Bitcoin CO2 Emissions Reach 114 Million Tonnes Per Year, Digiconomist Says

A Digiconomist report ties Bitcoin’s energy use to sizable CO2 emissions and a significant water footprint, highlighting environmental concerns around mining.

Rich by Coin

2026-02-21

The Bitcoin network generates 114 million tonnes of CO2 per year, roughly matching the Czech Republic according to figures from Digiconomist. It also consumes about 3,222 gigalitres of drinking water. These figures underscore the energy intensity of Bitcoin’s network.

Digiconomist notes that a single bitcoin transaction currently generates as much CO2 as watching around 117,000 hours of YouTube videos or processing 1.5 million Visa transactions. This per-transaction comparison highlights the carbon footprint embedded in Bitcoin activity. These figures contribute to ongoing discussions about cryptocurrency sustainability and energy policy.