The first global emissions reporting framework designed specifically for the games industry has been launched by the Sustainable Games Alliance (SGA).
Co-developed with Manchester Metropolitan University academics, the Standard provides a scientifically verified tool for studios to measure, benchmark and reduce carbon emissions across game development, publishing, distribution and infrastructure.
Until now, the games industry, which is estimated to produce up to 50 million tonnes of carbon annually, has lacked accurate, sector-specific data collection and reporting.
The new Standard is the first fully comprehensive framework of its kind, freely available to studios of all sizes, from AAA publishers to independent developers.
It has been developed as part of the STRATEGIES: A Sustainable Transition for Europe’s Game Industries project – co-funded by Horizon Europe and UK Research and Innovation.
Dr Chris Paling, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management at Manchester Met and co-lead on the project, said: “The games industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, yet until now there has been no reliable way for companies to understand their impact.
“By co-producing this Standard with industry partners and rigorously verifying its scientific foundations, we’ve created a tool that can drive meaningful change.”
The Sustainable Games Alliance (SGA), a global non-profit cooperative of developers, universities and associations, is already working with more than 30 members across 11 countries to implement the Standard.
Its members include PC, console and mobile game developers, research groups and both local and pan-European trade associations. In the UK, members include Lockwood Publishing and Sports Interactive, a SEGA company, as well as Games London, who organise the Games London Festival.
Negotiations are underway to integrate the framework into widely used game development platforms.
Maria Wagner, Managing Director of the Sustainable Games Alliance, said: “With the Sustainable Games Standard, the industry finally has a framework that reflects how games are actually made, turning ambition into actionable impact.
“Our ambition is to make gaming the most sustainable entertainment medium, and industry-wide strategic action based on easily accessible and comparable data is the only way we’ll get there.”
Unlike generic reporting tools, the Sustainable Games Standard has been designed specifically for the games sector. It enables companies to track emissions with precision, benchmark performance across titles and studios, and identify opportunities to cut costs while reducing environmental impact.
The framework also helps businesses comply with emerging regulations in Europe and beyond, optimise energy consumption and even improve player experience through better hardware efficiency and longer battery life.
By making the Standard freely available, the initiative ensures that studios of all sizes can participate in shaping a more sustainable future for gaming.
This latest research coincides with the recent announcement that Manchester Met has been named the UK’s most sustainable university, achieving 1st place in the 2025/26 People & Planet University League.
This marks a record fourth time the University has topped the national ranking, reaffirming its position as a sector leader in environmental and ethical performance.
