The internet works using data centres which are huge warehouses around the world that house 1000's of computers. They communicate 24/7 to deliver websites and other cloud based services like storage and VoIP.
Data centres consume a huge amount of electricity to meet the demand of the powerful machines they hold. But not only do they need to be powered, they need to be air-conditioned in a managed environment to prevent overheating.
It is estimated that;
- The average e-mail has a carbon footprint of around 2 grams. 350 billion e-mails were sent in 2022.
- Streaming 1 hour of video emits around 40 grams of CO2. 30 billion hours of video are streamed annually.
- One google search is responsible for around 2 grams of CO2. There were 2.5 trillion google searches in 2022
- The iPhone 12 has a production footprint of 57KG of CO2. 5 million ended up as e-waste in 2022
- The ICT industry is responsible for around 1 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2022
So while date centres transition to renewable sources at the speed of dial-up internet, we set out to eliminate digital carbon footprints with the help of British businesses.
