Chasing Carbon: The Elusive Environmental Footprint of Computing

Udit Gupta; Young Geun Kim; Sylvia Lee; Jordan Tse; Hsien Hsin S. Lee; Gu Yeon Wei; David Brooks; Carole Jean Wu

doi:10.1109/HPCA51647.2021.00076

Chasing Carbon: The Elusive Environmental Footprint of Computing

Udit Gupta
, Young Geun Kim
, Sylvia Lee
, Jordan Tse
, Hsien Hsin S. Lee
, Gu Yeon Wei
, David Brooks
, Carole Jean Wu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

168 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Given recent algorithm, software, and hardware innovation, computing has enabled a plethora of new applications. As computing becomes increasingly ubiquitous, however, so does its environmental impact. This paper brings the issue to the attention of computer-systems researchers. Our analysis, built on industry-reported characterization, quantifies the environmental effects of computing in terms of carbon emissions. Broadly, carbon emissions have two sources: operational energy consumption, and hardware manufacturing and infrastructure. Although carbon emissions from the former are decreasing thanks to algorithmic, software, and hardware innovations that boost performance and power efficiency, the overall carbon footprint of computer systems continues to grow. This work quantifies the carbon output of computer systems to show that most emissions related to modern mobile and data-center equipment come from hardware manufacturing and infrastructure. We therefore outline future directions for minimizing the environmental impact of computing systems.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceeding - 27th IEEE International Symposium on High Performance Computer Architecture, HPCA 2021
Publisher	IEEE Computer Society
Pages	854-867
Number of pages	14
ISBN (Electronic)	9780738123370
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/HPCA51647.2021.00076
Publication status	Published - 2021 Feb
Externally published	Yes
Event	27th Annual IEEE International Symposium on High Performance Computer Architecture, HPCA 2021 - Virtual, Seoul, Korea, Republic of Duration: 2021 Feb 27 → 2021 Mar 1

Publication series

Name	Proceedings - International Symposium on High-Performance Computer Architecture
Volume	2021-February
ISSN (Print)	1530-0897

Conference

Conference	27th Annual IEEE International Symposium on High Performance Computer Architecture, HPCA 2021
Country/Territory	Korea, Republic of
City	Virtual, Seoul
Period	21/2/27 → 21/3/1

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 IEEE.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Keywords

carbon footprint
Data center
energy
mobile

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Hardware and Architecture

Access to Document

10.1109/HPCA51647.2021.00076

Cite this

Gupta, U., Kim, Y. G., Lee, S., Tse, J., Lee, H. H. S., Wei, G. Y., Brooks, D., & Wu, C. J. (2021). Chasing Carbon: The Elusive Environmental Footprint of Computing. In Proceeding - 27th IEEE International Symposium on High Performance Computer Architecture, HPCA 2021 (pp. 854-867). Article 9407142 (Proceedings - International Symposium on High-Performance Computer Architecture; Vol. 2021-February). IEEE Computer Society. https://doi.org/10.1109/HPCA51647.2021.00076

Chasing Carbon: The Elusive Environmental Footprint of Computing. / Gupta, Udit; Kim, Young Geun; Lee, Sylvia et al.
Proceeding - 27th IEEE International Symposium on High Performance Computer Architecture, HPCA 2021. IEEE Computer Society, 2021. p. 854-867 9407142 (Proceedings - International Symposium on High-Performance Computer Architecture; Vol. 2021-February).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Gupta, U, Kim, YG, Lee, S, Tse, J, Lee, HHS, Wei, GY, Brooks, D & Wu, CJ 2021, Chasing Carbon: The Elusive Environmental Footprint of Computing. in Proceeding - 27th IEEE International Symposium on High Performance Computer Architecture, HPCA 2021., 9407142, Proceedings - International Symposium on High-Performance Computer Architecture, vol. 2021-February, IEEE Computer Society, pp. 854-867, 27th Annual IEEE International Symposium on High Performance Computer Architecture, HPCA 2021, Virtual, Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 21/2/27. https://doi.org/10.1109/HPCA51647.2021.00076

Gupta U, Kim YG, Lee S, Tse J, Lee HHS, Wei GY et al. Chasing Carbon: The Elusive Environmental Footprint of Computing. In Proceeding - 27th IEEE International Symposium on High Performance Computer Architecture, HPCA 2021. IEEE Computer Society. 2021. p. 854-867. 9407142. (Proceedings - International Symposium on High-Performance Computer Architecture). doi: 10.1109/HPCA51647.2021.00076

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abstract = "Given recent algorithm, software, and hardware innovation, computing has enabled a plethora of new applications. As computing becomes increasingly ubiquitous, however, so does its environmental impact. This paper brings the issue to the attention of computer-systems researchers. Our analysis, built on industry-reported characterization, quantifies the environmental effects of computing in terms of carbon emissions. Broadly, carbon emissions have two sources: operational energy consumption, and hardware manufacturing and infrastructure. Although carbon emissions from the former are decreasing thanks to algorithmic, software, and hardware innovations that boost performance and power efficiency, the overall carbon footprint of computer systems continues to grow. This work quantifies the carbon output of computer systems to show that most emissions related to modern mobile and data-center equipment come from hardware manufacturing and infrastructure. We therefore outline future directions for minimizing the environmental impact of computing systems.",

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Chasing Carbon: The Elusive Environmental Footprint of Computing

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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Cite this