The carbon footprint of domain registrars: What you need to know

When we think of carbon emissions, most people picture planes, factories, or cars, not domain names. But every time someone types in your URL, a chain reaction occurs across data centres and infrastructure, including your domain registrar. While it’s a tiny part of the internet’s overall footprint, it adds up when millions of domains are in use.

Why do domains have a carbon footprint

The hidden infrastructure behind a URL

A domain name isn’t just a catchy address for your website; it’s a pointer to servers around the globe to find your website. Behind the scenes, a network of Domain Name System (DNS) infrastructure, redundant systems, and data centres powers that resolution. Every domain lookup costs energy.

Domain registrars vs registries

So, what is a registrar and a registry?

• A domain registrar is the company you buy your domain from, like GoDaddy or Namecheap.
• A domain registry runs the database for a particular domain extension (like .com, .net, or .eco).

The carbon footprint we’re focusing on in this article comes mostly from registries, since they manage the “always-on” infrastructure and backend systems.

What the numbers say

A study by the .eco registry examined the carbon emissions associated with some of the biggest domain registries on the Internet. The numbers are eye-opening.

Emissions by registry

Here’s a quick look at the estimated annual emissions per registry based on available data:

Registry	Overall footprint (t CO2e)	Reporting year	Intensity per employee (t CO2e)	Intensity per domain (g CO2e)
.be DNS Belgium	124.7	2023 (PDF)	3.4	72
.ca CIRA	1006.7	2024 (PDF)	7.7	295
.eco Big Room	3.8	2024	1.9	400
.fr Afnic	690	2023	3.7	147
.se Internetstiftelsen	294	2023 (PDF)	2.6	172
.UK Nominet	1075	2024	3.8	103

As domain registries differ considerably in size and operations, we have included a measure of carbon emissions intensity.

CO₂e impact per domain extension

There are economies of scale, with a baseline overhead associated with operating a registry. Having a large number of domains under management means that the total CO2e carbon cost can be averaged across more domains, lowering the per-domain intensity.

So, TLDs with a large number of registered domains will generally have a lower carbon emissions intensity per domain.

What causes the emissions?

Data centres and DNS infrastructure

Most emissions come from powering and cooling data centres that store and resolve domain records globally, often using fossil-fuel-based electricity.

Registry operations and software

Registries also operate software and security systems 24/7. Logging, backups, and redundancy all add to the total carbon footprint.

Energy use and offsets

Some registries use offsets to neutralise emissions, but offset quality varies widely. Others don’t report anything at all, and transparency is patchy across the industry.

How domain owners can make a difference

Choose greener registrars or TLDs

Consider switching to a registrar that’s powered by renewable energy or one that offers greener TLDs like .eco, .earth, or .green.

Ask about carbon reporting

Most registries don’t publish their emissions. Asking questions about sustainability can help push the industry toward more transparency and accountability.

Reduce other digital emissions

Domains are just one piece. You can also optimise your website to be lighter, faster, and greener by trimming scripts, optimising images, and choosing a green host.

Why it matters

One domain might feel insignificant, but there are over 350 million registered domain names worldwide. If each has even a tiny footprint, the total adds up fast. Multiply that by every ping, lookup, and DNS sync, and it has a significant impact.

Choosing a greener domain extension is a small but visible act; it shows customers you care about impact, not just convenience.

FAQs about the carbon footprint of domain registrars

1. How can I check if my domain registrar is sustainable?

Start by reviewing their website for an environmental policy or sustainability report. If they’re silent, send them a quick email and ask directly.

2. What’s the difference between a registry and a registrar?

Registrars sell domains to you. Registries run the back-end systems that power specific extensions like .com or .eco.

3. Is switching to a greener TLD difficult?

Not at all. Most registrars offer green TLDs, you can register a new one or forward your current domain to it.

4. Are offsets enough to cancel domain emissions?

Not always. High-quality offsets help, but cutting emissions at the source—like switching to green power—is far more effective.

5. What else can website owners do to reduce their carbon footprint?

Use green hosting, reduce page weight, cut unnecessary plugins and tracking scripts, and audit your site’s sustainability regularly.

Back to News & Insights