The global phenomenon of TikTok, celebrated for its captivating short videos, casts a long shadow on the environment. A recent study by Greenly, a prominent carbon accounting firm, reveals that TikTok’s annual carbon emissions are staggering, potentially exceeding those of a small European nation like Greece.
Greenly’s analysis paints a stark picture of TikTok’s environmental impact. The study estimates that TikTok’s global carbon emissions in 2023 reached approximately 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). This figure is a cause for concern, surpassing Greece’s 2023 emissions of 51.67 million metric tons.
Focusing on key markets, Greenly found that TikTok’s emissions in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France alone amounted to 7.6 million metric tons of CO2e. This surpasses the emissions of other social media platforms like Twitter/X and Snapchat within the same regions. Considering that these three countries represent a relatively small portion of TikTok’s global user base (approximately 15%), the platform’s overall emissions are likely significantly higher.
 The Algorithm’s Role in Fueling Emissions
TikTok’s unique algorithm and content model contribute significantly to its substantial carbon footprint. Unlike platforms like Instagram, where users typically spend around 30.6 minutes per day, TikTok users are enticed to scroll for an average of 45.5 minutes. This prolonged engagement translates to increased data center usage and energy consumption, as explained by Alexis Normand, CEO of Greenly.
Data centers, the backbone of TikTok’s operations, are the primary drivers of its emissions, accounting for a substantial 99% of its carbon footprint. While charging devices after using the app contributes to emissions, its impact is relatively smaller.
A Comparison of Carbon Footprints
When comparing emissions per minute of use, TikTok ranks second among major social media platforms, closely trailing YouTube. Greenly’s analysis shows that each minute spent on TikTok generates 2.921 grams of CO2e, slightly lower than YouTube’s 2.923 grams and Instagram’s 2.912 grams. However, TikTok’s longer average usage time leads to higher annual emissions per user:
* TikTok: 48.49kg of CO2e per user annually (equivalent to driving a gasoline car 123 miles).
* YouTube: 40.17kg of CO2e per user annually (102 miles).
* Instagram: 32.52kg of CO2e per user annually (82.8 miles).
These seemingly small per-minute differences compound due to TikTok’s highly engaging format, resulting in a larger overall environmental impact.
Unlike major tech giants like Meta and Google, TikTok has not publicly disclosed its emissions data. Platforms such as Facebook and YouTube provide detailed emissions reports to the Carbon Disclosure Project and outline their efforts to reduce their environmental impact. TikTok’s lack of transparency hinders a comprehensive assessment of its full environmental footprint.
 TikTok’s “Project Clover”: A Path to Carbon Neutrality?
Despite the lack of transparency, TikTok has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 through its initiative, “Project Clover.” This project aims to address data security concerns while transitioning to renewable energy sources. TikTok has made strides by constructing a €12 billion renewable energy-powered data center in Norway. However, the progress made toward its carbon neutrality goal remains unclear.
Furthermore, the effectiveness of such commitments is subject to scrutiny. An investigation by The Guardian revealed that many tech companies utilize offset-like Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to underreport their emissions, sometimes by a significant margin. Whether TikTok’s initiatives will adhere to stricter standards and accurately reflect its environmental impact remains uncertain.
The future of TikTok’s environmental policies may be influenced by regulatory changes and potential ownership shifts. A U.S. appeals court has upheld a law requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to sell the platform to a non-Chinese entity by January 2025. ByteDance is currently seeking to delay this transition, hoping for a more favorable outcome under a potential future Trump administration.
If TikTok is acquired by a U.S.-based company, it may face stricter disclosure requirements. A new law mandates companies to report emissions if they are deemed “material” to investors. However, the enforcement of these rules could be subject to political fluctuations, potentially leading to reduced transparency.
TikTok’s meteoric rise has come at a significant environmental cost. With an annual carbon footprint that rivals that of a small nation, the platform faces increasing pressure to address its environmental impact. The addictive nature of TikTok’s algorithm, which encourages prolonged usage, is a key factor driving its environmental footprint.
While TikTok’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030 is a step in the right direction, its lack of transparency and slow progress in adopting renewable energy raise concerns. As regulatory frameworks evolve and ownership uncertainties persist, TikTok’s ability to fulfill its sustainability goals will be closely monitored. The future of this digital giant hinges not only on its user engagement but also on its commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.
