China’s Data Centers, 5G Network Set to Double Emissions by 2035 - BNN Bloomberg
Members of the audience use their smartphones during an unveiling event for Xiaomi Corp.'s Mi MIX 2S smartphone in Shanghai. , Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg
(Bloomberg) -- Carbon emissions from China’s fast-growing digital infrastructure are set to more than double by 2035, according to Greenpeace, highlighting another challenge to the government’s ambitious goal of reaching net zero by 2060.
Planet-warming carbon dioxide generated by 5G base stations and data centers is projected to continue rising even after major polluting industries such as steel and cement reach peak emissions around 2025, the non governmental organization said in a report on Friday. It could rise to 310 million tons a year by 2035, more than France’s total emissions.
China is home to the world’s largest 5G network and some of the biggest data centers. The two industries consumed almost the same amount of power last year as metropolises Beijing and Shenzhen combined. More than 60% of that came from burning coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, with the amount of electricity used set to nearly quadruple by 2035, the report said.
