The websites for United Nations climate summits (COP conferences) are surprisingly heavy contributors to carbon emissions. New research published in PLOS Climate reveals that these sites generate up to 10 times more carbon than the average webpage, a staggering statistic considering their supposed purpose. This discrepancy raises crucial questions about the environmental impact of even digital initiatives aimed at addressing climate change.
The study analyzed web archive data spanning three decades, from the first COP held in 1995 to 2024. While emissions initially remained relatively low, averaging a mere 0.02 grams of carbon per page view until COP14 (held in 2008), they took a sharp upward turn afterward. From COP15 onwards, average emissions surged to over 2.4 grams per visit—a figure significantly exceeding the average website’s 0.36 grams per view.
The primary driver behind this spike appears to be an increase in resource-intensive content on COP websites. Multimedia files like videos and interactive graphics demand more processing power, translating directly into higher energy consumption and consequently, increased carbon emissions.
But the problem extends beyond website design. Traffic to COP sites has also exploded exponentially. In 1997 (the earliest year with available data for COP3), a single page view generated roughly 0.14 kg of carbon—comparable to what a mature tree absorbs in two days. By COP29, this figure ballooned to a staggering 116.85 kg—equivalent to ten mature trees absorbing carbon over an entire year. This represents an increase of over 83,000%! While researchers haven’t yet calculated emissions for COP30, the concerning factor is that its website isn’t hosted on verified renewable energy infrastructure.
These findings highlight a crucial blind spot in climate action discussions: the environmental cost often overlooked in our digital world. “The carbon cost of digital presence is often overlooked by even those who care about, and are meant to protect, the environment,” says Professor Melissa Terras from the University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Design Informatics.
To mitigate this impact, researchers propose practical steps like:
- Limiting webpage size: Reducing file sizes and optimizing layouts can significantly decrease loading times and energy consumption.
- Optimizing site structure: Efficient code and streamlined navigation contribute to faster page loads and reduced emissions.
- Renewable energy hosting: Choosing web servers powered by sustainable sources is essential for minimizing the environmental footprint.
This groundbreaking research utilizes the Internet Archive in an innovative way, demonstrating its potential for tracking the environmental impact of websites over time. The team hopes this method will inspire analysis of other high-traffic sites and guide a collective effort to make the digital world more environmentally responsible.
The study serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly progressive initiatives can harbor hidden environmental costs. Reducing the carbon footprint of COP websites is not just about technological solutions; it’s about aligning our digital practices with the very goals we strive for in climate action.
