According to an analysis by Greenly, TikTok’s annual emissions in 2023 could outpace those of Greece, with the platform generating an estimated 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) globally.
BUSAN, South Korea — TikTok, the wildly popular social media platform, may boast a billion users worldwide, but its carbon footprint has become a sobering reminder of the environmental cost of our digital lives. According to an analysis by Greenly, a Paris-based carbon accounting consultancy, TikTok’s annual emissions in 2023 could outpace those of Greece, with the platform generating an estimated 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) globally.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
For context, Greece’s total annual emissions for 2023 were 51.67 million metric tons of CO2e. The revelation has sparked concerns over the sustainability of TikTok’s operations, particularly as tech companies face mounting pressure to reduce their environmental impact.
A Closer Look at TikTok’s Environmental Toll
Greenly’s analysis, based on emissions in the U.S., U.K., and France, estimates TikTok’s footprint in these countries at 7.6 million metric tons of CO2e. Given that these three nations represent about 15% of TikTok’s global user base, the platform’s total emissions are projected to be around 50 million metric tons annually.
This estimate likely underrepresents the platform’s true impact, as it excludes emissions from office operations and employee travel. The primary contributor to TikTok’s emissions is its data centers, which handle the massive volume of video content that drives the app’s popularity.
Comparatively, TikTok’s per-user emissions are among the highest for social media platforms. Each TikTok user generates an average of 48.49 kg of CO2e annually, equivalent to driving a gasoline-powered car for 123 miles. YouTube users rank second, with an average of 40.17 kg of CO2e per year (102 miles), followed by Instagram users at 32.52 kg of CO2e (82.8 miles).
The Cost of Addictiveness
What sets TikTok apart is its unique addictiveness. Users spend an average of 45.5 minutes daily on the platform, compared to 30.6 minutes on Instagram. The app’s algorithm, designed to maximize engagement, encourages endless scrolling and contributes to higher emissions.
“The whole algorithm is built around the massification of videos,” explained Alexis Normand, CEO of Greenly. “This addictiveness has direct consequences, incentivizing users to generate a significant carbon footprint on an individual basis.”
Unlike tech giants like Meta and Google, TikTok has yet to provide transparent emissions data. While other platforms have pledged to power data centers with renewable energy, TikTok’s progress is less clear. The company launched “Project Clover” in 2023, committing to carbon neutrality by 2030, but to date, only one renewable data center—powered entirely by renewable energy—has been built in Norway.
Adding to the uncertainty is TikTok’s ownership. A U.S. appeals court recently upheld a law requiring TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform to a non-Chinese entity by January 2025. If acquired by a U.S. firm, TikTok could be subject to stricter emissions disclosures under rules designed to ensure transparency. However, a return to a Trump administration could roll back such regulations, further complicating accountability efforts.
A Broader Reckoning for Big Tech
TikTok’s emissions are emblematic of a larger issue within the tech industry. Social media platforms, while connecting billions, come with significant environmental costs. Even companies that report emissions often rely on renewable energy credits (RECs) to understate their environmental impact. A recent investigation by The Guardian revealed that four of the top five tech firms used RECs to downplay emissions by approximately 662%.
“As TikTok grows, its environmental impact highlights the urgent need for more robust sustainability practices in the tech industry. While the platform’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030 is a step forward, experts emphasize that transparency and actionable strategies are crucial to meeting this goal.
The question remains: Can TikTok and other tech giants balance rapid growth with genuine environmental stewardship? As governments, companies, and consumers grapple with the answer, the stakes—for both the planet and the digital economy—have never been higher.
Lead image courtesy of Bongkarngraphic (a close-up of a woman using the Tiktok app on her smartphone while relaxing outdoors in a park)
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