比特幣挖礦的碳足跡：加密貨幣產業及其他產業面臨的挑戰

比特幣具有徹底改變金融市場的潛力，並享有巨大的全球影響力。然而，比特幣挖礦的能源需求導致碳排放量增加。

Bitcoin, a decentralised digital currency, has garnered immense attention for its potential to revolutionise financial markets. However, a lesser-known aspect of bitcoin is its substantial carbon footprint, embodied in its complex global supply chains. A recent study by Nuri C Onat, Murat Kucukvar and colleagues delves into this critical topic, highlighting the urgent need to factor in the environmental consequences of digital currencies.

比特幣是一種去中心化的數位貨幣，因其徹底改變金融市場的潛力而受到廣泛關注。然而，比特幣的一個鮮為人知的方面是其巨大的碳足跡，體現在其複雜的全球供應鏈中。 Nuri C Onat、Murat Kucukvar 及其同事最近的一項研究深入探討了這個關鍵主題，強調迫切需要考慮數位貨幣對環境的影響。

Each bitcoin transaction carries a hefty carbon footprint, roughly equivalent to driving a gasoline-powered car between 1,600 and 2,600 kilometres. This staggering statistic underscores the high environmental cost of each transaction on the network, underscoring the pressing need for solutions to reduce this impact.

每筆比特幣交易都會產生大量碳足跡，大約相當於駕駛汽油車行駛 1,600 至 2,600 公里。這驚人的統計數據凸顯了網路上每筆交易的高昂環境成本，也凸顯了迫切需要減少這種影響的解決方案。

Bitcoin mining relies on the proof of work (PoW) system, where high-performance computers work to verify transactions and secure the blockchain network. This energy-intensive process generates an estimated 63 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually, comparable to the energy consumption of Poland. Given that fossil fuels remain a primary electricity source in many mining regions, this energy use translates directly into greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global climate change. Notably, these emissions are on par with the annual output of entire nations.

比特幣挖礦依賴工作量證明 (PoW) 系統，其中高效能電腦負責驗證交易並保護區塊鏈網路。這一能源密集過程每年估計產生 63 太瓦時 (TWh)，相當於波蘭的能源消耗量。鑑於化石燃料仍然是許多礦區的主要電力來源，這種能源使用直接轉化為溫室氣體排放，導致全球氣候變遷。值得注意的是，這些排放量相當於整個國家的年產出。

The study's findings reveal that the United States is responsible for nearly 46 per cent of global bitcoin mining emissions, producing an estimated 15.1 million metric tons of CO₂ annually. Despite regulatory efforts, China remains a major player, both as a significant emitter of bitcoin mining and as a top producer and supplier of bitcoin mining equipment. Kazakhstan and China also contribute substantially, accounting for 20 per cent and 13 per cent of total mining emissions, respectively.

研究結果顯示，美國的比特幣挖礦排放量佔全球的近 46%，估計每年產生 1,510 萬噸二氧化碳。儘管採取了監管措施，中國仍然是一個主要參與者，既是比特幣挖礦的重要排放國，也是比特幣挖礦設備的最大生產商和供應商。哈薩克和中國也做出了巨大貢獻，分別佔採礦業排放總量的 20% 和 13%。

Due to emissions embodied in the global supply chains of bitcoin mining, regional emission reduction efforts alone may not be sufficient. For example, despite its clean energy grid, Norway faces indirect emissions from bitcoin mining. Around 74 per cent of Norway’s mining-related emissions stem from imported equipment manufactured in regions like China, where carbon-intensive energy sources are prevalent. This highlights the need for mitigation strategies that extend beyond national borders, considering emissions embedded in global trade and supply chains. Additionally, the findings underscore the urgency of shifting away from coal-powered electricity generation, a primary source of greenhouse gases.

由於比特幣挖礦的全球供應鏈所反映的排放，僅靠區域減排努力可能還不夠。例如，儘管挪威擁有清潔能源網絡，但仍面臨比特幣開採帶來的間接排放。挪威約 74% 的採礦相關排放量來自中國等碳密集型能源盛行地區製造的進口設備。這凸顯了考慮到全球貿易和供應鏈中嵌入的排放，需要超越國界的緩解策略。此外，研究結果強調了放棄燃煤發電的迫切性，燃煤發電是溫室氣體的主要來源。

Bitcoin's energy demands exemplify a broader trend among emerging technologies. Advanced artificial intelligence models, for instance, also require vast computational resources during development and operation. As these technologies expand, so too will their carbon footprint, necessitating sustainable approaches across digital sectors. If left unchecked, the energy requirements of these innovations could pose further challenges to global climate mitigation efforts.

比特幣的能源需求反映了新興技術中更廣泛的趨勢。例如，先進的人工智慧模型在開發和運行過程中也需要大量的運算資源。隨著這些技術的擴展，它們的碳足跡也會隨之增加，因此需要在數位領域採取永續的方法。如果不加以控制，這些創新的能源需求可能會對全球減緩氣候變遷的努力構成進一步的挑戰。

To mitigate these impacts, mining operations could be powered by renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, to drastically reduce emissions. Policymakers could incentivise or require mining hubs to rely on clean energy, especially in regions with abundant renewable resources.

為了減輕這些影響，採礦作業可以由太陽能或風能等再生能源提供動力，以大幅減少排放。政策制定者可以激勵或要求採礦中心依賴清潔能源，特別是在再生資源豐富的地區。

Furthermore, exploring methods for implementing a carbon tax could help reduce the growing emissions from bitcoin mining. While the decentralised and largely unregulated nature of cryptocurrencies poses challenges to the regulation of carbon taxes, innovative solutions within the crypto space are possible. For example, blockchain technology could be utilised to help lower mining-related carbon emissions.

此外，探索實施碳稅的方法可能有助於減少比特幣挖礦不斷增長的排放量。雖然加密貨幣的去中心化和很大程度上不受監管的性質對碳稅監管提出了挑戰，但加密領域內的創新解決方案是可能的。例如，區塊鏈技術可用於幫助降低與採礦相關的碳排放。

Tackling emissions associated with bitcoin's entire supply chain is essential. This includes considering the carbon footprint of manufacturing and transporting mining equipment. Transparency in carbon accounting, especially for indirect, so-called Scope 3, emissions could help hold mining operations accountable for both direct and indirect emissions.

解決與比特幣整個供應鏈相關的排放問題至關重要。這包括考慮製造和運輸採礦設備的碳足跡。碳會計的透明度，特別是間接（即所謂的範圍 3）排放量，可以幫助採礦作業對直接和間接排放負責。

To reduce the reliance on energy-intensive proof of work systems, the industry could consider adopting alternative consensus mechanisms like proof of stake (PoS), which has a significantly lower energy requirement, offering a viable path toward sustainable digital currency models. However, this is not a simple solution, as various consensus mechanisms can impact bitcoin’s value as a decentralised and trustless financial asset, presenting a challenge often referred to as the blockchain trilemma.

為了減少對能源密集型工作量證明系統的依賴，業界可以考慮採用股權證明（PoS）等替代共識機制，其能源需求顯著降低，為永續數位貨幣模型提供了一條可行的路徑。然而，這不是一個簡單的解決方案，因為各種共識機制可能會影響比特幣作為去中心化和無需信任的金融資產的價值，從而帶來通常被稱為區塊鏈三難困境的挑戰。

Although bitcoin's carbon emissions are concerning, the global financial system's energy demands in hubs like New York, London and Tokyo are also substantial, relying on energy-intensive servers and supercomputers for transaction processing. Therefore, strategies such as improving data centre efficiency, using renewable energy and advancing cloud computing can help reduce emissions from emerging digital technologies. Yet, as financial transactions grow, finding sustainable ways to reduce the sector's environmental impact remains a pressing challenge.

儘管比特幣的碳排放令人擔憂，但紐約、倫敦和東京等中心的全球金融體系的能源需求也很大，依賴能源密集伺服器和超級電腦進行交易處理。因此，提高資料中心效率、使用再生能源和推進雲端運算等策略有助於減少新興數位技術的排放。然而，隨著金融交易的成長，尋找可持續的方法來減少該行業對環境的影響仍然是一個緊迫的挑戰。

There is an urgent need to address bitcoin mining's carbon footprint, not only for cryptocurrency but as a blueprint for managing the environmental impact of digital technologies, including AI as well as the financial sector at large. With coordinated action, the cryptocurrency sector can become a model of sustainability, striking a balance between innovation and environmental responsibility. Addressing bitcoin's emissions, along with those of other emerging technologies, will be critical as we strive to meet global climate targets and mitigate the risks of climate change.

迫切需要解決比特幣採礦的碳足跡，不僅是為了加密貨幣，而且作為管理數位技術（包括人工智慧以及整個金融部門）環境影響的藍圖。透過協調行動，加密貨幣產業可以成為永續發展的典範，在創新和環境責任之間取得平衡。在我們努力實現全球氣候目標並減輕氣候變遷風險的過程中，解決比特幣以及其他新興技術的排放問題至關重要。