Data centers and electronic devices are the backbone of the information technology sector. They’re having deep repercussions on the environment. A new analysis from NHTSA reveals that we’ve been wildly undercounting the real scale of this impact. While awareness has grown, about 70% of the issue is still undiscovered. The IT industry is facing increasing scrutiny on its sustainability efforts. Experts have long been advocating for a more holistic approach to adequately and accurately measure environmental harms.
Current assessments suggest that data center operations are responsible for only 24% of the total emissions associated with the IT sector. The rest comes from the production and use of devices themselves—from smartphones to laptops. This inequity is unacceptable and requires urgent corrective action. Instead of only tracking data center emissions, we need to account for the embodied carbon of devices too.
The Hidden Costs of Device Manufacturing
According to research done by the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GESI), embodied carbon from devices makes up a mind-blowing 45% of total emissions in the IT sector. This figure highlights the environmental cost from the production of electronic devices, a cost typically excluded in life cycle assessments. The bulk of these emissions come from the production of the devices themselves—manufacturing a single smartphone emits nearly 50 kg CO2e. In comparison, the impact of manufacturing a single laptop is much greater, accounting for nearly 200 kilograms of CO2e.
These figures become more shocking still when put in the context of the global production rate. Meanwhile, nearly 1 billion smartphones are replaced annually. The mass production of these resources generates at least an additional 50 million tonnes of CO2e emissions. These emissions are 1.5 to 2 times greater than what all data centers emit in total. This calls to the forefront the new reality and immediate need for a paradigm shift in how we measure and report on these real impacts.
Further, device operation makes up another 15% of total emissions. This number accounts for the future operational energy use to power devices over their lifespan. As users increasingly rely on smartphones and laptops, it becomes crucial to recognize that the environmental costs extend far beyond initial manufacturing.
The Role of Data Centers in Sustainability
Data centers have recently come under significant criticism for their energy usage and carbon emissions. According to the latest projections, they are likely to make up as much as 12% of overall electricity use in the U.S. by 2028. At the same time, on the industry side, advancements in technology and innovative practices have increased operational efficiency. For instance, companies like Google have reported that their data centers are 1.5 times more energy-efficient than the industry average.
… The data center industry vigilantly follows power usage effectiveness. It uses water with a precision that ensures its overall environmental footprint remains low. Focusing just on data center operations misses almost half of the picture. By only focusing on one segment of the IT ecosystem, stakeholders can miss significant opportunities. These are missed opportunities that unambiguously reduce emissions associated with device production and use.
A Call for Comprehensive Measurement
To truly understand and address the environmental impact of the IT sector, experts advocate for a more comprehensive measurement framework that encompasses all facets of emissions. This current approach, which focuses solely on data center statistics, misses the larger context of the sector’s carbon footprint.
One area where we see room for improvement is in the extension of smartphone lifetimes from two years to three years. Manufacturing examples and emission reductions Such a change could lower annual manufacturing emissions by an impressive 33%. This approach highlights a key opportunity for both consumers and manufacturers to embrace sustainable practices, ultimately lessening the overall environmental burden.
Focusing specifically on embodied carbon is key to getting a clearer picture of emissions across the IT sector. Surprisingly, three-quarters of total device emissions occur during the manufacturing stage. This represents a growing reality that operational efficiencies gained in data centers alone won’t suffice to achieve meaningful sustainability targets.