Tara Malhotra

May Free Report 2023

Video game companies become environmentally conscious

Many businesses that contribute to climate change are the target of environmental laws. But, according to The Washington Post, another industry is now striving to be eco-friendly: video game companies.

In August, an organization called AfterClimate was created by Dr. Benjamin Abraham to help game developers and companies that produce video game consoles reduce harmful emissions that come with production. The project immediately gained global recognition, being published in many newspapers across the world.

AfterClimate’s goal is to work towards net zero emissions; this refers to an equal amount of greenhouse gases being emitted and removed from the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are mostly caused by human activity and trap heat in the atmosphere, resulting in global warming. The video games’ manufacturing and shipping process contributes to almost 3.7 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Earth.org reported in December of 2021.

The amount of emissions depends on how video games are created and used. First, video game consoles are made from copper, nickel, gold, and zinc, which need to be mined; mining harms the environment and forces out greenhouse gases. These materials also make video games difficult to recycle. In addition, video game storage requires lots of energy, which also contributes to the greenhouse gas problem. 

To combat this issue, AfterClimate strives to educate video game companies about sustainable production methods and support them in accomplishing a greener future. When a company contacts them, AfterClimate will gather data from electricity bills and power sources to determine how much energy is in use. They will then help the company brainstorm how to cut down on emissions. These solutions could be anything from switching to a more natural power source or redesigning consoles with renewable materials.  

Although these solutions take time, Abraham believes that this project will be crucial in preventing further global warming—and recent research supports this claim. In April, the American Broadcasting Company News (ABC News) found that gaming uses the same amount of energy as five million cars. Computers and consoles also make up 50 million tons of electronic waste each year. Furthermore, the United Nations Environmental Programme found that only 20 percent of video game equipment is recycled.

Regardless of their success, Abraham hopes AfterClimate will reach people outside of the video game industry and teach them about the importance of prioritizing our planet. Though more sustainable video game companies are just a small part of the solution, AfterClimate is still trying to make a difference.