A drawdown-aligned framework for the Gaming industry

The document outlines a comprehensive framework for the gaming industry to move beyond 'net zero' toward 'drawdown.' It identifies key leverage points for software companies, including the reduction of Scope 3 emissions from players' devices, the use of the industry's massive reach to normalize climate solutions, and the decarbonization of corporate cash and investments. The guide provides specific actionable recommendations and real-world examples from companies like Xbox, Ubisoft, and Unity to demonstrate how these strategies can be implemented in practice.

• The gaming industry has a substantial climate impact, with annual game-related energy use in the United States alone causing an estimated 24 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to over 5 million cars.
• Gaming companies can leverage their 'climate superpower'—a global reach of over 3 billion players, or 40% of the world's population—to normalize climate action and integrate climate solutions storytelling into games.
• To achieve comprehensive emissions reductions, companies should ensure data centers use 100% renewable energy, optimize energy efficiency for development and gameplay, and address Scope 3 emissions, specifically those from players' end-devices.
• Financial leverage is a critical but underutilized tool; companies are encouraged to offer climate-friendly retirement plans, push banks to align with the Paris Agreement, and steer insurance away from carbon-intensive projects.
• The framework recommends that gaming companies move from opportunistic to consistent climate policy advocacy, influencing industry associations like the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE).
• Corporate procurement and partnerships should be aligned with climate goals by favoring suppliers with science-based emissions reductions targets and pushing cloud service providers to decarbonize.
• The document identifies significant gaps in the industry, particularly regarding the impact of corporate cash held in big banks, which can be a company's largest source of emissions.

APA

Project Drawdown (2023). A drawdown-aligned framework for the Gaming industry. https://drawdown.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/A%20Drawdown-Aligned%20Framework%20for%20the%20Gaming%20Industry%202023.pdf

Chicago

Project Drawdown. A drawdown-aligned framework for the Gaming industry. 2023. https://drawdown.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/A%20Drawdown-Aligned%20Framework%20for%20the%20Gaming%20Industry%202023.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Project Drawdown |title=A drawdown-aligned framework for the Gaming industry |date=2023 |url=https://drawdown.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/A%20Drawdown-Aligned%20Framework%20for%20the%20Gaming%20Industry%202023.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{projectdrawdown2023drawdownaligned, author = {{Project Drawdown}}, title = {{A drawdown-aligned framework for the Gaming industry}}, institution = {Project Drawdown}, year = {2023}, url = {https://drawdown.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/A%20Drawdown-Aligned%20Framework%20for%20the%20Gaming%20Industry%202023.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }