In 2023, the digital sector was responsible for 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, as reported by the French expert group GreenIT on February 4. The organization’s analysis indicates that the carbon footprint of digital technology per user is comparable to driving approximately 3,500 kilometers, which accounts for 40% of the annual carbon budget that individuals should adhere to in order to limit global warming to below +1.5 degrees Celsius, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. Unfortunately, the study’s revised methodology prevents a direct comparison with the emissions data from its 2019 report.
The greenhouse gas emissions are categorized into two main segments. Less than half of the emissions originate from telecommunications networks and data centers, which were included in the assessment. Notably, by 2023, 4% of the emissions attributed to digital technology stemmed from servers utilized for artificial intelligence.
The second significant source of emissions arises from the electronic devices used by both individuals and professionals. While the production of these devices accounts for approximately 15% of total emissions, their usage is the primary contributor, representing nearly 40% of the overall impact of digital technology. This statistic should be interpreted cautiously by users in France, as it does not reflect the country’s specific carbon footprint. The electricity consumption associated with these devices is a key factor, but in France, “electricity production generates around eight times less greenhouse gases than the global average,” according to Lorraine de Montenay, co-chair of GreenIT’s studies, in an interview with Le Monde.
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