When communication, transmissions, and information gathering takes place online, the impacts of digital pollution are often not visible, but the environmental costs of electronic production and virtual data storage, are real nonetheless.
As people tend to spend a lot of time on shopping apps, the high engagement rate of social media apps produces the same effect. TikTok, for example, emitted about 4.93 grams of CO2 equivalent per minute, whereas YouTube and Facebook were on the lower spectrum of CO2 equivalent emissions.
For public service platforms, the level of CO2 equivalent was lower on average, with the website of the city of Nice releasing the most, at 2.77.
Nevertheless, consumers believe that digitalization could aid in reducing the environmental impacts of other industries in the future. While it helps to spread awareness and inform about good environmental practices, it will develop the circular economy even further.
Website and app emissions in France
The green industry is profiting from digitalization, with growing second-hand commerce and sharing economy platforms such as Vinted.fr or Airbnb. These might help reduce the carbon impact of fashion consumption and tourism, but the use of these websites and apps is still leaving a carbon trace. Thus, a minute’s use of the Vinted.fr app produces the equivalent of about 0.4 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) for every user, and Airbnb's energy consumption reaches 6.12 milliampere per hour while reading customer ratings. Zara.com/fr was by far the least eco-friendly app in 2020, emitting as much as 5.71 grams of CO2 equivalent.As people tend to spend a lot of time on shopping apps, the high engagement rate of social media apps produces the same effect. TikTok, for example, emitted about 4.93 grams of CO2 equivalent per minute, whereas YouTube and Facebook were on the lower spectrum of CO2 equivalent emissions.
For public service platforms, the level of CO2 equivalent was lower on average, with the website of the city of Nice releasing the most, at 2.77.
User opinion
In recent years, French people have become aware of the need to limit their digital footprint. While some are ready to buy second-hand technology, contributing to the growing resale market in France, about 69 percent of connected users are ready to change the amount of technology usage. Most people are taking small steps, regularly emptying their mailboxes to minimize the amount of data storage, buying energy efficient appliances or recycled computer equipment.Nevertheless, consumers believe that digitalization could aid in reducing the environmental impacts of other industries in the future. While it helps to spread awareness and inform about good environmental practices, it will develop the circular economy even further.
