Accedo study reveals major energy consumption gaps between streaming devices

The findings underscore that hardware choice and UI design are critical levers for reducing streaming's environmental impact. As the industry faces mounting pressure to meet ESG targets, software-level optimizations—such as disabling autoplay and adopting darker UI skins—offer a immediate path to efficiency without requiring hardware replacement. For engineers and product leads, this signals a shift where power efficiency becomes a standard performance metric alongside latency and bitrate. Watch for a rise in 'Eco-mode' certifications as streaming platforms increasingly integrate energy-saving prompts directly into the user experience.

The emphasis on device efficiency follows broader industry shifts toward quantifying the full environmental cost of streaming. Per Netflix's 2024 Environment, Social, and Governance report, the company reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by half compared to 2022 levels, though it noted that streaming infrastructure and user devices remain a persistent part of its value chain footprint. Netflix highlighted that while it matches its own operational electricity with 100% renewable energy, the energy consumed by members' screens and devices remains a primary area for long-term target-based reporting and optimization efforts.

Industry groups are moving to standardize how this energy is measured. In March 2024, the Greening of Streaming (GoS) group announced the deployment of its Remote Energy Measurement (REM) project. According to TVBEurope, the REM platform allows researchers to capture real-world energy consumption data from screen devices across multiple sites rather than relying on laboratory estimates. This initiative aims to bridge the data gap that has historically led to conflicting reports about the carbon footprint of digital video delivery.

Regulatory pressure is also intensifying, particularly in Europe. The EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), adopted in 2024, establishes a framework for stricter sustainability requirements across the product lifecycle. Per official EU Commission reporting from July 2024, the regulation targets energy-related products to ensure they are more efficient and durable. This regulatory shift may eventually force streaming hardware manufacturers and software providers to prioritize low-power decoding and UI efficiency to maintain market access within the European Union.