New research suggests that the growth of the metaverse could have significant environmental benefits, including lowering global surface temperature by up to 0.02 degrees Celsius and reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 10 gigatons by 2050. The study highlights the potential of metaverse applications like remote work and virtual travel in contributing to decarbonization and energy efficiency.
The researchers projected metaverse expansion through 2050 along three different trajectories – slow, nominal, and fast – and they looked to previous technologies, such as television, the internet, and the iPhone, for insight into how quickly that adoption might occur. They also factored in the amount of energy that increasing usage would consume. The modeling suggested that within 30 years, the technology would be adopted by more than 90% of the population.
Currently, two of the biggest industry drivers of metaverse development are Meta and Microsoft, both of which contributed to the study. Meta has been focusing on individual experiences, such as gaming, while Microsoft specializes in business solutions, including remote conferencing and distance learning.“Think about the decarbonization of our transportation sector,” he said. “Electric vehicles work, but you can’t drive a car to London or Tokyo.
These findings could help policymakers understand how metaverse industry growth can accelerate progress toward achieving net-zero emissions targets and spur more flexible decarbonization strategies. Metaverse-based remote working, distance learning, and virtual tourism could be promoted to improve air quality.