An online meeting with a webcam emits between 150 to 1,000 grams (0.33 to 2.2 pounds) of carbon dioxide per hour. This range depends on factors like the quality of the video stream and the platform used.
The Influences of Using a Webcam and Not Using a Webcam
Using a Webcam:
- Increased Data Transmission: Using a webcam significantly increases the data transmitted, leading to higher energy consumption. For example, an hour-long video call with the webcam on can emit between 400 to 1,000 grams (0.88 to 2.2 pounds) of CO2, depending on the video quality and the number of participants.
- Higher Carbon Emissions: More data transmission means more electricity use, contributing to higher carbon emissions.
- Water and Land Footprints: Data centers require water for cooling and land for infrastructure, which increases the overall environmental impact.
Not Using a Webcam:
- Reduced Data Transmission: Without a webcam, less data is transmitted, resulting in lower energy consumption.
- Lower Carbon Emissions: Less data transmission means less electricity use, thus reducing carbon emissions. For example, turning off the webcam can reduce the carbon footprint to about 150 to 300 grams (0.33 to 0.66 pounds) of CO2 per hour.
- Decreased Water and Land Footprints: Reducing data transmission minimizes the water and land resources needed for data center operations.
Platform-Specific Data
Here is a table summarizing the average carbon footprint per hour for different video conferencing platforms:
| Platform | Carbon Emissions (g CO2e/hour) | Carbon Emissions (lbs CO2e/hour) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoom | 150 – 1,000 | 0.33 – 2.2 | Emissions vary depending on video quality and duration (Main) (Anthropocene Magazine). |
| Microsoft Teams | 200 – 1,200 | 0.44 – 2.64 | Includes higher emissions due to integration with other Microsoft services and high usage (ScienceDaily). |
| Google Meet | 160 – 1,100 | 0.35 – 2.42 | Emissions depend on video quality and additional features used during the meeting (Main). |
| Skype | 140 – 900 | 0.31 – 1.98 | Typically lower due to optimization for lower bandwidth use (Anthropocene Magazine). |
Interesting Facts about virtual meetins
- Comparison to In-Person Meetings: A one-day virtual conference with 200 participants generates emissions equivalent to the carbon footprint of a car driving almost 3,300 miles. This is significantly lower than in-person meetings but still impactful.
- Video Quality Impact: Streaming in high definition can more than double the carbon footprint compared to standard definition.
- Global Internet Use: Increased internet use due to the pandemic could require forests twice the size of Portugal to sequester the emitted carbon.
Tips to Reduce Carbon Footprint of Online Meetings
- Turn Off the Camera: Whenever possible, turn off your camera to significantly reduce data transmission and energy consumption.
- Lower Video Quality: Use standard definition instead of high definition to reduce the amount of data transmitted.
- Optimize Meeting Length: Keep meetings as short as possible to reduce overall data usage.
- Use Renewable Energy: If possible, power your devices with renewable energy sources.
- Efficient Equipment: Use energy-efficient devices and replace old equipment less frequently to minimize energy consumption.
Features That Add to Carbon Footprint During an Online Meeting
Several features can increase the carbon footprint during an online meeting. Using a webcam for video conferencing significantly raises energy consumption due to the need for data transmission and processing. High-definition video streaming further amplifies this effect, as it requires more data to be transmitted, processed, and stored. Other features like screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and additional participants also contribute to increased data usage, thereby elevating energy consumption and carbon emissions. For instance, a one-hour Zoom meeting with HD video can emit between 150 to 1,000 grams (0.33 to 2.2 pounds) of CO2, depending on the quality and the number of participants.
Sustainability of Virtual Meetings
Virtual meetings are generally more sustainable compared to in-person meetings. They eliminate the need for travel, which significantly reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation. For example, a one-day virtual conference with 200 participants generates emissions equivalent to driving almost 5300kilometers (3,300 miles), which is much lower than the emissions from flights and commutes for an in-person conference.
However, virtual meetings still have an environmental impact due to the electricity required to power servers, data centers, and devices used for video conferencing. Despite this, the overall carbon footprint of virtual meetings remains smaller compared to traditional in-person meetings, making them a more sustainable option.
Carbon Footprint of Online Meetings
Online meetings contribute to carbon emissions primarily through the energy used by data centers for data processing and transmission. The carbon footprint of an online meeting varies depending on factors like video quality and meeting duration. For example, a one-hour high-definition video call can produce between 150 to 1,000 (0.33 to 2.2 pounds) grams of CO2.
The platform used also influences the footprint, as different platforms have varying levels of energy efficiency. Overall, while online meetings are not without environmental impact, they are generally less carbon-intensive than in-person meetings.
