Which is why recent calls for greater environmental sustainability have trained a new spotlight on data centers. This is in part because of the massive energy use and carbon outputs of these centers. Google now claims its data centers are 1.5 times more energy efficient than the industry average. This result emphasizes an important gap in sustainability metrics. The bigger picture is that data centers make up just 14% of total IT emissions. In reality, devices account for nearly triple that share. This article explores these dynamics. Second, it underscores the importance of looking further into emissions from both data centers and end-user devices.
According to a 2021 Climate Connect report, data centers represent about 40 percent of aggregate IT emissions, with the other 60 percent coming from devices. The interest in artificial intelligence (AI) is at an all-time high. By 2028, AI workloads are estimated to require up to 12 percent of all U.S. electricity, further straining our energy supply. These figures raise urgent questions about how the tech industry accounts for and addresses its environmental footprint.
The Emission Landscape
The environmental footprint of end-user devices, including smartphones, laptops and tablets, is particularly high. Collectively around the globe, these devices produce 1.5 to 2 times all of the carbon emitted by every data center in the world. This alarming reality invites further scrutiny on the way that emissions are accounted for and reported on within the IT sector. Device manufacturing produces a significant amount of embodied carbon—about 75 percent of device emissions happen during this. In comparison, producing just one smartphone is responsible for around 50 kg of CO2 equivalent (CO2e). Producing a laptop generates about 200 kg of CO2e.
Data center embodied carbon makes up 16 percent of overall emissions. An outrageous 45 percent comes from devices. This underscores the importance of looking beyond operational efficiency when assessing sustainability. As per power usage efficiency, only 24 percent of emissions are attributed to data centers operations. This realization goes to prove that these metrics only capture a small fraction of the whole picture.
The measurement frameworks we have are inadequate and incomplete, covering only 30 percent of total emissions from the IT sector. Such a failure underscores that as much as 70 percent of the IT sector’s environmental footprint is currently unaccounted for. The launch of GreenSKUs is one endeavor to address this gap. They demonstrate that through more sustainable practices, reductions in embodied carbon of up to 8 percent are possible.
The Lifecycle of Devices
Now, the lifecycle of end-user devices is central to their overall environmental footprint. This means data center servers are typically considered for replacement on a five-year cycle. In contrast, consumer devices can have lifecycles as short as 6 months. This is compounded by the rapid turnover of devices, which plays a major role in their embodied carbon emissions.
Extending the lifecycle of smartphones from two years to three could reduce annual manufacturing emissions by an impressive 33 percent. This easy fix has a big environmental impact. It helps to nudge consumers into being more aware of the environmental impact of their spending. It brings to light how long they do or do not keep their devices and what this means for their overall emissions.
The device production process is incredibly resource-intensive, adding another layer of complication to sustainability narrative. As technology progresses, manufacturers are pressured to crank out devices with ever-greater performance without the due consideration of the long-term environmental impact.
Future Directions and Commitments
In response to these hurdles, industry titans are stepping up to the plate with meaningful commitments to sustainable practices. Microsoft has committed tens of billions to nuclear power projects to help sustain AI workloads by 2025. This investment reflects an understanding that sustainable energy sources are essential for managing the anticipated growth in electricity consumption from AI applications.
Private sector players such as Google are already raising the bar with their energy efficient data centers. Sustainability is a priority, but the industry needs to unite now to reassess sustainability metrics. In order to develop an inclusive and accurate picture of IT-related emissions, we need a broader perspective. This shift should prioritize operational efficiency in addition to reducing embodied carbon.
These advances are largely in energy efficiency. Specifically, improvements in energy productivity across data centers. Stakeholders need to be aware of the bigger picture about the way and what devices created and occupying digital space. By measuring and managing both sides of the equation, data centers and end-user devices, companies can better navigate their journey toward sustainability.
