Amazon, Google, Microsoft
Report says Amazon, Google, Microsoft emitted more carbon than Bitcoin mining since 2019
Major tech companies, including Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are said to have emitted more carbon than Bitcoin mining activities since 2019.
A report stated, highlighting the significant environmental impact of the tech industry compared to the often-criticized cryptocurrency mining sector.
Specifically, in 2021, Amazon’s carbon emissions reached 71.54 million metric tons, surpassing Bitcoin’s estimated 65.4 million metric tons for the same year.
The report stated that combined with Google’s 14.3 million tons and Microsoft’s 15.3 million tons emitted in 2023, the total annual emissions from these tech giants exceed 100 million tons.
The high emissions are said go be primarily due to the energy demands of expansive data centres and global logistics networks.
Indeed, data centres require substantial energy for both operation and cooling, while logistics rely heavily on fossil fuels for transportation.
Indications are that as the demand for digital services grows, the environmental footprint of these companies also increase.
Bitcoin mining, known for its high energy consumption, used about 173.42 terawatt hours of electricity between 2020 and 2021.
The carbon emissions from Bitcoin mining are roughly equivalent to those of a small country, such as Greece, with an annual output of about 65.4 megatonnes of CO2.
Despite its decentralized nature, Bitcoin’s environmental impact is significant.
In context of the current global climate goals, critics argue that the substantial energy use and emissions challenge the value proposition of Bitcoin.
The comparison between Big Tech and Bitcoin mining highlights the broader environmental challenges posed by digital technologies.
While tech companies are at the forefront of innovations like AI and cloud computing, their substantial carbon footprints highlight a gap between technological advancement and environmental responsibility.
Efforts to standardize emission reporting across industries are essential for accurate comparisons and effective management.
Enhanced transparency and accountability can drive sustainable practices and legislative frameworks to mitigate environmental impacts
