Video Managed Servers Co., has reported that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment is estimated to account for up to 4% of global carbon emissions, following sectors like electricity, heat, transport, manufacturing and construction.

Carbon emissions

Reportedly, producing 1 kg of ICT equipment, like laptops, generates about 200 kg of CO₂e emissions; comparable to a family car driving 1,650km.

With some servers weighing over 20 kg, the scale of the issue becomes clear.

Recycling ICT equipment is said to offset approximately 4kg out of the 200kg of emissions.

Carbon offsetting, which involves supporting nature-based or renewable projects, also contributes to emission reductions; however, this approach reportedly addresses emissions indirectly instead of dealing with the root causes.

A societal issue: Disposing ICT equipment in landfills

Nick Bowden, Director, Video Management Servers Co said: “The issue is our readiness, as a society, to dispose of ICT equipment in landfills, not reuse it, generating another 200 kg of emissions per kg of the replacement.

“The prime reason cited being the need for warranties.”

Bowden continued: “MOSS Managed On-Site Servers are renewed servers which are owned, managed, maintained and warrantied by us.

“We have statistics for the longevity of the individual ICT components and boards in the server.

“This means, when we rebuild the proven boards in ‘as-new’ servers we can easily offer a seven-year warranty or more, with field-engineer support.”

“A mindset change”

Bowden finalised: “Government hasn’t formalised a carbon offset policy for ‘reuse’ yet but is considering one, as reusing ICT products would clearly impact carbon emissions far more than recycling or carbon offsetting.

“However, a mindset change on renewed servers is required, which we hope to achieve with MOSS.

“Reusing ICT equipment must be core to any carbon emissions strategy as recycling and carbon offsetting is simply not enough.”