The Hidden Costs of Our Digital Lives: Unmasking the Environmental Impact of Technology

The environmental impact of Technology is often misunderstood. Although technology holds immense promise for advancing sustainability, we must be mindful of its hidden impact on our planet and its finite resources, if we are to consume responsibly. 

Even though using ChatGPT in Bukit Panjang or purchasing an iPhone from Marina Bay Sands may not contribute much to Singapore’s carbon emissions, our digital device consumption does have an impact elsewhere. The impact is often invisible and therefore easily misunderstood by consumers.

Material extractions, assembling of our devices and certainly the growing energy demand of our datacentres to support AI’s growth, are taking a tremendous toll on our planet.

The carbon dioxide emissions along each process, water consumption and downstream pollution are the most obvious externalities we can think of. 

Countries like China, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, which are homes to Nickel mining, a precious metal found in batteries of our daily digital devices such as laptops and smartphones, are devastating proofs of the impact that the IT industry can have on our environment.

Measuring the invisible footprint of Technology may not be intuitive, but not only is it absolutely necessary, it is also entirely possible.

Starting from Manufacturing, which is the birthplace of every equipment and tool used in any piece of Technology.

Our daily devices such as laptops and smartphones are just the tip of the iceberg.
Cisco estimates we have 35 billion active devices worldwide.

Studies estimated that about 70% of our active technology environmental footprint is contributed by the Manufacturing process of technology.

Second stage of a technology Lifecycle is Utilisation which refers to our device usage.

80% of our online activity is audio-visual-imagery, like movie streaming and virtual meetings. When Social Media shifted to video-based user acquisition a decade ago, we also started consuming more video content.

It is estimated that Video makes up 82% of internet traffic, which takes up energy and space in our datacentres.

Even though datacentres are seen as the Bad Boys of the IT industry, datacentres only consume 1%-1.5% of the world’s electricity, according to International Energy Authority.

This insight may become obsolete by the end of 2025 because of AI, which will soon become the most energy-intensive Technology. 

Finally, we have the “End-of-life” of Technology. Every piece of equipment that we produce becomes electronic waste when they are depreciated or disposed of. 

Prior to NEA’s launch of their islandwide electronic waste collection initiative in July 2021,Singapore was recycling only a mere 6% of our e-waste.

This puts us behind other developed countries such as Taiwan, South Korea & Japan, which approximately recycles 50% of their e-waste.

With the increasing consumption of digital devices, Singapore is also increasing its capacity in recycling metals by ramping up value-recovery systems, which is a strategic move for the industry towards niche innovation and self-sustenance of critical resources. 

Most studies have shown that the utilisation lifespan of our home appliances have dropped by 75% between 1990 and 2020.

It is evident that consumer choices play a role in reducing and mitigating the environmental impact of our e-waste.

After a decade in establishing our Datacentre industry, Singapore is now well on its way in becoming a stronghold for Tech & IT infrastructures. 

The emergence of local champions on Green datacentres (CoolestDC, NUS datacentre research facility) and massive flow of Green Tech investments into the region, poses a unique opportunity for Singapore to spearhead Green IT and Tech for Good, as a responsible regional leader that puts Sustainability and Care at the core of its strategy. 

IMDA is currently leading the deployment of Green IT in Singapore. In the recent years, they had started many pilots and feasibility studies with the goal of scaling solutions across ASEAN.

An example of this initiative is the launch of IMDA’s $30 million Green Computing Funding Initiative (GCFI) to co-develop innovative Green ICT solutions for the industry.

Increasing access to climate education is the first step to mitigating the environmental impact of our Technology.

A key focus for us in 2025 is to host a series of sustainability workshops to help our communities upskill in climate change knowledge.

You can view our upcoming workshops here, with a dedicated workshop on Digital Sustainability happening on 1st July!

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