Binging on Netflix and Disney Plus might seem like a harmless pastime.
But experts say it is fueling the climate crisis, by pumping out vast quantities of greenhouse gases.
A new report reveals that the global TV and video streaming industry emits 54 million tonnes of CO2 per year, or about four per cent of total global emissions.
That’s double that of the aviation industry (two per cent) and four times that of the data centre industry (one per cent).
Streaming services have a negative effect on the environment due to the power required to transfer data – a large proportion of which is generated by non-renewable energy sources like gas and coal.
‘It is the responsibility of the entire industry to make changes that will improve the sustainability of the TV and video sector,’ said Lionel Oisel, InterDigital’s head of video labs.
‘What isn’t common knowledge is the impact the TV and video streaming industry has – which is in fact, double the emissions from the airline industry.’
However, on a more positive note, TVs and other streaming devices like smartphones have become energy-efficient, the research reveals.
Binging on Netflix may seem like a harmless pastime, but experts say it is fuelling a climate crisis (file photo)
TVs generated around 54 million tonnes of CO2 in 2024, roughly equivalent to the annual emissions from 11.7 million passenger vehicles
For users to watch content on Netflix and other streaming services, data has to travel through a network of energy-sapping cables, routers and data centres.
Data centres house and power the millions of computers, known as ‘servers’, that are required to make the internet work – but they require huge amounts of electricity 24/7.
With energy being generated from electricity – a by-product of burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil – this can produce a lot of harmful carbon dioxide (CO2).
While the TV and video industry has historically been seen as a relatively low-carbon emitter, streaming is becoming more energy-intensive, says InterDigital.
More people are relying on streaming platforms to watch content either on-demand or live – even if that content is available through an over-the-air TV signal.
The new report, ‘Spotlight on Sustainability: Towards a greener TV and video value chain’, was written with market research firm Futuresource.
It analyses the carbon footprint created by the TV and streaming industry, from the point of production to delivery and consumption.
According to the experts, TVs generated around 54 MtCO2e in 2024, roughly equivalent to the annual emissions from 11.7 million passenger vehicles.
For users to watch content on Netflix and other streaming services, data has to travel through a network of energy-sapping cables, routers and data centres (pictured)
As of October, Netflix’s paying subscribers grew to a record 282.7 million in the three months before 30 September
Video as a proportion of all internet traffic continues to rise, with industry estimates placing at 80 per cent of total traffic impacting the CO2 output from data centres.
Meanwhile, total energy consumption across video devices, including TVs, set-top boxes, and smartphones, reached 357 terawatt-hour (TWh) in 2024.
The problem is escalating because more people are switching to streaming services like Netflix, as well as buying 4K and 8K TVs, which use more energy.
There are now 2.2 billion TVs globally, including 858 million 4K TVs – up 18 per cent since 2022, the report says.
Royal Society previously estimated that that streaming one hour on a smartphone generates roughly eight times more emissions in 4K or UHD (Ultra High Definition) compared with SD (Standard Definition).
The new report also highlights how big global sporting events that draw billions of viewers, such as the Paris Olympics and Euros football tournament last summer, boost streaming’s carbon footprint.
Global carbon emissions from sports currently stands at 300 MtCO2e per year, equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of Poland.
Fortunately, video entertainment devices overall are getting more energy-efficient and are steadily replacing older models that are less environmentally-friendly, the paper adds.
An 8K TV is a TV that has a screen with 7,680 horizontal and 4,320 vertical pixels for a total of approximately 33 million pixels. So 8K gives a better image for viewers, but are associated with a higher carbon footprint. The report says the overall energy consumption for video entertainment devices is going down and will continue to do so
Overall energy consumption for video entertainment devices – which includes TVs, set-top boxes, media streamers, gaming consoles, smartphones, and tablets – has declined by 17 per cent since 2020, with another 12 per cent reduction expected by 2028, as older devices are replaced with more energy-efficient alternatives
It also highlights how big global events that draw billions of viewers, such as the Paris Olympics and Euros football tournament last summer, boost streaming’s carbon footprint
Overall energy consumption for video entertainment devices – which includes TVs, set-top boxes, media streamers, gaming consoles, smartphones, and tablets – has declined by 17 per cent since 2020 and will see another 12 per cent reduction by 2028.
The report examines emerging solutions to mitigate the environmental impact, such as ‘pixel value reduction’ (PVR), which reduces the brightness of individual pixels on a screen.
Investments in AI and other brightness-adjustment technologies mean that energy consumption of TVs could decline by 15 per cent by 2028.
‘While change is being made, more can and should be done,’ said Mr Oisel.
‘Technologies like PVR have the potential to make significant energy savings, even when applied to special events like the Olympics.
‘If this was applied universally, the benefits could be huge, and a game changer for the industry.’
By 2030, Netflix is targeting a 46 per cent reduction in emissions, to be achieved through content ‘supply chain improvement’ and more efficient on-site solar and battery storage systems.
Meanwhile, TV manufacturer Sony is targeting net zero emission target by 2040.
