How much carbon does transmitting 1 GB of data produce?

Current best estimates (2024): 0.001-0.004 kg CO2e/GB for data transmission (network infrastructure energy). Total including data center processing: 0.003-0.010 kg CO2e/GB. This figure has fallen 30-40% per GB in the last 5 years due to network efficiency improvements.

Is the internet's carbon footprint growing?

Total internet energy use is roughly stable despite 20-30% annual traffic growth, because efficiency improves proportionally. ICT represents approximately 2-4% of global CO2 emissions, comparable to the aviation sector. Data center carbon is driven mainly by grid carbon intensity, not hardware.

Does switching to green cloud providers reduce digital carbon?

Yes — AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure all operate with 90%+ renewable energy matching. Scope 2 market-based emissions for cloud workloads can be near zero. On-premise data centers vary widely; many corporate data centers use grid power with 300-500 g CO2/kWh.

Digital Carbon Footprint Per GB Data Calculator

Calculate the carbon footprint of data transmission, storage, and processing. Model energy consumption of networks, data centers, and end-user devices per GB transferred.

2D stress state at a point. All stresses in MPa.

σx — Normal Stress X (MPa)

σy — Normal Stress Y (MPa)

τxy — Shear Stress (MPa)

⚙ Mechanical Note: Results are based on standard textbook formulas and ISO/AASHTO references. Always verify critical designs with applicable codes (ISO 898, AASHTO 1993, AISC, Eurocode 3) and a qualified engineer.

How to Use

Enter the values for the scenario you are assessing. Calculate the carbon footprint of data transmission, storage, and processing. Model energy consumption of networks, data centers, and end-user devices per GB transferred. Use the digital carbon/gb result to inform your calculation.

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Digital Carbon Footprint Per GB Data Calculator

How to Use

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much carbon does transmitting 1 GB of data produce?

Is the internet's carbon footprint growing?

Does switching to green cloud providers reduce digital carbon?