• Digital technologies are widely viewed as drivers of efficiency, growth, and innovation. • However, their contribution to climate change is significantly greater than previously understood. • A new study published in the journal Communications Sustainability shows that digital industries were responsible for about 4.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2021. • The bulk of these emissions were not captured by existing emissions accounting standards or official climate assessments.
Article Summaries:
- A recent study published in Communications Sustainability finds that digital industries-often praised for boosting efficiency and innovation-contributed roughly 4.1 % of global greenhouse‑gas emissions in 2021. The research highlights that most of these emissions were omitted from current accounting frameworks and official climate assessments, indicating a significant hidden climate footprint. The findings suggest that existing emissions inventories may underestimate the environmental impact of the digital sector, underscoring the need for more comprehensive reporting and mitigation strategies within this rapidly expanding industry.
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