IT lifecycle management proposed to combat water scarcity

The IT industry is being identified as a significant contributor to water scarcity due to the high water demands of semiconductor manufacturing. Estimates suggest that producing a single computer requires approximately 20,000 liters of virtual water, much of which is consumed during the intensive cleaning processes required for silicon wafers.

As the global demand for AI drives increased chip production, the water footprint of the technology sector is expanding. This impact is felt globally through supply chains, even for companies based in Europe. A study by the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences noted that Germany faced a deficit of approximately 25 billion tons of water by the end of 2025 compared to long-term averages.

To mitigate this, experts from afb social & green IT suggest that IT lifecycle management and professional refurbishment can serve as critical tools. By extending the lifespan of existing hardware, companies can delay the water-intensive manufacturing process required for replacement devices. This approach aligns with recent political movements, such as the right to repair, to reduce the environmental impact of the tech sector.