The energy required to make chips that underpin everything from electric cars to ballistic missiles is poised to skyrocket this decade. Without a more ambitious pivot to clean power, those operations threaten the climate, according to Greenpeace.
“Most electronics industry suppliers studied have set long-term targets for carbon reduction, but their timelines do not reflect the level of ambition that is necessary in the face of catastrophic climate change,” Greenpeace said in the report. “To achieve neutral emissions will require adopting 100 percent renewable energy by 2030.”
In South Korea, Samsung’s electricity consumption from making chips is projected to reach 55 terawatt hours by 2030, higher than Singapore’s entire annual electricity consumption three years ago, according to Greenpeace.