A new report from the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance confirms Ethereum’s environmental footprint remains tiny years after switching to Proof-of-Stake.
The updated assessment titled “Ethereum After the Merge – A Change in Power” shows the network’s dramatic efficiency gains have held strong.
Ethereum’s Post-Merge Numbers
Ethereum now uses about 7.87 GWh of electricity per year. That equals roughly 0.90 MW of continuous power.
Its annual carbon footprint sits at around 2.37 ktCO₂e. Both figures remain more than 99.9% lower than pre-Merge levels.
The Merge in September 2022 delivered the biggest drop. Energy consumption fell over 99.9% almost overnight. The network moved from Proof-of-Work levels comparable to a small country down to something closer to the Eiffel Tower’s power draw.
Major upgrades since then have improved data handling and validator organisation. Fresh hardware data and better network visibility helped Cambridge researchers refine their estimates.
Alexander Neumüller, Research Lead at CCAF, explained: “The drop at the Merge is well documented. What matters now is keeping the picture accurate as the network evolves. Under Proof-of-Stake, electricity is no longer the main price of security. The remaining climate impact depends mostly on the electricity grids powering the nodes.”
Why This Matters for Crypto and Finance
Institutional investors and companies focused on ESG now have stronger evidence. Ethereum delivers serious scalability and security with a minimal environmental cost.
This strengthens its role in tokenisation, real-world assets, and decentralised finance. Sustainable blockchain infrastructure becomes a real competitive advantage.
Is Proof-of-Stake the Green Future of Crypto?
The Cambridge data suggests the answer is moving closer to yes for Ethereum. The model works. The numbers hold. The industry now has a clear path forward.
See Also:
Setting the Standard for Blockchain ESG Ratings with the Cardano Foundation at the Point Zero Forum | Disruption Banking
Is Ethereum’s Philosophy of Subtraction Working or Creating a Funding Crisis? | Disruption Banking
