Are NFTs bad for the environment?

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are becoming more widespread as web3 technology expands. If you’re a brand with a loyal fanbase, you’re probably curious about how you can leverage NFTs. However, these tokens have a reputation for contributing to emissions and negatively impacting the environment.    

This reputation has caused some backlash from consumers, one example being in the world of K-pop, where labels faced an outcry after launching NFT products.

So, are NFTs bad for the environment? Are there clean ways to mint and sell NFTs? 

If you’re a brand that aligns with climate consciousness, high energy consumption is not something you can simply ignore. But does that mean you have to skip out on NFTs? 

In this post, we’ll dive into NFT’s effect on the environment and whether there are alternatives.

Before we dive into the specifics of NFTs and their impact, it’s important to understand a few terms we’ll be throwing around. 

NFT: A non-fungible token. Essentially, this proves ownership of an asset on the blockchain. 

Proof of work: validation method that confirms transactions (including NFT transactions). This method requires a lot of computer processing, which consumes a lot of energy. 

Proof of stake: a different validation method that uses considerably fewer validators. This method requires much less energy. 

Ethereum: An open-source blockchain. Companies can use Ethereum to build digital products. 

OpenSea: The largest NFT marketplace, built on Ethereum.

By using proof of stake instead of proof of work, the energy consumption of blockchain transactions like buying/selling NFTs is reduced by about 99%. 

For any brand wanting to leverage NFTs in a sustainable way, you can do so with a proof of stake platform. 

Today, there are a few platforms that use this kind of validation, the major one being Algorand. 

For Algorand, sustainability is a core component. As the world’s first pure proof of stake blockchain, the Algorand network is designed to minimally impact the environment. Because it’s pure proof of stake, it requires minimal computational power or electricity. Algorand has been a leader in minimising the environmental impact of blockchain technology. 

Brands can quickly build and launch their own NFT marketplace on the Algorand blockchain using the open-source project Algomart. Algomart is a carbon-negative, white-label solution that is fully customisable for brands, created by the engineering team here at DEPT®. 

It’s also important to call out that Ethereum is in the process of what it calls “The Merge”, where the current Ethereum Mainnet will merge with the beacon chain proof of stake system. This will complete the transition to proof of stake for Ethereum, set to finish later this year. According to Ethereum, this will “start the era of a more sustainable, eco-friendly Ethereum.” If all goes according to plan, this should be a big step in helping brands gain more confidence in experimenting with NFTs without having to sacrifice their sustainability goals. 

The bottom line is this: NFTs are not the emission-heavy technology that they’re often painted as. It wholly depends on the technology underpinning their transactions. By using carbon-neutral technology, any brand can mint, sell, and re-sell NFTs without going against their principles.  

To learn more about NFTs, and levering eco-friendly tech, reach out to the web3 team at DEPT®.