TPRC 2024: The 52nd Research Conference on Communications, Information and Inter

Link to paper

Abstract:
The environmental impact of large tech companies has come under intense scrutiny, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic and the frenzy about Generative AI have driven increased demand for ICT infrastructures and services. Unsurprisingly, calls for more transparency and the disclosure of sustainability-related metrics by these companies have grown over time. This paper explores the sustainability reporting strategies of large tech firms, with a focus on decarbonization and data centers. We examine critical areas such as greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy usage, and energy efficiency through a longitudinal comparative analysis of sustainability reporting activities from 2003 to 2023. Our sample includes nine leading tech companies from the US (Akamai, Amazon, Apple, Facebook/Meta, Google/Alphabet, Microsoft) and China (Alibaba, Baidu, Tencent). The analysis highlights a convergence among these companies towards publishing dedicated sustainability reports, providing more comprehensive and nuanced insights into supply chains and data centers, and emphasizing carbon neutrality and 100% renewable energy usage. A notable trend is the shift in focus from energy efficiency to renewable energy supply and from operational emissions to value chain emissions. Based on a critical discussion, we offer valuable insights for different stakeholders.