TikTok’s Big Move: 5,100 Tonnes of CO₂ to Be Removed by 2030

TikTok is making a bold commitment to sustainability by pledging to eliminate 5,100 tonnes of CO₂ emissions from the atmosphere by 2030. This significant step underscores the platform’s growing acknowledgment of its environmental responsibilities, especially as its global video-streaming operations generate approximately 50 million tonnes of CO₂ annually—an amount comparable to the total emissions of Greece.

A close-up of a person recording a TikTok video about birds in the woods. AI generated picture.

The platform’s strategy involves partnering with Swiss carbon removal leader Climeworks, utilizing advanced technologies like Direct Air Capture (DAC), biochar, and reforestation. Together, these approaches form the core of TikTok’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality.

With a user base of over 1 billion worldwide, TikTok isn’t just an entertainment powerhouse—it’s now positioning itself as a leader in environmental action within the tech space. Despite competitors such as Meta and Google making headway on sustainability, TikTok has faced criticism for being less transparent about its emissions data.

A recent Greenly report revealed that just one minute on TikTok produces approximately 2.921 grams of CO₂e—a figure higher than YouTube but lower than Instagram. Given TikTok’s massive daily user engagement, its overall emissions outpace most other platforms.

The bulk of TikTok’s emissions comes from its energy-intensive data centers. While one of its facilities in Norway runs on renewable energy, others remain heavily reliant on fossil fuels. The new partnership with Climeworks is a pivotal move toward addressing these environmental challenges.

This carbon removal initiative could become a defining moment for how digital platforms tackle their environmental footprints. By investing in long-term carbon removal solutions, TikTok isn’t just contributing to global sustainability—it’s also shielding itself from potential future spikes in carbon prices.

As the platform moves closer to its 2030 carbon neutrality goal, its partnerships highlight a broader trend in corporate environmental strategies, where emissions reduction, carbon offsetting, and financial resilience go hand in hand. This effort could set a new benchmark for environmental responsibility across the tech industry—and for businesses worldwide, it’s a reminder that meaningful environmental action starts now.