Modeling and Reduction of Video Streaming's Environmental Impact

• Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Christian Josef Herglotz
• Subject Area: Communication Technology and Networks, High-Frequency Technology and Photonic Systems, Signal Processing and Machine Learning for Information Technology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 569014998

Video consumption plays a significant part in the environmental impact (EI) of the digital world. The most significant part of the EI comes from the terminal manufacturing and its consumption during the video display. Nowadays, the viewing of online videos has a significant influence on global greenhouse gas (GhG) emissions with a share of 1% in 2017. This trend is unsustainable, and solutions must be found to reduce the EI of the video ecosystem. Two approaches can be considered to reduce video's EI. Based on digital sobriety, the first lever aims to reduce the number of transmitted videos by changing the user behavior and the operating rules of video services. The second lever is to provide technological solutions that are more efficient in terms of GHG emissions. For both levers, a model is needed to assess the EI of the entire video delivery chain (end-to-end: data center, core & access network, media terminal), so that decisions can be made that have a real influence on reducing the video ecosystem’s EI. To this end, this project aims to develop an EI model of the global video delivery chain, integrating a life cycle assessment of the different chain elements. This means that the emissions produced during the manufacturing and the use of video equipment will be investigated in detail. The joint emission model will then assess the effectiveness of different scenarios acting on reducing the VEI. A wide range of solutions will be considered, from technological optimizations to regulation through commercial offering transformation.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: France
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Francois-Xavier Coudoux; Professor Daniel Ménard