As in all complex issues, something may be generally true but not true for a specific situation. This seems to be happening with cloud computing as a sustainable technology for businesses looking to get the public relations and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) points for being green.
The trouble with cloud computing is that each deployment is different and includes a different mix of technologies. Total carbon footprint is based on a complex array of factors that determine how much power is needed. Is the cloud a sustainable technology? The answer is one that so many people hate: “It depends.”
Today, all the hyperscalers boast that their clouds are green and are moving to zero emissions. That’s all true, and good for them; however, when it comes to the greenness of specific cloud deployments for specific enterprises we’re left saying, “yes, this part is green, but this part isn’t green.” It’s deployment-dependent.