Polygon Labs Unveils Advanced Sustainability Dashboard to Measure Environmental Impact
Polygon Labs has introduced a groundbreaking Sustainability Dashboard, developed in partnership with the Crypto Carbon Ratings Institute (CCRI), to deliver a new level of transparency regarding the environmental impact of its blockchain infrastructure. This dashboard aims to set a new benchmark in sustainability reporting within the Web3 ecosystem.
Key Features of the Sustainability Dashboard
The new Polygon Network Sustainability Dashboard offers real-time insights into the electricity consumption and carbon emissions associated with operations on the Polygon blockchain, including its PoS network and zkEVM layer. The platform is aligned with anticipated Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulations proposed by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).
Highlights include:
Detailed climate impact metrics for both Layer 2 activities and base-layer (Ethereum) transactions, accounting for holdings and transfers.
A wallet-based emissions calculator that allows users to enter their wallet address and receive emissions data for their activities with daily precision.
An updated carbon accounting methodology, integrating both location-based and market-based reporting, aligned with GHG Protocol standards.
Inclusion of sustainability indicators anticipated in MiCA’s upcoming regulatory framework.
Dashboard toggling to compare sustainability metrics across different Polygon components (PoS vs. zkEVM).
Reinforcing Commitment to Sustainability
This initiative builds upon Polygon’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, which began with the release of its Green Manifesto in April 2022. With this dashboard, Polygon Labs continues to lead the charge in aligning blockchain technology with global climate goals.
According to Polygon Labs, the tool is designed to catalyze collaboration between developers, scientists, climate leaders, and community members. Its goal is to create a foundation for actionable climate solutions within the Web3 space.
Upcoming Enhancements
Polygon plans to expand the dashboard to cover upcoming infrastructure solutions like Polygon Miden and Polygon CDK. One major enhancement will focus on identifying the origin of the electricity powering validator nodes with more granularity.
An early analysis of validators on Polygon PoS revealed:
35% of validators rely exclusively on AWS cloud services, and 22% use Hetzner.
When including those using multiple providers, these figures rise to 38% (AWS) and 28% (Hetzner).
AWS reported 90% renewable energy usage in 2022 and aims for 100% by 2025.
Hetzner already operates using 100% hydropower.
Emissions Accounting: Location-Based vs. Market-Based
The GHG Protocol recommends two parallel approaches to electricity emissions accounting:
Location-Based: Calculates emissions based on the regional grid’s average intensity, using data from the International Energy Agency.
Market-Based: Uses emissions figures from specific energy contracts or certificates, reflecting renewable energy commitments.
Using the market-based method, Polygon PoS’s carbon footprint is approximately 80% lower — around 71 g/kWh compared to 381 g/kWh via the location-based approach. Analysis also shows that 53% of the validator network already operates on 100% renewable energy.
However, full adoption of market-based accounting requires verifiable data on renewable energy use. Polygon Labs is actively gathering this data and aims to update the dashboard accordingly. An action plan is also being developed to assist validators in transitioning to green energy sources.
Toward a Greener Web3
The launch of this dashboard marks a significant milestone in integrating environmental responsibility into blockchain infrastructure. It is part of Polygon Labs’ broader vision to support climate-conscious innovation and promote sustainability at the protocol level.
Polygon Labs encourages community engagement, continued feedback, and collaboration as they refine the dashboard and expand its capabilities across the ecosystem.
For ongoing updates and detailed insights into Polygon’s sustainability journey, follow their blog and social media channels.
Together, we can build a decentralized future that’s transparent, sustainable, and equitable for all.