For some time now, so-called climate protectors have been blaming air traffic for the "buck" when it comes to carbon dioxide emissions. Cruise ships are almost unnoticed, at least by the public. A recent study from the United Kingdom found that the IT industry emits more carbon dioxide than aviation and that the trend is rapidly increasing.

Data centers need electricity, a lot and more each year. Large corporations try to be particularly green, but the advancing digitization requires more and more energy. In many countries this comes primarily from fossil carriers, which causes additional carbon dioxide emissions.

The study comes to the conclusion that around 1,8 to 2,8 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions are caused by the Internet and computers. If you take the entire supply chain into account, the proportion could even be 3,9 percent. This is well above the level caused by global aviation. For comparison: In 2018, their share was around 2,8 percent.

The British researchers assume that the gap between the two industries will widen further in the next few years. In aviation, measures are gradually being taken to reduce emissions, but not in the IT area. This would even practice regular "greenwashing" at certain points. The exact details of the study can be with this link be found.