Myth: “Digital Communication Is Better For The Environment Compared To Paper”

“Go Paperless”, “Go Green” and “Save Trees” are common messages as many organisations encourage their customers to switch to electronic transactions and communications. But are these appeals based on fact?

These sort of messages give the impression that electronic communication is more environmentally friendly than paper-based communication. But it is very difficult to make such statements without considering the full lifetime of those different mediums.

Businesses and individuals are increasingly using ‘cloud’ services. These mega data centres store almost everything we do online, including our web searches, our social media posts and our online statements.

Data centres are becoming increasingly significant consumers of electricity worldwide. Although large-scale data centres are relatively new in the global energy system, their electricity consumption is already estimated at around 415 terawatt hours (TWh), approximately 1.5% of global electricity demand in 2024, and has grown by around 12% annually over the past five years.¹ The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating this trend, driving the deployment of high-performance accelerated servers that require greater computing power and create higher power density within data centres.

Data centre electricity consumption is expected to grow significantly in a small number of major economies. China and the United States together are projected to account for nearly 80% of global growth in data-centre electricity consumption by 2030. In the United States, consumption is forecast to increase by around 240 TWh (130%) compared with 2024 levels, while China is expected to see an increase of approximately
175 TWh (170%). In Europe, electricity consumption from data centres is projected to grow by more than 45 TWh (70%), while Japan is expected to experience growth of around 15 TWh (80%).¹

The electronic waste problem is also colossal and growing. In 2022, the industry was responsible for a record breaking 62 million metric tonnes (Mt) of e-waste across the world. That’s equivalent to the weight of 620 cruise ships (based on a typical new, large cruise ship weighing around 100,000 metric tons). E-waste is expected to increase to 82 Mt by 2030 unless we change our practices.²

In 2022, just 22.3% of global e-waste was
collected for recycling (42.8% in Europe).² Recycling activities are not keeping pace
with the global growth of e-waste. Non-environmentally sound disposal and treatment of this waste stream poses significant risks to the environment and to human health.

Raw materials from digital equipment, servers and power generators are often finite, precious and non-renewable, as well as being
notoriously difficult to recycle.

But it is all too common for the impacts of digital to be forgotten. Research conducted by Two Sides³ found that 56% of European consumers believe electronic communications are better
for the environment than paper-based
communications.