The Aid for Rural Education Access Initiative (AREAi), in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), has developed an Artificial Intelligence-powered carbon footprint calculator to mitigate the environmental impact of the country’s growing technology ecosystem.
According to the developers, the AI-driven greenhouse gas emission calculator platform enables individuals and business owners to measure and track their carbon footprint as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the country.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Executive Director of AREAi, Mr Gideon Olarenwaju, disclosed that the tool was developed under the Smart Climate Awareness Learning and Empowerment (SCALE) for Net Zero initiative, adding that the AI tool enables users to input data related to internet consumption, energy use, and device ownership to determine their greenhouse gas emissions.
He further explained that the platform categorises emissions into Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 to provide a clearer picture of environmental impact, mentioning that the global average for carbon emissions per individual is between four and six metric tons per year.
He emphasised that the tool was designed for widespread use across different industries, allowing businesses and individuals to monitor their carbon impact and take steps toward a net-zero transition.
The Country Lead for the UK government’s Global Digital Access Program, Idongesit Udoh, stated that the SCALE Initiative is a digital access program that seeks to harness the relationship between digital technology and the environment.
READ ALSO:UK FCDO laments non implementation of Police Act 2020
He noted that with Nigeria’s growing digital economy—which has significantly contributed to the GDP and provided employment and financial opportunities—there is also a need to examine the impact of technological growth on the environment, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
He said the project aims to assess both the environmental impact and the commercial opportunities that can emerge from sustainable digital practices.
Acting Director at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Emmanuel Edet, in his keynote presentation on “Balancing Digital Advancement with Environmental Sustainability,” stated that the information technology sector contributes 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Giving a breakdown of the environmental cost of the digital ecosystem, Edet stated that the production of a single smartphone generates 55 kg of carbon dioxide (CO₂), 5 minutes of streaming on Netflix generates between 55 to 100 kg of CO₂, and sending 20 emails daily for a year can emit as much CO₂ as driving 1,000 kilometres.
He stressed the need to adopt a National Green Technology Policy by increasing the use of renewable energy and reducing electronic waste through recycling.
