2 de set. 2024
15 de jul. 2024
DIGITAL ECONOMY REPORT 2024
The Digital Economy Report 2024 underscores the urgent need for environmentally sustainable and inclusive digitalization strategies.
Digital technology and infrastructure depend heavily on raw materials, and the production and disposal of more and more devices, along with growing water and energy needs are taking an increasing toll on the planet.
For example, the production and use of digital devices, data centres and information and communications technology (ICT) networks account for an estimated 6% to 12% of global electricity use.
Developing countries bear the brunt of the environmental costs of digitalization while reaping fewer benefits. They export low value-added raw materials and import high value-added devices, along with increasing digital waste. Geopolitical tensions over critical minerals, abundant in many of these countries, complicate the challenges.
The report calls for bold action from policymakers, industry leaders and consumers. It urges a global shift towards a circular digital economy, focusing on circularity by design through durable products, responsible consumption, reuse and recycling, and sustainable business models.
AI brings soaring emissions for Google and Microsoft, a major contributor to climate change
“One query to ChatGPT uses approximately as much electricity as could light one light bulb for about 20 minutes,” he says. “So, you can imagine with millions of people using something like that every day, that adds up to a really large amount of electricity.”
Electricity 2024 . Analysis and forecast to 2026
The International Energy Agency estimates that data centres’ total electricity consumption could double from 2022 levels to 1,000TWh (terawatt hours) in 2026, approximately Japan’s level of electricity demand. AI will result in data centres using 4.5% of global energy generation by 2030, according to calculations by research firm SemiAnalysis.
Electricity consumption from data centres, artificial intelligence (AI) and the
cryptocurrency sector could double by 2026. Data centres are significant
drivers of growth in electricity demand in many regions. After globally consuming
an estimated 460 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2022, data centres’ total electricity
consumption could reach more than 1 000 TWh in 2026. This demand is roughly
equivalent to the electricity consumption of Japan. Updated regulations and
technological improvements, including on efficiency, will be crucial to moderate
the surge in energy consumption from data centres.
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