2017绿色云端（英文版）_100页_3mb

CLICKING CLEAN: WHO IS WINNING THE RACE TO BUILD A GREEN INTERNET?

Core Content Overview

The document titled "Clicking Clean: Who Is Winning the Race to Build a Green Internet?" examines the energy consumption and sustainability efforts of major internet companies, colocation and CDN providers, video and music streaming services, search engines, and e-commerce platforms. It emphasizes the growing importance of renewable energy in powering the digital world and highlights the role of corporate commitment and advocacy in driving the transition to a renewably powered economy.

Main Viewpoints

1. The Internet's Energy Footprint

   • The IT sector is a major consumer of global electricity, currently accounting for about 7% of global electricity demand.
   • With the anticipated threefold increase in internet traffic by 2020, the energy demand of the internet is expected to grow significantly, potentially surpassing 12% by 2017 and increasing by at least 7% annually through 2030.

2. The Role of Renewable Energy

   • A fully renewably powered internet can accelerate the transition to renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
   • Companies that commit to 100% renewable energy are leading the way in driving sustainability and setting an example for others.

3. Corporate Commitment and Advocacy

   • Major companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook have been at the forefront of renewable energy commitments since 2009.
   • These companies are using their influence to push for renewable energy access, both through procurement and advocacy.
   • Switch is highlighted as a new leader in the colocation sector for its aggressive efforts to transition to renewable energy.

4. Challenges and Barriers

   • Many companies are using shortcuts to claim renewable energy use, which may not be genuine and could undermine progress.
   • Lack of transparency remains a significant issue, especially for companies like AWS, Tencent, and Baidu.
   • In East Asia, the dominance of monopoly utilities that rely heavily on coal is a major obstacle to the adoption of renewable energy.

5. Policy and Advocacy Importance

   • Corporate advocacy is essential to push for policy changes and renewable energy infrastructure.
   • In the United States, the election of Donald Trump has raised concerns about the rollback of climate policies, making advocacy even more crucial.

Key Findings

• Apple and Google continue to lead in the platform sector with strong renewable energy commitments and transparent operations.
• Switch leads in the colocation and CDN sector with a 100% Clean Energy Index and high advocacy scores.
• YouTube and WhatsApp score well in the music/audio and messaging sectors, respectively, showing strong commitments to renewable energy.
• Amazon Prime and eBay have made progress in renewable procurement, but still have room for improvement.
• Netflix and Hulu are major contributors to data demand, but fall short in renewable energy commitment and transparency.
• Tencent, Baidu, and Alibaba have poor scores, with a high reliance on coal and low transparency.
• South Korea has limited renewable energy access due to monopoly utilities, but Gangwon Province is making progress with the first 100% renewable data center.

Critical Issues

• Shortcuts in Renewable Claims: Some companies are using renewable energy deals as a way to appear green without making real progress toward 100% renewable operations.
• Energy Transparency: Many companies, especially in East Asia, lack transparency in their energy usage and procurement, which hinders accountability and progress.
• Coal Reliance in Data Centers: The expansion of data centers in regions with low renewable energy access, such as Virginia, is increasing coal and natural gas consumption.
• Need for Advocacy: Corporate advocacy is crucial to drive policy changes and promote renewable energy adoption, especially in markets where utilities are resistant to change.

Conclusion

The race to build a green internet is ongoing, with some companies leading the way in renewable energy commitment and advocacy. However, the sector as a whole faces significant challenges, including a lack of transparency, reliance on fossil fuels, and the dominance of utility monopolies in certain regions. For a sustainable future, companies must not only make commitments but also act decisively and advocate for systemic change in energy policy and infrastructure.