“Digital CO₂ Footprint” or “Digital Carbon Footprint”, is the emissions, occurring from the production, use and data transfer of digital devices it causes more CO₂ emissions than one might expect.

1. “NEGATIVE EMISSIONS
AND
CLIMATE CHANGE:
SUSTAINABLE WAY FORWARD”
Title of Paper –
“Digital Carbon Footprints and Remedies to Reduce”
Author – Pranjal Chaturvedi
Co – Author – Aishwarya
Author and Co- Author, both are
Law Students, pursuing B.A.LL.B

2.  When we think of how technology is causing
environmental damages, we often focus on physical
things like using a computer or making a call, instead of its
rather ‘invisible’ counterpart - the internet.
 Are We Aware That We Are Indirectly Responsible For
Damaging The Environment Each Time We Send An
Email, Each Time We Post A Tweet, Or Each Time We
Decide To Watch An Episode On Netflix, Prime or
HotStar …………..?

3.  “Digital CO₂ Footprint” or “Digital Carbon Footprint”, is the
emissions, occurring from the production, use and data transfer of digital
devices it causes more CO₂ emissions than one might expect.
 The digital transformation has brought many benefits that also have a
positive impact on the fight against climate change and reduce CO₂
emissions, but the adversities which are supposed to be caused due to
Digital Transformation can’t be completely ignored.

4.  The transmission of data via the internet can be very
polluting, Contributing To 4% Of Our Greenhouse Gas
Emissions. This is because it is a process that requires
millions of physical servers in data centers around the
world, all taking a lot of energy to run. Unfortunately,
much of that energy comes from power sources that emit
carbon dioxide into the air.
 So every time we use the internet or social media, a small
amount of carbon is being emitted. While one single
person’s usage only generates a small amount of carbon
dioxide, the collective amount of carbon emissions of the
world’s digital usage is monstrous - and worrying

5.  Companies have coined terms like ‘THE CLOUD’ to
make everyday technology seem like it is simply a
weightless formation storing our data. This allows us to
easily ignore the material consequences and be guilt free
when using the Internet.
 With technology becoming more and more intertwined
with our daily lives, we wanted to generate awareness on
how our digital lives can affect the planet.

6.  Though ‘carbon footprint’ and ‘carbon emissions’ are
frequently being used, there is a lack of understanding as
to what these numbers actually mean.
 In just a minute, 150,000,000 E-Mails are being sent,
releasing a staggering 600,000 kg of carbon dioxide. That
is almost as if we are burning 232,258 kg every 60
seconds.

8.  Our digital carbon footprint is greatly influenced by
the NUMBER OF DEVICES WE HAVE and how long
we use them for, as well as where we live and use them.
The carbon emissions stemming from electricity usage
are dependent on how the electricity is produced in
your country (I.E. HYDROPOWER, NUCLEAR,
FOSSILS, WIND AND SOLAR). Hence, the digital
carbon footprint of Eco – Friendly electricity
producing country would be less.
REMEDY TO REDUCE OUR DIGITAL CARBON FOOTPRINT?

9.  Renewable Energy Source
 Smart App Controls, - ie. Vi Care App.
 Streaming Videos in Low Quality when High Quality is not
direly required.
 Preferring Just Audio Songs instead of Videos for listening
Music.
 Using technology in moderation – Switch off the device
when not in use.
 Educate Masses about Carbon Emission from use of Digital
Devises.

10.  According to an estimate, 4.1 billion people worldwide have
access to the Internet in the year 2019, and ever-growing
demand giver rise to the global demand for energy
resulting, increase in emission of CO2, it is tough to exactly
estimate and calculate how large global carbons emissions
are due to use, production and data transfer of digital
devices but various studies indicate it to be around 2.3% –
3.7% of global CO2 emission. It is not that Digital Carbon
Footprints cannot be reduced, what it just requires is a
small change in the habits of an individual, which reduces
unnecessary data traffic, and a change in habits at the
micro-level will make a good impact at the macro level.