It is estimated that up to 4% of the electricity consumed worldwide comes directly from data centers and server farms, according to data collected by cdmon using Blockchain technology. This amounts to over 750 million tons of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere each year. Although emissions from electricity generation are decreasing—from 547 grams of CO2 per kWh in 2007 to 481 grams in 2023, according to Our World In Data—the digital footprint remains one of the major oversights in the decarbonization strategies of many companies.
The Need for Sustainable Digital Infrastructure
The digital environment has become the growth engine for companies of all sizes, from multinationals to SMEs. Online presence, load speed, and server performance are often top priorities. However, few organizations incorporate sustainability into their technological plans. According to data from Climate Action Tracker, the projected global warming for 2100 has been reduced from 4.5 ºC (in the year 2000) to 2.8 ºC in 2024. This favorable evolution also requires that digital infrastructure contributes to reducing emissions.
At cdmon, a leading hosting solutions company, the importance of taking action in this area is emphasized. “cdmon’s goal has always been to lead with innovation and sustainability in the web hosting sector,” says Marc Palau, co-founder of the company.
The Real Impact of Data Centers
In 2023, the planet emitted 37,790 million tons of CO2, with between 1% and 4% of that figure coming from server farms. This means that global digital infrastructure is responsible for over 750 million tons of emissions. Although figures are decreasing, the magnitude of the environmental impact necessitates strong measures.
One of the keys is transitioning to renewable energy sources. In this regard, cdmon has taken a step forward by becoming the first hosting company in Spain accredited by the Green Web Foundation. This certifies that all the energy used in its data centers comes from clean, non-fossil sources.
Energy Efficiency: A Key to Sustainability
The focus on renewable energies is just part of the change. cdmon has implemented software-level optimization processes that require fewer computing resources and has selected components with a lower environmental impact. Additionally, it uses water cooling systems, which help maintain optimal temperatures in servers without resorting to solutions that spike electricity consumption.
“In an environment where sustainability will be a competitive advantage, the energy efficiency of data centers and infrastructure optimization are critical,” highlights David Blanch, digital director of cdmon. According to the executive, companies that do not consider their digital footprint in their strategic plans “will face stricter regulations, higher operational costs, and a loss of attractiveness compared to more sustainable competitors.”
The Future: A Green and Conscious Infrastructure
Corporate sustainability has extended to many areas: building energy-efficient structures, reducing water consumption, cleaner transportation… But the digital ecosystem still remains a pending issue. The intensive use of hosting, cloud platforms, email servers, and artificial intelligence applications involves enormous energy consumption that is not always visible.
cdmon emphasizes the need for companies to include digital sustainability in their decarbonization policies. This involves contracting hosting services that use 100% renewable energy, incorporating optimized technological processes, and choosing components that are less harmful to the environment. Only in this way will it be possible to reduce the digital footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future without sacrificing innovation and performance.