TikTok's Carbon Footprint Raises Concerns About Digital Sustainability

TikTok, the globally popular short-video platform, has come under scrutiny for its substantial carbon footprint. A study by Greenly estimates that TikTok’s annual emissions could surpass 50 million metric tonnes of CO2e, nearly matching Greece's annual emissions of 51.67 million metric tonnes in 2023. This revelation highlights the environmental toll of the platform’s energy-intensive video streaming infrastructure, which relies heavily on data centers powered by carbon-intensive electricity sources like coal and gas.

The study revealed that TikTok users in the US, UK, and France alone generated about 7.6 million metric tonnes of CO2e in 2023. With these regions representing just 15% of TikTok’s global user base, the platform’s overall emissions are likely much higher. On average, a TikTok user contributes emissions equivalent to driving an extra 198 kilometers annually in a gasoline-powered car.

TikTok’s environmental impact has been linked to its addictive nature, with users spending an average of 45.8 minutes daily on the app. Each minute on TikTok emits approximately 2.921 grams of CO2e, a figure comparable to other platforms like YouTube and Instagram. Alexis Normand, CEO of Greenly, emphasized that TikTok’s algorithm encourages mass video consumption, which increases the individual carbon footprint of its users.

In response, TikTok has refuted the study’s findings. A ByteDance spokesperson stated that their total carbon emissions in 2023, covering all operations, were less than 20% of Greenly’s estimates. Despite this, the study underscores the urgent need for social media platforms to adopt greener technologies and policies to mitigate their environmental impact.

This report serves as a reminder of the hidden environmental costs of our digital actions, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices in the tech industry.

Refrence From: www.ndtv.com