 than commuting to a university every day for in-person classes. According to the World Economic Forum, the digital transformation can reduce global emissions by 15%.
However, this positive impact of digitization on the environment has a downside. The data centers, servers, and the information transmission networks required for online services also contribute their own emissions, water consumption, electronic waste, etc. In 2020, they generated 330 million tons of CO2, according to the International Energy Agency. This accounts for 0.9% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and 0.6% of the total. To achieve a net-zero emissions scenario, these emissions would need to be cut in half by 2030.
In addition, the manufacture of mobile phones, computers and other electronic devices also consumes resources and generates pollution and waste.
Technologies that limit its negative environmental impact
In an effort to reduce the environmental impact, the concept of green computing has emerged. This involves designing, manufacturing, and using technologies that are environmentally friendly, and includes reducing emissions and energy consumption by technology manufacturers, data centers and end users.
According to IBM's Institute for Business Value, 62% of consumers are willing to change their habits if it helps reduce the negative environmental impact, 59% of private investors consider sustainability as a criterion when buying and selling company shares, and 39% of CEOs believe that environmental factors will impact their organizations.
Some of the actions that many companies are implementing in terms of green computing involve energy use. They are installing solar panels and wind turbines to generate clean energy that they can self-consume in order to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. Additionally, innovations are being applied to reduce the energy demand of devices.
Another common strategy is server virtualization, which reduces reliance on physical servers, thereby lowering energy consumption. Electronic waste recycling also plays a significant role in mitigating the environmental impact of devices at the end of their lifecycle.
Solutions in the hands of consumers
Consumers can also get involved in green computing. They do so when, while purchasing a device, they choose one with low energy consumption. Or when they prioritize buying products or using services from companies that focus on sustainability over more polluting competitors.
They can also implement technologies—such as motion sensors or timers for turning devices on and off—that help reduce consumption. Or, like companies, they can properly recycle electronic devices once they reach the end of their useful life.
Emerging technologies, such as quantum computing, are another key player in accelerating compliance with climate goals by enabling process optimization and improving efficiency. In the context of a climate crisis, sustainability is unavoidable.
