GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The It Industry Statistics

ICT sector can cut emissions 15% through sustainable practices, boosting efficiency.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Approximately 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste was generated globally in 2019, with a significant portion from outdated IT equipment

Statistic 2

Recycling of e-waste can reduce the demand for virgin materials, saving over $60 billion annually in raw material costs

Statistic 3

Only about 20% of e-waste is formally recycled, highlighting major challenges in sustainability and proper disposal

Statistic 4

Nearly 60% of electronics discarded globally are stored in warehouses or landfills, rather than being recycled or refurbished

Statistic 5

The average lifespan of IT equipment has increased from 2 to 4.5 years due to better durability and repairability, reducing electronic waste

Statistic 6

E-waste recyclability rates vary globally, with some countries recycling less than 10% of their e-waste, underlining disparities in sustainability efforts

Statistic 7

The global e-waste recycling market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2021 to 2028, driven by sustainability policies and technological advancements

Statistic 8

Data centers worldwide consumed about 200 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2020, representing roughly 1% of global electricity use

Statistic 9

Companies that adopted sustainable IT practices reduced their energy consumption by an average of 30%

Statistic 10

By 2025, the amount of data created globally is expected to reach 180 zettabytes, increasing energy demand for data processing and storage

Statistic 11

Cloud data centers are on average 3.5 times more energy-efficient than traditional on-premises data centers

Statistic 12

Up to 70% of data center energy consumption can be attributed to cooling systems, prompting innovations in cooling technology to improve sustainability

Statistic 13

The use of AI in optimizing data center operations can lead to energy savings of up to 40%

Statistic 14

Data centers designed for energy efficiency can reduce greenhouse gases by approximately 1.3 million tons annually, equivalent to removing 250,000 cars from the road

Statistic 15

Use of virtualization technology has helped reduce data center server energy consumption by approximately 50%, leading to significant sustainability gains

Statistic 16

Data centers that implement advanced cooling techniques, such as liquid cooling, can reduce energy usage by up to 50%

Statistic 17

With the global adoption of sustainability certifications, over 50% of new data centers are now built to LEED standards, significantly reducing their environmental impact

Statistic 18

Renewable energy powered data centers have shown a 12% reduction in operational costs over traditional fossil fuel-powered centers, due to lower energy prices

Statistic 19

Increasing server utilization rates from 45% to 75% can reduce data center energy consumption by approximately 30%, emphasizing the importance of efficient resource management

Statistic 20

Cloud service providers such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud are committing to 100% renewable energy use by 2030, leading industry-wide sustainability improvements

Statistic 21

Green data center initiatives, such as using free cooling and renewable energy, have increased data center energy efficiency by up to 40%

Statistic 22

Data center power usage effectiveness (PUE) improvements from 2.0 to 1.2 can reduce energy consumption by approximately 40%, highlighting efficiency gains

Statistic 23

The global ICT sector accounts for approximately 2-4% of total greenhouse gas emissions

Statistic 24

The ICT sector has the potential to reduce global emissions by up to 15% through efficiency improvements and sustainable practices

Statistic 25

The Global e-Sustainability Initiative estimates that ICT can contribute to 20-25% of total carbon emissions reduction needed to meet global climate goals

Statistic 26

Implementing green IT policies resulted in a 15% reduction in energy use in some corporate environments within the first year

Statistic 27

Companies that adopted telecommuting policies reduced their carbon emissions related to commuting by up to 54%

Statistic 28

According to Gartner, 75% of data center workloads will be processed in cloud infrastructure by 2025, promoting better energy efficiency and scalability

Statistic 29

The electricity consumption of blockchain mining operations globally accounts for about 0.1% of the world's total electricity use, raising sustainability concerns

Statistic 30

Adoption of AI and machine learning in supply chain management can lower operational energy costs by up to 27%, contributing to sustainability goals

Statistic 31

The use of blockchain technology can improve supply chain transparency, leading to more sustainable sourcing of components, with over 60% of companies exploring blockchain-based supply solutions

Statistic 32

Telecommuting and remote work saw a 50% increase globally during the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly reducing commuting emissions

Statistic 33

The introduction of biodegradable plastics in IT packaging materials is increasing, with some companies reporting a 20% adoption rate among new products

Statistic 34

The number of green IT startups has doubled every five years, indicating growing innovation in sustainable technologies

Statistic 35

The use of renewable energy sources in the ICT sector has increased by 20% annually over the past five years

Statistic 36

The carbon footprint of manufacturing a typical smartphone is approximately 55 kg CO2e, of which the majority is generated during production

Statistic 37

80% of the electronic devices used in enterprise environments are equipped with energy-saving features, but only 40% are properly configured for energy efficiency

Statistic 38

The IT industry can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by switching to cloud computing and renewable energy sources for power, with potential savings of up to 12 gigatons of CO2 annually by 2030

Statistic 39

Sustainable procurement policies in the IT industry can cut costs by up to 30% over five years by reducing waste and energy consumption

Statistic 40

Replacing older IT hardware with energy-efficient models can reduce energy consumption by approximately 35%, resulting in lower carbon emissions

Statistic 41

The use of sustainable materials in IT equipment, such as recycled plastics and eco-friendly components, is increasing, with estimates suggesting 35% of new hardware incorporates recycled materials

Statistic 42

The adoption of energy-efficient LED lighting in IT offices and data centers cuts lighting energy costs by approximately 50%, reducing overall carbon footprint

Statistic 43

The global digital transformation market in IT is expected to reach USD 1000 billion by 2030, with sustainability aspects driving a significant portion of investments

Statistic 44

More than 95% of organizations recognize that sustainability is critical to their future, yet less than 30% have comprehensive green IT policies

Statistic 45

Eco-friendly IT hardware certifications, such as Energy Star and EPEAT, are now required in over 60 countries, encouraging sustainable manufacturing practices

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Key Highlights

The global ICT sector accounts for approximately 2-4% of total greenhouse gas emissions
Data centers worldwide consumed about 200 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2020, representing roughly 1% of global electricity use
The ICT sector has the potential to reduce global emissions by up to 15% through efficiency improvements and sustainable practices
Companies that adopted sustainable IT practices reduced their energy consumption by an average of 30%
Approximately 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste was generated globally in 2019, with a significant portion from outdated IT equipment
Recycling of e-waste can reduce the demand for virgin materials, saving over $60 billion annually in raw material costs
By 2025, the amount of data created globally is expected to reach 180 zettabytes, increasing energy demand for data processing and storage
Cloud data centers are on average 3.5 times more energy-efficient than traditional on-premises data centers
Up to 70% of data center energy consumption can be attributed to cooling systems, prompting innovations in cooling technology to improve sustainability
The use of renewable energy sources in the ICT sector has increased by 20% annually over the past five years
The Global e-Sustainability Initiative estimates that ICT can contribute to 20-25% of total carbon emissions reduction needed to meet global climate goals
Only about 20% of e-waste is formally recycled, highlighting major challenges in sustainability and proper disposal
The use of AI in optimizing data center operations can lead to energy savings of up to 40%

As the tech industry faces mounting pressure to reduce its environmental footprint, emerging data reveals that sustainable IT practices could cut global emissions by up to 15%, highlighting a critical opportunity for industry-wide transformation toward greener operations.

E-Waste Management and Recycling

Approximately 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste was generated globally in 2019, with a significant portion from outdated IT equipment
Recycling of e-waste can reduce the demand for virgin materials, saving over $60 billion annually in raw material costs
Only about 20% of e-waste is formally recycled, highlighting major challenges in sustainability and proper disposal
Nearly 60% of electronics discarded globally are stored in warehouses or landfills, rather than being recycled or refurbished
The average lifespan of IT equipment has increased from 2 to 4.5 years due to better durability and repairability, reducing electronic waste
E-waste recyclability rates vary globally, with some countries recycling less than 10% of their e-waste, underlining disparities in sustainability efforts
The global e-waste recycling market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2021 to 2028, driven by sustainability policies and technological advancements

E-Waste Management and Recycling Interpretation

Despite technological strides extending device lifespans and a growing recycling market, the fact that only one-fifth of global e-waste is formally recycled and nearly 60% languishes in landfills underscores that the IT industry still faces a significant electronics sustainability paradox—where progress is hindered not just by outdated equipment but by systemic disposal challenges.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Resources in Data Centers

Data centers worldwide consumed about 200 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2020, representing roughly 1% of global electricity use
Companies that adopted sustainable IT practices reduced their energy consumption by an average of 30%
By 2025, the amount of data created globally is expected to reach 180 zettabytes, increasing energy demand for data processing and storage
Cloud data centers are on average 3.5 times more energy-efficient than traditional on-premises data centers
Up to 70% of data center energy consumption can be attributed to cooling systems, prompting innovations in cooling technology to improve sustainability
The use of AI in optimizing data center operations can lead to energy savings of up to 40%
Data centers designed for energy efficiency can reduce greenhouse gases by approximately 1.3 million tons annually, equivalent to removing 250,000 cars from the road
Use of virtualization technology has helped reduce data center server energy consumption by approximately 50%, leading to significant sustainability gains
Data centers that implement advanced cooling techniques, such as liquid cooling, can reduce energy usage by up to 50%
With the global adoption of sustainability certifications, over 50% of new data centers are now built to LEED standards, significantly reducing their environmental impact
Renewable energy powered data centers have shown a 12% reduction in operational costs over traditional fossil fuel-powered centers, due to lower energy prices
Increasing server utilization rates from 45% to 75% can reduce data center energy consumption by approximately 30%, emphasizing the importance of efficient resource management
Cloud service providers such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud are committing to 100% renewable energy use by 2030, leading industry-wide sustainability improvements
Green data center initiatives, such as using free cooling and renewable energy, have increased data center energy efficiency by up to 40%
Data center power usage effectiveness (PUE) improvements from 2.0 to 1.2 can reduce energy consumption by approximately 40%, highlighting efficiency gains

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Resources in Data Centers Interpretation

As the data deluge grows exponentially, so does the industry’s shift from energy-intensive legacy infrastructure to sustainable innovations—proving that in the world of data, green is not just good for the planet, but also for the bottom line.

Impact of Technology Adoption on Environmental Goals

The global ICT sector accounts for approximately 2-4% of total greenhouse gas emissions
The ICT sector has the potential to reduce global emissions by up to 15% through efficiency improvements and sustainable practices
The Global e-Sustainability Initiative estimates that ICT can contribute to 20-25% of total carbon emissions reduction needed to meet global climate goals
Implementing green IT policies resulted in a 15% reduction in energy use in some corporate environments within the first year
Companies that adopted telecommuting policies reduced their carbon emissions related to commuting by up to 54%
According to Gartner, 75% of data center workloads will be processed in cloud infrastructure by 2025, promoting better energy efficiency and scalability
The electricity consumption of blockchain mining operations globally accounts for about 0.1% of the world's total electricity use, raising sustainability concerns
Adoption of AI and machine learning in supply chain management can lower operational energy costs by up to 27%, contributing to sustainability goals
The use of blockchain technology can improve supply chain transparency, leading to more sustainable sourcing of components, with over 60% of companies exploring blockchain-based supply solutions
Telecommuting and remote work saw a 50% increase globally during the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly reducing commuting emissions

Impact of Technology Adoption on Environmental Goals Interpretation

While the ICT industry currently contributes a modest 2-4% to global emissions, its untapped potential to slash up to 15% through efficiency and innovation underscores that in the race toward a greener future, smart tech—not just green tech—is steering the wheel.

Market Trends and Policy Initiatives in Green IT

The introduction of biodegradable plastics in IT packaging materials is increasing, with some companies reporting a 20% adoption rate among new products
The number of green IT startups has doubled every five years, indicating growing innovation in sustainable technologies

Market Trends and Policy Initiatives in Green IT Interpretation

As biodegradable plastics begin to carve out a 20% niche in IT packaging and green startups double every five years, the tech industry is evidently shifting from electronic waste to eco-conscious innovation—proof that sustainability is no longer optional but a rampant (and rapidly growing) trend.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly ICT Practices

The use of renewable energy sources in the ICT sector has increased by 20% annually over the past five years
The carbon footprint of manufacturing a typical smartphone is approximately 55 kg CO2e, of which the majority is generated during production
80% of the electronic devices used in enterprise environments are equipped with energy-saving features, but only 40% are properly configured for energy efficiency
The IT industry can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by switching to cloud computing and renewable energy sources for power, with potential savings of up to 12 gigatons of CO2 annually by 2030
Sustainable procurement policies in the IT industry can cut costs by up to 30% over five years by reducing waste and energy consumption
Replacing older IT hardware with energy-efficient models can reduce energy consumption by approximately 35%, resulting in lower carbon emissions
The use of sustainable materials in IT equipment, such as recycled plastics and eco-friendly components, is increasing, with estimates suggesting 35% of new hardware incorporates recycled materials
The adoption of energy-efficient LED lighting in IT offices and data centers cuts lighting energy costs by approximately 50%, reducing overall carbon footprint
The global digital transformation market in IT is expected to reach USD 1000 billion by 2030, with sustainability aspects driving a significant portion of investments
More than 95% of organizations recognize that sustainability is critical to their future, yet less than 30% have comprehensive green IT policies
Eco-friendly IT hardware certifications, such as Energy Star and EPEAT, are now required in over 60 countries, encouraging sustainable manufacturing practices

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly ICT Practices Interpretation

While the IT industry is powering a 20% annual surge in renewable energy use and substituting old hardware with eco-friendly models—potentially slashing emissions by 12 gigatons by 2030—it remains paradoxically hampered by misconfigured energy-saving features and the slow adoption of comprehensive green policies, reminding us that even in a digital age, sustainability still needs a bit more configuration.