Blockchain technology is a distributed digital ledger, which is a sequence of
interconnected blocks comprising secure and transparent peer-to-peer transaction
records. It is a combination of blocks with shared memory, each of which is uniquely
identified by a hash value. The distinctive nature of these blocks makes them resistant
to falsification and builds trust and resilience in technology. This chapter provides an
overview of blockchain technology, its architecture, and diverse applications. It
explores the carbon footprint of blockchain technology and examines its environmental
impacts through case studies on Bitcoin mining, Ethereum, Chia network, food supply
chain, Tezos blockchain, and geothermal energy. It also endeavors to analyze energy
consumption and Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and eventually understand highpower usage, which has led to environmental impacts. The carbon footprint, which is
the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emitted (including CO2 and methane), is released at
high levels and significantly affects habitats because of its ability to trap atmospheric
heat. With the emissions of GHGs at high levels, this chapter also focuses on the
mitigation process, namely, renewable energy. The chapter in the conclusion
underscores the importance of continued efforts to make blockchains more
environmentally sustainable.
Keywords: Bitcoin mining, Carbon footprint, Chia network, Consensus mechanism, Defi, Energy consumption, Environmental impact, Ethereum, Food supply chain, Geothermal energy, GHG, KlimaDAO, Non-renewable sources, Nordic energy market, Tezos blockchain.
