The coronavirus pandemic has led to an unprecedented increase in energy consumption in the information and communication technology industry. Information and communication technologies account for 3-4% of global carbon emissions, roughly double that of the aviation sector, according to a study by international consulting company Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Trend reports citing TASS.
According to the study, an unprecedented global demand for digital communications, fueled by the massive shift to remote work formats in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, has led the information and communications technology industry to consume more energy than ever before. Today the information and communication technologies sector accounts for 3 to 4% of global CO2 emissions, roughly double the emissions generated by the much more closely monitored aviation sector, the study said.
With a 60% increase in global data consumption expected in 2021, the industry could account for up to 14% of global CO2 emissions by 2040, unless significant steps are taken to reduce the sector's environmental impact.