Bitcoin mining could undermine China's efforts to reduce carbon emissions

The energy consumption related to cryptocurrency mining is a topic of debate among critics and advocates of these digital assets. Minting one Bitcoin requires a lot of electricity, which is at odds with the global movement to reduce carbon emissions. 

Bitcoin energy consumption might be a problem

A study conducted by Cambridge University indicates that Bitcoin mining accounts for approximately 130 Terawatt-hours of energy (TWh), equivalent to 0.6% of the world's electricity consumption.  

In simpler words, Bitcoin uses more electricity per year than Argentina.

Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple’s CEO, maintains that "one Bitcoin transaction is equivalent to 75 gallons of gasoline being burned." 

Meanwhile, Janet Yellen, U.S. Treasury Secretary said that Bitcoin represents an "extremely inefficient way of conducting transactions, and the amount of energy that's consumed in processing those transactions is staggering."

Crypto mining affects China’s carbon emissions reduction targets

A study by Chinese academics published in Nature Communications states that increased energy consumption by Bitcoin mining activity in China could counteract the country's efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

The researchers performed a data simulation and estimated that Bitcoin mining activity in China will gradually grow and peak at  296.59 TWh in 2024, generating roughly 130.50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s commitment to tackle climate change could result in a crackdown of the crypto mining industry in the nation. Since China accounts for more than 75% of the Bitcoin network's hashing power, the plans to cut down carbon dioxide emissions by over 65% by 2030 may be undermined.