Cryptocurrencies are often described as borderless, fast, and decentralised — but they’re not yet green. Behind the digital revolution in finance lies a growing environmental dilemma: the carbon footprint of crypto mining and blockchain activity.
Global regulators, technologists, and financial leaders met to explore a pressing question: Can crypto assets evolve in time to meet the demands of a sustainable world?
Crypto’s Carbon Reality
The numbers are stark. In 2022 alone, Bitcoin consumed approximately 107 terawatt hours (TWh) — more than many mid-sized countries. One Bitcoin transaction can emit as much CO2 as 800,000 Visa transactions.
Much of this stems from the proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism, which secures networks like Bitcoin by requiring massive computational effort. While this offers robust security, it comes at a high energy cost.
The Merge: A Turning Point for Green Crypto
In 2022, Ethereum made history by transitioning from PoW to proof-of-stake (PoS), reducing its energy use by 99.95%. This event — known as The Merge — was more than a technical upgrade. It was a signal that sustainability is now central to crypto’s future.
Other projects are following suit:
- Celo operates as a carbon-negative blockchain and supports nature-backed assets.
- NEAR Protocol integrates sustainability into its governance and public partnerships.
- Cardano aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals and funds verified reforestation.
Why Regulation Must Catch Up
Despite innovation, most global regulatory frameworks still lack clarity around:
- Crypto emissions tracking
- Sustainable crypto investment labelling
- Incentives for PoS or low-carbon protocols
Participants at the Point Zero Forum called for a common emissions accounting standard, public-private sandboxes, and a “green taxonomy” for crypto projects.
A New Role for Central Banks?
CBDCs — central bank digital currencies — could be a double-edged sword. If designed well, they could outcompete carbon-heavy crypto in payments. If not, they risk replicating energy inefficiencies at scale.
For regulators, the priority is tech neutrality + climate alignment — ensuring innovation doesn’t come at the expense of sustainability.
Crypto’s future is not just about finance — it’s about trust, governance, and climate alignment. From Ethereum to emerging PoS protocols, a more sustainable blockchain economy is not only possible — it’s already in motion.
Read the full report https://courses.cfte.education/cryptoassets-and-climate-change-report/
