TikTok’s carbon footprint rivals Greece’s annual emissions: study

A recent study has highlighted TikTok's substantial environmental impact, claiming that the platform's global carbon footprint could rival that of Greece.

Greenly, a Paris-based carbon accounting consultancy, estimates TikTok's 2023 emissions in the US, UK, and France alone to be approximately 7.6 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), surpassing platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Snapchat in the same region.

As these three countries account for only 15% of TikTok’s total user base, the platform’s global emissions are projected to reach around 50 million metric tonnes of CO2e annually. By comparison, Greece’s 2023 emissions are reported at 51.67 million metric tonnes of CO2e.

TikTok’s environmental footprint is attributed to its heavy reliance on video streaming, which demands substantial energy from data centers and servers. These systems are often powered by electricity derived from carbon-intensive sources such as coal, oil, and gas, significantly contributing to global emissions.

Greenly’s study equates an average TikTok user’s annual emissions to driving an extra 198 kilometers in a gasoline-powered car. Users spend an average of 45.8 minutes daily on the app, with each minute generating 2.921 grams of CO2e. Comparatively, one minute on YouTube produces 2.923 grams, while Instagram generates 2.912 grams.

“The platform’s algorithm, designed to maximize video consumption, incentivizes users to spend more time and create additional content, amplifying its carbon footprint on an individual basis,” said Alexis Normand, Greenly’s chief executive.

TikTok has disputed the study’s findings, with a spokesperson stating that ByteDance’s total carbon emissions in 2023, spanning all operations beyond TikTok, were less than 20% of Greenly’s estimates.