Emails And Pollution: What's The Connection?

Emails are a staple of modern communication, with nearly 2.6 billion email users worldwide in 2015, and an average of 1.7 accounts per user. The number of emails sent and received each day is staggering, and it's natural to wonder if this digital activity contributes to environmental harm. While individual emails don't produce a significant carbon footprint, the collective impact of billions of emails can be substantial. The infrastructure behind each message, including electricity usage, data centres, and storage, contributes to carbon emissions. Additionally, spam emails and those with large attachments further increase the carbon footprint of our inboxes. Reducing the number of unnecessary emails and adopting more efficient email habits can help lower our digital carbon footprint.

The carbon footprint of emails

Emails do contribute to carbon emissions, but the impact of a single email is minimal. However, with billions of emails sent daily, the collective impact is significant. The carbon footprint of an email depends on various factors, such as the device used, the time taken to write and read it, the inclusion of attachments or media, and the energy efficiency of the data centres involved.

According to Mike Berners-Lee, a typical email has a carbon footprint of 4 grams. This accounts for the power used by data centres and computers to send, filter, and open messages. Spam emails, which are automatically sent to multiple addresses, have a lower impact, with an average of 0.3 grams of CO2. Emails with large attachments can have a much higher carbon footprint, up to 50 grams.

The infrastructure behind each email contributes significantly to its carbon footprint. This includes the electricity used by devices and data centres, as well as the energy required to store and transmit information. Data centres, in particular, require substantial cooling systems to prevent overheating, further increasing energy consumption.

To reduce the carbon footprint of emails, individuals can adopt simple habits. Writing concise messages, hyperlinking online files instead of attaching them, and subscribing only to necessary newsletters are effective strategies. Additionally, utilising alternative communication tools like Slack, Teams, or Basecamp can reduce email volume and associated carbon emissions.

While the impact of a single email may be negligible, the cumulative effect of billions of emails is substantial. By making conscious choices and adopting good email habits, we can collectively contribute to reducing the carbon footprint associated with our digital communication.

Spam emails and their impact

While the carbon footprint of a single email is small, estimated to be 4g of CO2 for a regular email and 0.3g for a spam email, the sheer number of emails sent daily means that the emissions do stack up. In 2015, 2.6 billion email users sent and received a total of over 205 billion emails daily, a figure that was expected to rise to 246 billion by 2019. As of 2022, nearly 49% of these emails were spam, which amounts to 88.9 billion spam emails sent per day.

Spam emails are unsolicited and unwanted junk emails sent out in bulk to a list of recipients. They are often sent for commercial purposes and can be used to gain access to computers through malicious links. Spam emails can be dangerous, as they can include malicious links that can infect your computer with malware. They can also be used to scam users into entering personal information on fake websites.

Spam emails have a negative impact on the online experience, with many users reporting that spam has made them less trusting of email in general and that it has made being online unpleasant or annoying. Some users also worry that their important emails will not be received or will be blocked by filtering devices. The time spent dealing with spam emails can also be significant, with 12% of email users spending at least half an hour per day dealing with spam.

To reduce the impact of spam emails, individuals can regularly empty their recycle bins and spam folders, download anti-spam tools, and unsubscribe from newsletters and other unwanted emails.

Energy usage and storage

The energy used to power the devices and infrastructure that enable us to send and receive emails contributes to the carbon footprint of emails. This includes the electricity used by our devices, such as laptops and phones, as well as the energy consumed by data centres, servers, and wireless networks.

According to Mike Berners-Lee, a normal email has a carbon footprint of 4g of CO2e, while spam emails have a lower footprint of 0.3g of CO2e due to being sent automatically to multiple addresses. Emails with large attachments can have a significantly higher footprint of around 50g of CO2e. These estimates consider the power used by computers and data centres to send, filter, and open messages.

The energy consumption of data centres is particularly notable, as they require significant electricity to operate and maintain, including cooling systems to prevent overheating. The carbon footprint of data centres is not limited to the energy they consume but also includes the emissions associated with their construction.

While individual emails may have a relatively small carbon footprint, the cumulative impact of billions of emails sent and received daily becomes significant. Therefore, reducing the number of emails we send and adopting good email habits, such as avoiding unnecessary attachments, can help lower our carbon footprint.

Additionally, the type of device used to create an email and its energy efficiency can influence the carbon emissions associated with it. Older devices, such as desktop computers, may require more energy to operate compared to newer smartphones. The time taken to write and read an email also contributes to its carbon footprint.

Reducing email pollution

While the carbon footprint of a single email is small, the number of emails sent and received daily is enormous. According to technology research specialists Radicati, there were 2.6 billion email users worldwide in 2015, with an average of 1.7 accounts per user. These users collectively sent and received over 205 billion emails daily. By 2019, this figure was expected to rise to over 246 billion. Therefore, even a small impact on the environment from emails would add up quickly.

Tips to reduce email pollution

• Only subscribe to the news services that you want. Many email hosts now offer the ability to unsubscribe from newsletters and other emails from companies you don't read.
• Write concisely and keep messages as brief as possible.
• Hyperlink files or information held online instead of attaching them. Large attachments can significantly increase an email's carbon footprint.
• Avoid sending unnecessary emails. If something could be confirmed with a co-worker via a conversation in the office, this would help save energy.
• Use office tools such as Slack, Teams, and Basecamp as alternatives to email, as these tend to consume less energy.
• Abstain from sending "thank you" emails.
• Streamline your emails by considering the volume of email recipients.
• Regularly empty your recycle bin and spam folder to free up space on the servers that store email data.
• Download an anti-spam tool to help reduce your email pollution.

Environmental impact of data centres

The environmental impact of data centres is a growing concern. Data centres are facilities that house the IT equipment used for data processing, storage, and communications networking. They are the backbone of IT networks across the globe, providing the infrastructure for the internet and various online activities.

Data centres have a significant environmental footprint due to their high energy consumption. They account for 3% of global electricity supply and contribute 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The energy is needed to power the IT equipment and manage the heat produced. Cooling systems can account for up to 40% of a data centre's total energy consumption.

The industry has recognised the need to go beyond energy consumption in its focus, addressing issues such as carbon, water, and compute efficiency. Adopting more renewable energy sources can help data centres become carbon neutral, reducing their environmental impact.

The impact of data centres extends beyond energy use, as they also generate electronic waste, or E-Waste. E-Waste accounts for 2% of solid waste and a significant 70% of toxic waste.

The environmental impact of data centres is not limited to the facilities themselves but also includes the emissions associated with the manufacturing and transportation of the electronic devices we use to access the internet and send emails. This can make up a considerable portion of the lifetime emissions of a piece of electronics.

While individual emails may not produce a significant carbon footprint, the collective impact of billions of emails and other online activities adds up. Emails with large attachments can have a carbon footprint of up to 50g, while spam emails have a lower footprint of 0.3g of CO2 on average.

To reduce the environmental impact of data centres and our online activities, individuals can take steps such as reducing unnecessary emails, using alternative communication tools, and being mindful of email storage and attachments. Additionally, upgrading our equipment less often can help lower the carbon footprint of our digital technology.

Frequently asked questions