Literature Review and Policy Principles for Streaming and Digital Media Carbon Footprinting

We understand that the energy consumption of data centres and networks currently represents about 2-3% of global electricity consumption, driving 0.6% of total GHG emissions.

Because most digital sector use-phase emissions come from the electricity usage of data transmission and consumption (embodied emissions, whilst still important, are lower), we can reduce ICT emissions by 80% through the usage of renewable electricity.

End-user devices represent the majority of streaming related use-phase emissions, so the greatest carbon footprint reduction will come from renewable energy usage within consumers’ homes.

Streaming has a relatively small energy and carbon impact as an entertainment activity, especially compared to other daily activities; one hour of video streaming (use-phase) emits about as much as microwaving four bags of popcorn, or three boils of an electric kettle in the UK

one hour of video streaming emits less carbon than driving a petrol car 300 metres, i.e. approximately 23 seconds of driving on a residential street

The Carbon Trust white paper showed conclusively that the emissions for internet use like streaming are concentrated in the consumer use phase (i.e., devices and other on-premise peripherals) but companies representing all phases of the internet value chain are working to optimise and decarbonize where possible.

the conservative European average emissions attributable to video streaming are 55 gCO2e per device hour