Data centers and end-user devices are the biggest drivers of global IT emissions combined, but their impacts are poorly understood. As IT becomes increasingly digital, recent analysis indicates that data centers are responsible for 40 percent of overall IT emissions. By comparison, end-user devices account for a shocking 60 percent. This gap demonstrates the urgency for a comprehensive and detailed approach to develop green and sustainable metrics within the transportation sector. Stakeholders are already hard at work trying to address this dilemma. This is particularly true when you consider the emissions associated with both data centers and devices, which are worth examining.
The recent and extreme demand for technology has made things even worse. We estimate that artificial intelligence (AI) workloads alone will consume between 6.7 and 12 percent of all U.S. electricity by 2028. This new reality makes it even more urgent to reduce emissions. Companies such as Google are the tip of the spear in going beyond energy efficiency. Today their data centers run at 1.5 times the efficiency of the current industry average. As impactful as those efforts might be, they’re not nearly enough to counteract the overall impacts of device manufacturing and usage.
The Hidden Carbon Footprint of Devices
While much focus is placed on data centers for their energy use, the emissions attributable to end-user devices is rarely considered. Research by the European Commission shows that the production of just one smartphone emits about 50 kg of CO2e. This figure is shocking enough until you consider the fact that each year about 1 billion smartphones are produced and replaced.
The idea of embodied carbon is fundamental in understanding these emissions. It includes the entire carbon footprint linked to producing and moving devices before they’re ever even used. Embodied carbon makes up an incredible 75 percent of a device’s total emissions. Smartphones and laptops specifically have some of the highest figures. A laptop has an embodied carbon footprint of around 200 kg CO2e. At the same time, smartphones have an average replacement rate of two years, which has a big impact on making emissions “ongoing.”
Additionally, end-user devices internationally produce 1.5 to 2 times the carbon as all data centers in the world put together. This disquieting truth necessitates a new approach to our work. We need to go beyond simply maximizing efficiency in data center operations, but rather rethink the development and lifecycle of devices from manufacturing to disposal.
The Challenges of Data Center and Device Operations
Data centers are often perceived as the primary culprits in IT emissions due to their substantial energy consumption during operations. Second, it’s crucial for policymakers to realize that the operations of data centers exclusively account for just 24 percent of total emissions. This specific measurement is called power usage effectiveness. This metric is just a small piece of the entire environmental footprint caused by the IT industry.
The wider context uncovers a more sobering reality. If those emissions are measured correctly, current metrics only capture 30 percent of the IT industry’s full emissions footprint. Results from programs such as GreenSKUs underscore the importance of conducting thorough, responsible assessments. They demonstrate that generally responsible practices can get you on the order of an 8 percent reduction in embodied carbon.
Realistically, most data center servers have a life of around five years max as they get replaced relatively quickly. This cycle produces more electronic waste and emissions that must be considered within the context of sustainability assessments. Technology is changing quickly. To support the long-term sustainability we all desire, we need to know the lifecycle emissions associated with both data centers and devices.
Strategies for Reducing Emissions
To meaningfully tackle the urgent challenge of emissions at every tier of the IT industry, decision-makers should take comprehensive approaches. Perhaps the largest opportunity to be found is in extending the lifecycle of devices. Research indicates that extending smartphone lifecycles from two to three years can reduce annual manufacturing emissions by an impressive 33 percent. This method goes beyond simply reducing negative environmental effects; instead, it fosters sustainable consumer choices.
Smartphone production emits an estimated 50 million tons of CO2e per year. By prioritizing and ensuring device longevity, we can drive powerful environmental benefits. In addition, raising awareness about recycling programs and designing modular devices to limit waste can bring down emissions from manufacturing as well.
As companies like Google showcase energy-efficient data center practices, it is vital that they champion responsible device manufacturing and consumption habits. We will need increased collaboration between manufacturers, consumers and policymakers to develop a more sustainable landscape for technology.