The energy used in our digital consumption collectively emits the equivalent amount of carbon as the entire airline industry. These emissions are expected to double by 2025.
Watching online videos accounts for the biggest chunk of the world's internet traffic – 60% – and generates 300m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, which is roughly 1% of global emissions, according to French think tank, The Shift Project. This is because, as well as the power used by devices, energy is consumed by the servers and networks that distribute the content and advertising.
There needs to be change within the digital advertising industry to ensure that carbon emissions can be reduced. We can’t sit back and wait for the internet to become Net Zero - it’s todays emissions that cause tomorrow’s climate change. We all need to take full responsibility for our digital carbon footprint in media planning today.
