___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sustainability
However , this growth has a carbon cost that has remained invisible to most of us . It is now estimated that the information and communication technology ( ICT ) sector accounts for four-to-six percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and by 2030 , it is predicted to consume over 20 percent of global energy . An often-used comparison to put this into perspective is that all the data centers now operating globally have the same carbon impact as the aviation industry .
For the energy industry , decarbonization is one of the biggest challenges it will ever face , with transitions to wind and solar energy , infrastructure investment to facilitate hydrogen , and technology to reduce the impact of existing processes . Contending with all of this , the impact of data centers and tech may not seem like a priority . But understanding that these significant emissions can be reduced with the support of specific tech decarbonization tools creates a powerful opportunity for the sector to make strides towards its sustainability targets .
Rather than thinking solely about the negative results of digital growth , we ’ re looking for solutions to balance evolution and the protection of our planet .
The energy sector ’ s potential to decarbonize tech
Energy businesses are already transforming their practices and processes to meet looming ESG targets , so now is the perfect opportunity to harness this time of change and provide solutions that support an increased reliance on digital without expanding their carbon footprint .
With the challenging journey energy companies are facing , any and all reductions are an important part of the process . While digital optimization and cleantech may only be a small part of the process shifts this sector is implementing to reduce overall emissions , a few relatively minor changes can have a real , tangible impact and create measurable change .
There are already options available to businesses , like GoCodeGreen , which is the world ’ s first product lifecycle-based measurement and decisioning platform . Nominated for the 2023 Earthshot Prize in the ‘ Fix our Climate ’ category , it has built an independent measurement tool that helps businesses understand and take action to reduce the carbon impact of the digital products and services they are designing , building , and operating . This helps companies ensure there is no greenwashing as they decarbonize their technology and IT .
There are also sustainable technology options that help to mitigate emissions by using renewable resources or creating environmentally friendly efficiencies . Importantly , there are also behavioural changes that organizations can implement , like minimizing unnecessary downloads or surplus emails , that can significantly reduce a company ’ s footprint .
Now is the time to embrace the opportunity to make an even better , faster , more efficient , and planet-friendly version of the digital scape within the energy sector . Working together , we have the chance and a responsibility to change the future of the digital world and our planet . ■
GoCodeGreen www . gocode . green
GoCodeGreen is a world leading , independent ClimateTech company focused on measuring and identifying actions to reduce the carbon and environmental impact of digital products and services . Its mission is to help decarbonize the digital world in which we all now live . Earthshot Prize-nominated and a Certified B Corporation , GoGodeGreen is also partnered with the ITU , the United Nations specialized agency for Information and Communication Technology .
energy-oil-gas . com 15