Gupta, U;
Kim, YG;
Lee, S;
Tse, J;
Lee, HHS;
Wei, GY;
Brooks, D;
(2022)
Chasing Carbon: The Elusive Environmental Footprint of Computing.
IEEE Micro
10.1109/MM.2022.3163226.
(In press).
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Abstract
Given recent algorithm, software, and hardware innovation, computing has enabled a plethora of new applications. As computing becomes increasingly ubiquitous, however, so does its environmental impact. This paper brings the issue to the attention of computer-systems researchers. Our analysis, built on industry-reported characterization, quantifies the environmental effects of computing in terms of carbon emissions. Broadly, carbon emissions have two sources: operational energy consumption, and hardware manufacturing and infrastructure. Although carbon emissions from the former are decreasing thanks to algorithmic, software, and hardware innovations that boost performance and power efficiency, the overall carbon footprint of computer systems continues to grow. This work quantifies the carbon output of computer systems to show that most emissions related to modern mobile and data-center equipment come from hardware manufacturing and infrastructure. We therefore outline future directions for minimizing the environmental impact of computing systems.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Chasing Carbon: The Elusive Environmental Footprint of Computing |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1109/MM.2022.3163226 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1109/MM.2022.3163226 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Hardware, Carbon dioxide, Manufacturing, Carbon footprint, Data centers, Integrated circuits, Energy efficiency |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Physics and Astronomy UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10147559 |
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