Net Zero + Nature: Netflix’s commitment by 2022

In line with the Paris Agreement’s mandate to keep global warming to 1.5°C, Netflix has pledged to cut its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 45% by 2030. By 2021, Netflix pledges to offset all emissions, including Scope 3 emissions, that it cannot avoid internally by funding carbon offset initiatives that protect vital biodiversity in places like tropical forests. A scientific approach that meets the criteria of the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) will make this possible. In order to provide advice on the future of the planet, the streaming juggernaut also established a free-standing advisory panel of professionals. According to Netflix, its strategy follows the most recent recommendations made by Oxford University and accomplishes all 10 Science Based Targets.

“Netflix is demonstrating to the world how to effectively combine reducing GHG emissions (black carbon) with restoring natural carbon sinks (green carbon). By demonstrating this both in front of and behind the camera, they have the potential to bring about transformative change “Dr. Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and a member of Netflix’s expert advisory council, says.

Netflix Launches New Collection of ‘Sustainability Stories’ in Partnership with COP26 Organizers

Netflix is well on its way to becoming a leader in climate action in and of itself. Last year, about 160 million households watched sustainability-related content on Netflix. Through its Net Zero + Nature initiative, the company aims to have net zero greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the following year.

Your Netflix habit has a small carbon footprint, according to a new study

According to a climate organization, watching online video for an hour causes the atmosphere to absorb the equivalent of 55 grams of carbon dioxide. Researchers and Netflix, which contributed to the funding of the work, are encouraged by the results. They demonstrate that streaming has a lower carbon footprint than previous calculations suggested. Although watching a show online has a smaller environmental impact than, say, making a new movie, businesses are always looking for ways to increase sustainability. Andie Stephens, lead author of the white paper and associate director at the Carbon Trust, remarked that there was “a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding about the carbon impact of video streaming.” With the exception of a small amount from data centers, the centralized hubs where Internet information is processed and stored, the remaining emissions are primarily produced by home web routers and distribution networks. The white paper’s authors also looked into whether viewing content in high definition had a bigger effect on emissions than viewing it in standard definition.

Researchers from the University of Bristol and a UK media company have been attempting to shed more light on the negative environmental effects of streaming. The physical creation of new content accounts for about 50% of Netflix’s emissions, while corporate operations account for 45%. By the end of 2022, Netflix wants to have net-zero carbon emissions.

Carbon cost of watching Netflix | TV streaming | The Guardian

The carbon footprint of streaming video is higher than you might think. From Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada, Laura U. Marks and Daniel Schien wrote Tackling the Carbon Footprint of Streaming Media. ICT is estimated to have a carbon footprint that is between 3.3% and 3.8% higher than that of the airline industry by some IT engineers. This infrastructure will continue to grow as consumers become enamored with data-intensive streaming, computation-intensive blockchain, and AI. Our carbon footprint will grow the more we succumb to the siren calls of high-definition streaming video and blockchain.

Netflix’s good resolutions: greenwashing or sincere ambition? – Lighthouse

Only 20% of commitments satisfy the requirements of the UN’s “Race to Zero” campaign. In order to protect Kenyan forests, Netflix intends to contribute to the Lightning Creek Ranch project and the Kasigau Corridor REDD+. Second, they wanted to support programs that would protect current carbon storage. By the end of 2022, and then every year after, Netflix will have net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, according to Netflix Sustainability Officer Emma Stewart. Three different action categories make up the plan.

The company released an update in September that detailed their “Optimize, Electrify, Decarbonize” strategy. In other words, Netflix tries to replace assets that use fossil fuels with those that run on electricity after improving its energy efficiency (such as cars). The process of becoming carbon neutral is more difficult than it appears, according to Jean-Marc Jancovici. Since 15% of their carbon footprint is attributed to air travel, they also invest in decarbonizing the industry. Nevertheless, some researchers dispute the validity of the idea of carbon neutrality.