Xbox is working to reduce our environmental impact to help us meet Microsoft’s goal to be a carbon negative, water positive and zero waste company by 2030 by rethinking how we design, build, distribute and use.
Last March we released an update on our sustainability efforts across hardware, software, waste reduction and collective action. We are constantly examining how we can innovate, learn and improve our actions and continue to work with industry partners and game developers. Not only are we responsible for the carbon emissions from manufacturing and distributing our products, but also for the emissions from using our products in the homes of our fans. So how we make our hardware and software more efficient and optimized for renewable energy can have a big impact.
Today we’re sharing updates rolling out for Xbox Insiders. The upcoming changes will create opportunities for our collective community of players to make decisions to reduce the environmental impact of gaming.
Xbox is now the first gaming console to offer carbon-conscious game downloads and updates
Being carbon conscious means reducing your carbon footprint by optimizing updates and downloads to run at a time when the console can use the most renewable energy. Windows Update became carbon conscious last year for Windows 11 PCs, and now Xbox consoles are getting carbon conscious too.
When your console is plugged in and connected to the internet, and regional carbon intensity data is available, Xbox will schedule game, app, and operating system updates for your console at specific times during the nightly maintenance window, which may result in lower carbon emissions , since a higher proportion of the electricity comes from lower-carbon sources in the power grid. For example, instead of your Xbox waking up at a random time between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. during the nightly maintenance window, your console will wake up at a time when it can utilize the most renewable energy on your local power grid. This reduces dependence on fossil fuels and CO2 emissions and could potentially save you money. While it’s currently only available to Xbox Insiders using Shut Down (Sleep), all Xbox players have the opportunity to update soon to make your Xbox console carbon conscious.
Power settings that help your Xbox conserve energy
Starting today, Xbox Insiders will notice that their Xbox Series X|S consoles will automatically upgrade to the Shut down (sleep) power option. This one-time update of your power settings reduces your power consumption while your console is off and does not affect performance, gameplay, or your console’s ability to receive overnight system, game, or app updates. Remote functions are supported while the console is on; However, remote wake is not supported while the console is shut down. You can always adjust your settings and choose what works best for you. Shutdown (power saving) reduces power consumption in the off state by up to 20 times compared to the sleep state.
Shutdown (sleep) allows Xbox One consoles to receive overnight system, game, or app downloads just like Xbox Series X|S. When Shut down (sleep) is selected, Xbox One consoles will experience a slower boot time. Remote functions are still supported while the console is powered on.
We encourage all players to learn more about the available performance setting options. Every small step we take has a greater collective impact—and the choice to shut down (conserve energy) can have real, meaningful impact. For example, for every 2 consoles that go into shutdown (power saving) for a year, we save the equivalent amount of carbon removed by 1 tree planted and grown for a decade. This is based on an average of Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles shut down (sleep) for 20 hours per day for 1 year; Actual energy savings and avoided emissions may vary by console and other factors. Use Greenhouse Gas Equivalency Calculator | U.S. EPA
Improved sustainability with Active Hours and Sleep
Another Power Settings update rolling out today for Xbox Insiders is the new Active Hours setting. For those who select the power saving option, you can now customize your console’s active hours. Your Xbox starts up quickly and is available for remote activation during the active hours you select. When your Xbox’s active hours are up for the day, it will shut down completely, consuming 0.5W versus 10-15W when active.
- Xbox Series X|S active hours are au tomatically activated and scheduled based on the times the console was previously used
- Xbox One consoles have the ability to configure their active hours, which default to “always active” unless changed
how can you help
We can’t do this alone. We must work with our players, developers, studios and the industry if we are to help reduce gaming’s impact on the environment. We’re committed to working with our developers, collaborating with organizations, and empowering players to make more informed decisions.
Here are some specific ways you can help:
- Choose settings that help you and your Xbox conserve energy
Select Shut down (sleep) as the power option on your Xbox. If you’re not part of Xbox Insiders and want to adjust your settings to get the best power saving option before the automatic update, go to Settings > General > Power Options. It helps save energy and enables carbon-conscious updates on your Xbox. - Become carbon conscious – Choose automatic updates. If you’ve configured your Xbox to receive automatic updates and you’ve selected shutdown (sleep) as your power option, you have a carbon-conscious Xbox.
- Shutdown earlier when inactive – Choose a shorter duration for turning off your Xbox when inactive. This helps reduce the amount of time your console stays on when idle before turning itself off. By default this is set to 1 hour, but you can select a time that is less than an hour by going to Settings > General > Power Options > Customize Power Options.
For more information about what we do, visit: xbox.com/sustainability.
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