Xbox Is Now the First Carbon Aware Console, Update Rolling Out to Everyone Soon

Xbox is working to reduce our environmental impact to help us reach Microsoft’s goal of being a carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste company by 2030 by rethinking how we design, build, distribute, and use our products.

In March we updated you on the progress of our sustainability initiatives in hardware, software waste reduction and collective action. Our team is constantly seeking out ways we can improve and innovate on our existing measures. Not only are we responsible for the carbon emissions from the manufacturing and distribution of the products that we sell, but also the emission created by the products being used in homes. The way that we design hardware and software can be made more efficient for renewable energy could have an enormous impact.

We are pleased to share updates with Xbox Insiders today. Our collective gaming community will have the chance to take steps to lessen their impact on the environment through these changes.

Xbox has become the first console to allow carbon-aware games downloads and updates

Carbon awareness means being aware of your carbon footprint and optimizing downloads and updates to be run when you can get the most renewable power. Windows Update was made carbon-aware last year on Windows 11 PCs. Xbox consoles now are carbon-aware.

If your console is connected to the Internet, it will automatically schedule updates for game, app and OS. These scheduled updates may help reduce carbon emissions. For example, instead of your Xbox waking up during the nightly maintenance window at a random time between 2:00 AM – 6:00 AM, your console will wake up at a time when it can use the most renewable energy in your local energy grid. It reduces your dependence on fossil fuels and decreases CO2 emissions. This could also save you money.   Xbox Insiders who use Shutdown (energy savings) will be able to access this update, but all Xbox gamers can upgrade soon to make their console carbon-aware.

Your Xbox can save electricity by using energy settings

Xbox Insiders today will see their Xbox Series X|S consoles automatically update to the Shutdown (energy saving) power option. This one-time update to your power settings will reduce your power consumption while your console is off, and will not affect performance, gameplay, or your console’s ability to receive overnight updates to system, games or apps. While the console’s power is on, remote features can be used. However, the console cannot perform remote wake while it is turned off. You can change your settings anytime, whichever works for you. Shutdown (energy saving) cuts power use by up to 20X when it’s off compared to Sleep.

We are continuing to look at options to help players reduce their environmental footprint. Xbox One consoles can now see new power modes, such as shutdown (energy saving), as we explore them. To determine which messaging option is most effective to notify players about the changes, Xbox One consoles are testing several options. It is a way for Xbox One users to share their feedback.

S.|S. Xbox One consoles that have Shutdown enabled (energy savings) will experience slower boot times. The console can still access remote features while it is turned on.

All players are encouraged to explore the options for power settings. Every small step we take has larger collective impact – and choosing shutdown (energy saving) can have real, meaningful impact. We will reduce the carbon emissions of 1 tree that has been planted for 10 years for each 2 consoles we switch to Shutdown (energy savings) over a year. S consoles and Xbox One consoles using Shutdown (energy savings) 20 hours per week for a year. Actual energy savings and avoided emission may differ by console.|S and Xbox One consoles on Shutdown (energy saving) for 20 hours per day for 1 year; actual energy savings and avoided emissions may vary by console and other factors. Use US EPA| US EPA.

Improved sustainability with “Active hours” and Sleep

Another energy setting update that will start to roll out to Xbox Insiders today is the new “Active hours” setting. For those that select the Sleep power option, you can now adjust your console’s active hours. The Xbox will start quickly, and you can remotely wake it during the active hours. When your Xbox’s active hours are done for the day, it will fully shut down and will draw 0.5 W vs. 10-15 W while active.

• Xbox Series X|S active hours will be automatically enabled and scheduled based on times when the console was previously used
• Xbox One consoles will have the option to configure their active hours, which will default to “always active” unless changed

What you can do to help

We can’t do this alone. We must work together with our players, developers, studios, and the industry if we’re going to help reduce gaming’s impact on the environment. We’re committed to collaborating with our developers, partnering with organizations, and empowering players to make more informed decisions.

These are just a few of the ways that you can assist:

• Select the settings that will help your Xbox conserve energy
  As a power option, select shutdown (energy savings) on your Xbox.  You can adjust your settings so that you get the most energy-saving option before the automatic update if you’re not part of Xbox Insiders. Settings > General > Power options.This will save power and allow you to make carbon-conscious updates for your Xbox.
• Carbon aware – Choose automatic updates. When you have configured your Xbox to get automatic updates and you have selected shutdown (energy saving) as a power option, you’ll have a carbon aware Xbox.
• Shutdown sooner when inactive – You can choose a shorter time frame for your Xbox to turn off after it is inactive. You can reduce how long your console stays on after being inactive. You can set this default to an hour. But, you have the option to choose a lower time limit by going to Settings > General > Power options > Customize power options.

For more information on what we’re doing, check out: xbox.com/sustainability.