Just the energy use from the ICT industry stands for more than 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is as much emissions as from all air traffic in the world.
Is electronic communication more environmental-friendly?
When it comes to sustainability, it is important to separate the facts from the myths. A wide-spread message is that you can "go green" by only using digital media, but the electronic media – naturally – also has environmental impacts.
Messages like "go green" by going digital are misleading
“Go paperless”, “go green” or “save trees” are common messages that many organisations use to promote a switch from communication on paper to to electronic transactions and communications. The organisation TwoSides monitors this type of messages in order to debunk the myths.
"These sort of messages give the impression that electronic communication is more environmentally friendly than paper-based communication", writes TwoSides. "But it is very difficult to make such statements without considering the full lifetime of those different mediums."
When considering the climate impact and greenhouse gas emissions, we have to look at all the relevant factors, says for example Bill Gates in his book How to avoid a climate disaster:
- How are things made
- How are things grown
- From where does the electricity come
- How is everything transported
Impact from production, usage and waste disposal as well as from raw material extraction and energy consumption throughout the life cycle needs to be counted.
The ICT industry footprint is large – and growing
The information and communication technology, ICT industry sector, is "the manufacturing and services industries whose products primarily fulfil or enable the function of information processing and communication by electronic means”, defined by OECD. According to the European commission in 2020 the ICT industry accounts for 5-9% of the world's electricity use. Only the energy use in itself stands for more than 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is as much emissions as all air traffic in the world.
"The growth of the ICT sector in recent years has been unprecedented and is projected to keep that steady pace," writes the mobile network operators' organisation GSMA Europe, which also states that there are growing concerns about the industry’s environmental footprint.
Reducing the ICT sector carbon emissions also goes beyond meeting the energy efficiency goals. It includes "more complex challenges, such as finding ways to ensure sustainable supply chains", according to GSMA.
Calling out greenwash statements
TwoSides calls out greenwashing. Over 750 of the world’s largest organisations have removed misleading statements that said digital communications was better for the environment. In our increasingly digital world electronic and paper-based communications coexist and are often complementary. Help set the facts straight.
Get the free booklet
Learn more about how we can fight common misconceptions. Get the free booklet "Myths and facts", published by TwoSides.
Want to know more about sustainability in Holmen?
Here are some recommendations for further reading about how sustainability is core to us:
Facts about our forests
a long-term perspective and sustainability is key to Holmen. Developing sustainable forestry is an important cornerstone in a bio-based society.
Our forest managementWe contribute to a better climate
The forest is an invaluable resource that binds carbon and provides a renewable alternative to fossil material. Young, growing trees bind more carbon than old trees whose growth has slowed.
Better climate