Global Embodied Emissions of Digital Technologies: The Hidden 42 %

Abstract Using input-output analysis of EU FIGARO data (2010-2021), we calculate the embodied –i.e., supply chain-related – greenhouse gas emissions of digital industries (hardware, IT services, and communications). We show that the embodied emissions of demand for digital industries in 2021 are 4.1% of global emissions, with 77-87% occurring upstream (Scope 3). We also show that 42% of direct emissions from digital industries are transferred via supply chains and ultimately “hidden” in the embodied emissions of non-digital industries. Hardware contributes the largest share to global embodied emissions of digital industries, while the increasing demand for IT services has driven emissions growth in the past decade. Our findings highlight the need to reduce digital emissions across all industries’ value chains. This includes accounting for embedded digital inputs, adopting circular economy principles in hardware manufacturing, and limiting embodied emissions from IT services, such as artificial intelligence.