Sustainability has become a central concern for companies, governments and users.
And in this context, it is common for blockchain technology to receive criticism for its energy consumption and its supposed environmental impact.
But how much of this concern is based on real data and how much is based on myths from the past?
In this article, we clarify how energy consumption works on blockchains, which networks are sustainable today, and how to choose a Web3 infrastructure compatible with your environmental impact objectives.
The origin of the myth: Bitcoin and Proof of Work
Why is blockchain said to pollute?
Most of the criticisms come from the model of Proof of Work (PoW), which use networks such as Bitcoin. This model requires large amounts of energy to validate transactions, as miners compete by solving complex mathematical problems.
Estimated energy consumption (2024)
- Bitcoin: ~100 TWh per year (comparable to consumption in countries such as Argentina or Sweden).
- Ethereum (before the switch to PoS): ~85 TWh per year.
This model guarantees security, but at the cost of a high energy footprint.
The switch to Proof of Stake: sustainability under way
Ethereum marked a before and after
In September 2022, Ethereum completed “The Merge” and migrated to Proof of Stake (PoS), reducing its energy consumption by more than 99.95%.
With PoS, validators replace miners. Instead of competing with computing power, they are probabilistically selected from those who have deposited funds as collateral (stake).
Outturn
- Lower energy consumption.
- Same security and decentralization.
- Lower barrier to entry for operating a node
Can Web3 be an ally of sustainability?
Use cases aligned with environmental impact:
- Traceability of sustainable supply chains (agriculture, fashion, recycling).
- Tokenization of carbon credits with public verification.
- Decentralized governance systems for energy communities.
- Impact projects funded by DAOs with ESG criteria.
In addition, The inherent transparency of blockchain makes it possible to audit the environmental impact in an open and verifiable way, something that does not always happen in closed systems.
How to choose a sustainable blockchain?
When evaluating the sustainability of a blockchain network, consider:
- Consensus mechanism: Avoid Proof of Work if you're looking for energy efficiency.
- Energy footprint of validators: PoS allows participation from common teams.
- Second layer (L2) infrastructure: improves scalability without doubling impact.
- Emissions compensation: Some networks neutralize or compensate for their consumption.
Is it possible to have a blockchain without impact?
Like all technology, Does blockchain have an environmental impact, but with current advances and the right decisions, it can be minimal and manageable.
What's more, Web3 allows you to build tools for measure, mitigate and offset emissions more transparently than traditional solutions.
Conclusion: sustainability yes, but with judgment
Not all blockchains are the same. If you hear that “blockchain pollutes”, be sure to ask What network, what model and with what data. Many current networks are more efficient than Web2 services such as YouTube or Netflix per transaction.
Nowadays you can develop dApps, marketplaces or decentralized infrastructures without compromising your sustainable values. The key is to choose well.
At Unknown Gravity, we help you build Web3 with purpose: scalable, accessible and with real positive impact.