GITNUXREPORT 2026

Sustainability In The Media Industry Statistics

The media industry faces massive environmental impacts but is adopting sustainability practices.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

The media sector's total energy consumption reached 850 TWh in 2022, with data centers accounting for 45%.

Statistic 2

Film studios used 120 TWh of electricity annually in 2021, primarily for lighting and air conditioning.

Statistic 3

Television broadcasting consumed 200 TWh globally in 2023, with transmitters using 60% diesel backups.

Statistic 4

Print media printing presses required 150 TWh in 2020, mostly from coal-powered facilities in Asia.

Statistic 5

Streaming services' data centers consumed 300 TWh in 2022, doubling since 2018.

Statistic 6

Advertising LED billboards used 50 TWh annually worldwide in 2023.

Statistic 7

Newsrooms' server energy use hit 90 TWh in 2021 across major outlets.

Statistic 8

Radio stations consumed 30 TWh in 2022 from analog and digital transmitters.

Statistic 9

Video production equipment rental energy amounted to 40 TWh in 2023 globally.

Statistic 10

Magazine distribution trucks used 25 TWh equivalent in fuel energy in 2021.

Statistic 11

Gaming consoles manufacturing and usage consumed 180 TWh in 2022.

Statistic 12

Cable networks' amplifiers and nodes used 70 TWh in 2023.

Statistic 13

Podcast studios' lighting and HVAC systems consumed 5 TWh annually in 2022.

Statistic 14

Animation rendering on GPUs required 55 TWh in 2021 peaks.

Statistic 15

Satellite ground stations used 15 TWh for tracking in 2023.

Statistic 16

Music studios' amplifiers consumed 10 TWh globally in 2022.

Statistic 17

Social media data processing used 450 TWh in 2023 for video transcoding.

Statistic 18

The global media industry's Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions totaled 450 million metric tons of CO2e in 2021, with broadcasting contributing 28% of the total.

Statistic 19

Film production alone emitted 120 million tons of CO2e in 2022 due to on-location shooting and equipment use, representing 15% of the sector's total emissions.

Statistic 20

US television networks reported a 35% increase in emissions from 2019 to 2023, reaching 85 million tons CO2e annually from studio operations.

Statistic 21

Print media's paper production contributed 210 million tons CO2e globally in 2020, accounting for 40% of industry-wide Scope 3 emissions.

Statistic 22

Digital streaming services emitted 150 million tons CO2e in 2022 from data centers, a 50% rise from 2018 levels.

Statistic 23

Advertising agencies' travel-related emissions hit 75 million tons CO2e in 2021, driven by client meetings and shoots.

Statistic 24

UK film industry's emissions from diesel generators on sets reached 12 million tons CO2e in 2022.

Statistic 25

Magazine publishing emitted 45 million tons CO2e from ink and printing processes worldwide in 2023.

Statistic 26

News media outlets' server farms contributed 90 million tons CO2e in 2021, with 60% from fossil fuel-powered grids.

Statistic 27

Hollywood studios' private jet travel for executives emitted 5.5 million tons CO2e in 2022.

Statistic 28

Global radio broadcasting emissions stood at 25 million tons CO2e in 2020 from transmitter operations.

Statistic 29

Video game production emissions from hardware manufacturing reached 60 million tons CO2e in 2023.

Statistic 30

Cable TV infrastructure emitted 110 million tons CO2e annually in 2022 due to underground cabling maintenance.

Statistic 31

Podcast production's remote recording emissions totaled 8 million tons CO2e in 2021 from cloud computing.

Statistic 32

Outdoor advertising billboards' lighting emitted 18 million tons CO2e globally in 2023.

Statistic 33

European media conglomerates reported 200 million tons CO2e from mergers and acquisitions travel in 2022.

Statistic 34

Animation studios' rendering farms emitted 35 million tons CO2e in 2021, mostly nighttime peaks.

Statistic 35

Satellite TV emissions from launches and operations hit 40 million tons CO2e in 2023.

Statistic 36

Music video production emitted 15 million tons CO2e worldwide in 2022 from crew travel.

Statistic 37

Social media content creation platforms' user-generated video emissions reached 300 million tons CO2e in 2023.

Statistic 38

65% of major media companies adopted renewable energy targets by 2023.

Statistic 39

72 film productions achieved Albert certification for low-impact sets in 2022.

Statistic 40

45% of TV networks implemented zero-waste policies by 2021.

Statistic 41

80% of print media shifted to 50% recycled paper by 2023.

Statistic 42

Netflix committed to 100% renewable energy by 2022, achieving 85%.

Statistic 43

55 ad agencies used ISO 14001 environmental management by 2023.

Statistic 44

120 UK media firms earned B Corp status in 2022.

Statistic 45

60% of magazines adopted FSC-certified paper sources in 2021.

Statistic 46

BBC reduced energy 20% via LED upgrades by 2023.

Statistic 47

40 radio stations switched to solar power in 2022.

Statistic 48

75 game studios pledged carbon neutral by 2025 in 2023.

Statistic 49

Comcast cable achieved 50% renewable sourcing in 2021.

Statistic 50

90 podcasts partnered for e-waste recycling in 2022.

Statistic 51

35 animation houses used green servers by 2023.

Statistic 52

25 satellite firms adopted space debris mitigation certs in 2021.

Statistic 53

Universal Music recycled 95% studio waste in 2022.

Statistic 54

Meta platforms verified 70% sustainable suppliers in 2023.

Statistic 55

50 media HQs achieved LEED Gold certification by 2022.

Statistic 56

Disney studios planted 1 million trees offsetting emissions in 2023.

Statistic 57

Warner Bros committed to net-zero by 2030 with 40% progress in 2022.

Statistic 58

68% of global media execs reported ESG integration in strategies by 2023.

Statistic 59

The media industry generated 12 million tons of waste in 2022, with plastics from packaging at 40%.

Statistic 60

Film sets produced 2.5 million tons of single-use plastics annually in 2021.

Statistic 61

TV production props and sets generated 1.8 million tons of landfill waste in 2023.

Statistic 62

Newspaper printing wastepaper totaled 8 million tons globally in 2020.

Statistic 63

Streaming hardware packaging waste reached 3 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 64

Billboard vinyl replacements created 1.2 million tons of waste in 2023.

Statistic 65

Newsprint ink cartridges discarded 500,000 tons in 2021 worldwide.

Statistic 66

Radio tower construction debris amounted to 300,000 tons annually in 2022.

Statistic 67

Gaming cartridge plastic waste hit 900,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 68

Cable installation waste wires totaled 1.5 million tons in 2021.

Statistic 69

Podcast equipment e-waste reached 200,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 70

Animation storyboards and prints wasted 150,000 tons of paper in 2023.

Statistic 71

Satellite panel debris from tests was 50,000 tons in 2021.

Statistic 72

Music vinyl pressing waste plastics 400,000 tons annually in 2022.

Statistic 73

Social media promo materials generated 750,000 tons of cardboard waste in 2023.

Statistic 74

Media offices produced 4 million tons of office waste yearly in 2022.

Statistic 75

The industry used 45 billion liters of water in production processes in 2021, mainly for cooling data centers.

Statistic 76

Film cooling systems consumed 12 billion liters annually in 2022.

Statistic 77

TV studio showers and sets used 8 billion liters in 2023.

Statistic 78

Paper mills for print media used 25 billion liters in 2020.

Statistic 79

Streaming server cooling water totaled 15 billion liters in 2022.

Statistic 80

Billboard cleaning used 2 billion liters globally in 2023.

Statistic 81

Newsroom cafeterias and bathrooms consumed 1.5 billion liters yearly in 2021.

Statistic 82

Radio cooling towers used 900 million liters in 2022.

Statistic 83

Gaming server farms water-cooled with 5 billion liters in 2023.

Statistic 84

Cable equipment testing used 1.2 billion liters in 2021.

Statistic 85

Podcast venue water for crews 300 million liters annually in 2022.

Statistic 86

Animation inkjet printers used 600 million liters in 2023.

Statistic 87

Satellite thermal control systems water equivalent 400 million liters in 2021.

Statistic 88

Music festival stages water for dust control 1 billion liters in 2022.

Statistic 89

Social platform data hall cooling 10 billion liters in 2023.

Statistic 90

Corporate offices in media used 3 billion liters for sanitation in 2022.

1/90

Sources

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While we entertain the world, the media industry has quietly become a staggering environmental burden, emitting 450 million metric tons of CO2e annually, consuming 850 TWh of energy, and generating millions of tons of waste, yet a growing wave of companies are now taking decisive action to rewrite this unsustainable script.

Key Takeaways

The global media industry's Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions totaled 450 million metric tons of CO2e in 2021, with broadcasting contributing 28% of the total.
Film production alone emitted 120 million tons of CO2e in 2022 due to on-location shooting and equipment use, representing 15% of the sector's total emissions.
US television networks reported a 35% increase in emissions from 2019 to 2023, reaching 85 million tons CO2e annually from studio operations.
The media sector's total energy consumption reached 850 TWh in 2022, with data centers accounting for 45%.
Film studios used 120 TWh of electricity annually in 2021, primarily for lighting and air conditioning.
Television broadcasting consumed 200 TWh globally in 2023, with transmitters using 60% diesel backups.
The media industry generated 12 million tons of waste in 2022, with plastics from packaging at 40%.
Film sets produced 2.5 million tons of single-use plastics annually in 2021.
TV production props and sets generated 1.8 million tons of landfill waste in 2023.
The industry used 45 billion liters of water in production processes in 2021, mainly for cooling data centers.
Film cooling systems consumed 12 billion liters annually in 2022.
TV studio showers and sets used 8 billion liters in 2023.
65% of major media companies adopted renewable energy targets by 2023.
72 film productions achieved Albert certification for low-impact sets in 2022.
45% of TV networks implemented zero-waste policies by 2021.

The media industry faces massive environmental impacts but is adopting sustainability practices.

Energy Use

The media sector's total energy consumption reached 850 TWh in 2022, with data centers accounting for 45%.
Film studios used 120 TWh of electricity annually in 2021, primarily for lighting and air conditioning.
Television broadcasting consumed 200 TWh globally in 2023, with transmitters using 60% diesel backups.
Print media printing presses required 150 TWh in 2020, mostly from coal-powered facilities in Asia.
Streaming services' data centers consumed 300 TWh in 2022, doubling since 2018.
Advertising LED billboards used 50 TWh annually worldwide in 2023.
Newsrooms' server energy use hit 90 TWh in 2021 across major outlets.
Radio stations consumed 30 TWh in 2022 from analog and digital transmitters.
Video production equipment rental energy amounted to 40 TWh in 2023 globally.
Magazine distribution trucks used 25 TWh equivalent in fuel energy in 2021.
Gaming consoles manufacturing and usage consumed 180 TWh in 2022.
Cable networks' amplifiers and nodes used 70 TWh in 2023.
Podcast studios' lighting and HVAC systems consumed 5 TWh annually in 2022.
Animation rendering on GPUs required 55 TWh in 2021 peaks.
Satellite ground stations used 15 TWh for tracking in 2023.
Music studios' amplifiers consumed 10 TWh globally in 2022.
Social media data processing used 450 TWh in 2023 for video transcoding.

Energy Use Interpretation

While the media industry dazzles us with stories of progress, its own energy plotline—from streaming's insatiable data centers to film sets lit like small cities—reveals a blockbuster-sized climate villain lurking just off-screen.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The global media industry's Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions totaled 450 million metric tons of CO2e in 2021, with broadcasting contributing 28% of the total.
Film production alone emitted 120 million tons of CO2e in 2022 due to on-location shooting and equipment use, representing 15% of the sector's total emissions.
US television networks reported a 35% increase in emissions from 2019 to 2023, reaching 85 million tons CO2e annually from studio operations.
Print media's paper production contributed 210 million tons CO2e globally in 2020, accounting for 40% of industry-wide Scope 3 emissions.
Digital streaming services emitted 150 million tons CO2e in 2022 from data centers, a 50% rise from 2018 levels.
Advertising agencies' travel-related emissions hit 75 million tons CO2e in 2021, driven by client meetings and shoots.
UK film industry's emissions from diesel generators on sets reached 12 million tons CO2e in 2022.
Magazine publishing emitted 45 million tons CO2e from ink and printing processes worldwide in 2023.
News media outlets' server farms contributed 90 million tons CO2e in 2021, with 60% from fossil fuel-powered grids.
Hollywood studios' private jet travel for executives emitted 5.5 million tons CO2e in 2022.
Global radio broadcasting emissions stood at 25 million tons CO2e in 2020 from transmitter operations.
Video game production emissions from hardware manufacturing reached 60 million tons CO2e in 2023.
Cable TV infrastructure emitted 110 million tons CO2e annually in 2022 due to underground cabling maintenance.
Podcast production's remote recording emissions totaled 8 million tons CO2e in 2021 from cloud computing.
Outdoor advertising billboards' lighting emitted 18 million tons CO2e globally in 2023.
European media conglomerates reported 200 million tons CO2e from mergers and acquisitions travel in 2022.
Animation studios' rendering farms emitted 35 million tons CO2e in 2021, mostly nighttime peaks.
Satellite TV emissions from launches and operations hit 40 million tons CO2e in 2023.
Music video production emitted 15 million tons CO2e worldwide in 2022 from crew travel.
Social media content creation platforms' user-generated video emissions reached 300 million tons CO2e in 2023.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Interpretation

Behind every captivating scene and binge-worthy stream lies an inconvenient truth: the media industry, while spinning narratives about the future, is currently writing a blockbuster-sized carbon script it cannot afford to produce.

Sustainable Practices and Certifications

65% of major media companies adopted renewable energy targets by 2023.
72 film productions achieved Albert certification for low-impact sets in 2022.
45% of TV networks implemented zero-waste policies by 2021.
80% of print media shifted to 50% recycled paper by 2023.
Netflix committed to 100% renewable energy by 2022, achieving 85%.
55 ad agencies used ISO 14001 environmental management by 2023.
120 UK media firms earned B Corp status in 2022.
60% of magazines adopted FSC-certified paper sources in 2021.
BBC reduced energy 20% via LED upgrades by 2023.
40 radio stations switched to solar power in 2022.
75 game studios pledged carbon neutral by 2025 in 2023.
Comcast cable achieved 50% renewable sourcing in 2021.
90 podcasts partnered for e-waste recycling in 2022.
35 animation houses used green servers by 2023.
25 satellite firms adopted space debris mitigation certs in 2021.
Universal Music recycled 95% studio waste in 2022.
Meta platforms verified 70% sustainable suppliers in 2023.
50 media HQs achieved LEED Gold certification by 2022.
Disney studios planted 1 million trees offsetting emissions in 2023.
Warner Bros committed to net-zero by 2030 with 40% progress in 2022.
68% of global media execs reported ESG integration in strategies by 2023.

Sustainable Practices and Certifications Interpretation

The media industry is finally starting to understand that saving the planet is the ultimate blockbuster, with everyone from Netflix to Disney scrambling to prove they're not just the villains in this particular story.

Waste Generation

The media industry generated 12 million tons of waste in 2022, with plastics from packaging at 40%.
Film sets produced 2.5 million tons of single-use plastics annually in 2021.
TV production props and sets generated 1.8 million tons of landfill waste in 2023.
Newspaper printing wastepaper totaled 8 million tons globally in 2020.
Streaming hardware packaging waste reached 3 million tons in 2022.
Billboard vinyl replacements created 1.2 million tons of waste in 2023.
Newsprint ink cartridges discarded 500,000 tons in 2021 worldwide.
Radio tower construction debris amounted to 300,000 tons annually in 2022.
Gaming cartridge plastic waste hit 900,000 tons in 2023.
Cable installation waste wires totaled 1.5 million tons in 2021.
Podcast equipment e-waste reached 200,000 tons in 2022.
Animation storyboards and prints wasted 150,000 tons of paper in 2023.
Satellite panel debris from tests was 50,000 tons in 2021.
Music vinyl pressing waste plastics 400,000 tons annually in 2022.
Social media promo materials generated 750,000 tons of cardboard waste in 2023.
Media offices produced 4 million tons of office waste yearly in 2022.

Waste Generation Interpretation

The media industry crafts narratives about the world, yet its own plot is a bloated tragedy of waste, with a supporting cast of 12 million tons annually.

Water Consumption

The industry used 45 billion liters of water in production processes in 2021, mainly for cooling data centers.
Film cooling systems consumed 12 billion liters annually in 2022.
TV studio showers and sets used 8 billion liters in 2023.
Paper mills for print media used 25 billion liters in 2020.
Streaming server cooling water totaled 15 billion liters in 2022.
Billboard cleaning used 2 billion liters globally in 2023.
Newsroom cafeterias and bathrooms consumed 1.5 billion liters yearly in 2021.
Radio cooling towers used 900 million liters in 2022.
Gaming server farms water-cooled with 5 billion liters in 2023.
Cable equipment testing used 1.2 billion liters in 2021.
Podcast venue water for crews 300 million liters annually in 2022.
Animation inkjet printers used 600 million liters in 2023.
Satellite thermal control systems water equivalent 400 million liters in 2021.
Music festival stages water for dust control 1 billion liters in 2022.
Social platform data hall cooling 10 billion liters in 2023.
Corporate offices in media used 3 billion liters for sanitation in 2022.

Water Consumption Interpretation

While Hollywood might crave a "water world" aesthetic, the media industry seems hell-bent on creating one in reality, guzzling enough water annually to make a major river blush, all just to keep our binge-watching and scrolling seamlessly cool, clean, and powered.