In South Africa, the average website's carbon footprint in 2026 is estimated at 15.3 kg CO2e per month, reflecting increased digital activity and energy efficiency efforts. The number of data centers has grown to around 150, with a significant 60% powered by renewable energy sources, reducing overall environmental impact. Web pages are larger on average at 4.2 MB, which influences energy consumption during data transfer, while mobile web traffic dominates at 65%, emphasizing the importance of mobile-friendly and sustainable web designs.
Despite improvements in renewable energy use and infrastructure, digital growth continues to challenge sustainability goals. The expansion of data centers and increased web traffic necessitate ongoing investments in green technologies and optimized web content. South Africa's digital landscape shows promising progress toward reducing its website carbon footprint, yet there remains room for further efficiency enhancements to meet global environmental targets in 2026.