Cosmos (ATOM) sustainability report

Cosmos is present on the following networks: Binance Smart Chain, Cosmos, Kava, Osmosis.

The Binance Smart Chain (BSC) network utilizes a hybrid consensus mechanism known as Proof of Staked Authority (PoSA). This innovative approach integrates key elements from both Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) and Proof of Authority (PoA) to achieve a balance of high transaction speeds, cost-efficiency, and network security, while striving to maintain a reasonable level of decentralization. The core participants in the PoSA mechanism include Validators, referred to as "Cabinet Members," Delegators, and Candidates.

Validators play a critical role, being responsible for creating new blocks, verifying transactions, and upholding the overall security of the network. To qualify as a validator, an entity must stake a substantial quantity of BNB, which serves as collateral to ensure honest conduct. These validators are selected through a dynamic process that considers both the amount of BNB they have staked and the votes they receive from token holders. At any given time, there are 21 active validators, whose rotation aims to enhance decentralization and security. Delegators are token holders who opt not to operate a validator node themselves but can contribute to network security by delegating their BNB tokens to chosen validators. This delegation bolsters a validator's total stake, increasing their likelihood of being selected for block production. In return, delegators receive a share of the rewards earned by their chosen validators, fostering broader participation in network governance and security. Candidates represent potential validators who have met the minimum BNB staking requirements and are awaiting election into the active validator set through community voting. Their presence ensures a continuous pool of ready-to-serve nodes, contributing to the network's resilience and decentralization.

During the consensus process, validators are chosen based on their accumulated BNB stake and delegator votes. The higher these metrics, the greater the chance of selection for validating transactions and producing new blocks. Once selected, these validators take turns in a PoA-like fashion to produce blocks rapidly and efficiently, validating transactions, adding them to blocks, and broadcasting them across the network. BSC boasts fast block times, typically around 3 seconds, leading to quick transaction finality. This rapid finality is a direct benefit of the efficient PoSA mechanism, which allows validators to reach consensus swiftly. To further ensure network integrity, validators face economic incentives such as slashing, where a portion of their staked BNB can be forfeited if they engage in malicious activities. This mechanism aligns validators' interests with the network's well-being, complementing the rewards they receive for their honest participation.

The Cosmos blockchain network is built upon a modular framework known as the Cosmos SDK, which facilitates the creation of custom, application-specific blockchains. At its core, these Cosmos SDK chains leverage Tendermint Core, a robust Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus engine. This architecture is engineered to deliver fast transaction finality and enable seamless interoperability across diverse blockchains within the Cosmos ecosystem. Validators play a pivotal role in the Tendermint BFT PoS model. Their selection is primarily determined by the quantity of their native tokens (e.g., ATOM for the Cosmos Hub, SAGA for Saga, LUNA for Terra 2.0) they have staked, or the amount delegated to them by other token holders. These validators are responsible for proposing new blocks and validating transactions, achieving consensus through a two-thirds majority voting system. A key security feature of Tendermint BFT is its resilience; the network remains secure and operational even if up to one-third of the validators act maliciously. Beyond the core consensus, the Cosmos SDK framework offers critical components that enhance the network's capabilities. The Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol is integral, allowing various Cosmos-based blockchains to communicate and exchange assets and data effortlessly, fostering a highly interconnected ecosystem. Furthermore, the Application Blockchain Interface (ABCI) is a crucial design element that distinctly separates the consensus layer from the application layer. This separation grants developers immense flexibility, enabling them to implement specialized logic for their applications without needing to alter the underlying consensus engine. This modularity not only promotes innovation but also ensures that chains like Saga, Injective, Osmosis, Kava, Terra 2.0, and Cronos, which are built on the Cosmos SDK, can maintain their unique functionalities while benefiting from the shared security and interoperability of the wider Cosmos network. Neutron, for example, extends this by operating as a consumer chain, relying directly on the Cosmos Hub's validator set for its consensus and finality via the Interchain Security model.

The Kava blockchain network employs a robust Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, integrated with the Tendermint Core consensus engine, to ensure high levels of security, scalability, and decentralized governance. This architecture is fundamental to how transactions are validated and blocks are finalized on the Kava network. Tendermint Core, which leverages a Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) based consensus algorithm, is critical for achieving rapid block finality and maintaining consistent transaction validation across the distributed ledger. This means that once a block is committed, it is considered irreversible, providing strong assurances for network participants.

Under the Proof of Stake model, validators on the Kava network are chosen based on the amount of KAVA tokens they have staked or have been delegated by other token holders. The system is configured to have the top 100 nodes, determined by their total bonded stake, responsible for the crucial tasks of validating transactions and proposing new blocks. This selective participation helps streamline the consensus process while still promoting decentralization through a competitive staking environment. To ensure accountability and foster honest participation, the Kava network incorporates a sophisticated slashing mechanism. This system penalizes validators who engage in malicious activities, such as double-signing transactions or experiencing extended periods of downtime, by reducing their staked KAVA tokens. This economic disincentive aligns validators' interests with the overall health and integrity of the network, reinforcing its security posture. The combination of Tendermint Core’s BFT properties and a well-structured PoS model with strong accountability measures makes Kava a resilient and efficient blockchain environment.

The Osmosis blockchain network operates on a Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, strategically leveraging the modular framework of the Cosmos SDK and the robust capabilities of Tendermint Core. This foundational architecture is meticulously designed to ensure secure, decentralized, and scalable transaction processing across the network. Central to this PoS model are the validators, who are selected based on the cumulative amount of OSMO tokens they have committed, either through self-staking or via delegation from other token holders. These validators bear the critical responsibility of validating transactions, proposing and producing new blocks, and generally maintaining the network's security and operational integrity.

The integration of Tendermint Core provides Osmosis with a Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) consensus algorithm, which is instrumental in achieving rapid transaction finality. This BFT mechanism guarantees the network's resilience against malicious attacks, provided that less than one-third of the validators act dishonestly. This resilience is a key differentiator, preventing critical issues such as double-spending and ensuring consistent blockchain state. The inherent modularity offered by the Cosmos SDK further augments Osmosis's capabilities, enabling the development of custom application-specific blockchains and facilitating seamless interoperability within the broader Cosmos ecosystem.

Beyond its core functions of block production and transaction validation, the Osmosis network places a strong emphasis on decentralized governance. OSMO token holders are empowered to directly participate in crucial decision-making processes, including voting on protocol upgrades, adjusting network parameters, and actively shaping the future developmental path of the blockchain. This community-driven governance model fosters an adaptive and robust ecosystem where stakeholders have a direct influence on the network's evolution. The confluence of an efficient PoS model, the robust BFT consensus engine of Tendermint Core, and active decentralized governance collectively establishes a resilient, high-performance, and community-governed blockchain environment. The system's design also incorporates economic incentives and deterrents, such as potential slashing penalties for malicious behavior or prolonged validator inactivity, thereby ensuring honest and reliable participation.

Cosmos is present on the following networks: Binance Smart Chain, Cosmos, Kava, Osmosis.

The Binance Smart Chain (BSC) network employs a robust system of incentive mechanisms and applicable fees, primarily built around its Proof of Staked Authority (PoSA) consensus, designed to secure the network, encourage participation, and maintain operational efficiency. This system ensures that validators, delegators, and other participants are economically motivated to act in the network's best interest.

Validators on BSC, often referred to as "Cabinet Members," are critical to the network's operation. They are incentivized through staking rewards, which include a combination of transaction fees and newly generated block rewards. To become a validator, a significant amount of BNB must be staked. Their selection for block production is determined by the total BNB staked, encompassing both their own stake and delegated tokens, as well as the votes received from delegators. This competitive selection process motivates validators to attract delegators and maintain high performance. Delegators, in turn, are crucial for supporting network decentralization and security. By delegating their BNB to validators, they increase the validators' total stake, enhancing their chances of selection. In exchange, delegators receive a share of the rewards earned by their chosen validators, fostering active community involvement. The system also includes a pool of Candidates, nodes that have staked BNB and are ready to become active validators, ensuring a robust and resilient network of potential participants. Economic security is further reinforced through slashing mechanisms, where validators found engaging in malicious behavior or failing to perform their duties face penalties, including the forfeiture of a portion of their staked BNB. The opportunity cost of locking up BNB also provides a strong economic incentive for all participants to act honestly.

BSC is known for its low transaction fees, which are paid in BNB. These fees are vital for network maintenance and compensate validators for processing transactions. The fee structure is dynamic, adjusting based on network congestion and transaction complexity, though it is designed to remain significantly lower than on some other major blockchain networks, such as the Ethereum mainnet. In addition to transaction fees, validators receive block rewards, further incentivizing their role in maintaining and processing network activity. BSC also supports cross-chain compatibility, enabling asset transfers between Binance Chain and Binance Smart Chain, which incur minimal fees to facilitate a seamless user experience. Furthermore, interacting with and deploying smart contracts on BSC involves fees based on the computational resources required. These smart contract fees are also paid in BNB and are structured to be cost-effective, encouraging developers to build and innovate on the BSC platform.

The Cosmos network employs a sophisticated system of incentive mechanisms and fee structures designed to secure its operations and encourage active participation from both validators and delegators. At the heart of this system are staking rewards, primarily funded by transaction fees and, in the case of the Cosmos Hub, newly minted ATOM tokens. Validators, who are essential for proposing and validating blocks, earn these staking rewards for their crucial role in maintaining network consensus. These rewards are subsequently shared with delegators, who stake their ATOM or native tokens of other Cosmos SDK chains by entrusting them to chosen validators. This delegation model allows a broader range of token holders to contribute to network security and earn passive income, without the technical burden of running a validator node. To ensure accountability and deter malicious behavior, the Cosmos network incorporates a slashing mechanism. Validators found engaging in detrimental activities, such as double-signing transactions or extended periods of inactivity, face penalties where a portion of their staked tokens is removed. This economic disincentive is also extended to delegators, who may incur slashing losses if their chosen validator misbehaves, thereby encouraging them to diligently select trustworthy and reliable validators. This mechanism aligns the economic interests of all participants with the long-term security and integrity of the network. Regarding applicable fees, all transactions processed on the Cosmos Hub necessitate the payment of transaction fees, typically denominated in ATOM. These fees serve a dual purpose: they compensate validators for their computational efforts in processing transactions and act as a deterrent against network spam. A significant feature of the Cosmos SDK is its flexible fee model, which permits individual application-specific blockchains within the ecosystem to define and collect their transaction fees in tokens other than ATOM. This adaptability supports diverse application requirements, as seen in various Cosmos-based chains. For instance, on the Saga mainnet, developers determine end-user transaction fees and pay gas fees using SAGA, ETH, or USDC. Injective features a model where a portion of transaction fees is burned weekly, supporting a deflationary tokenomics. Kava uses KAVA tokens for fees, and new KAVA tokens are minted to fund ecosystem initiatives. Terra 2.0 uses LUNA with a 'base fee plus priority fee' structure, while Neutron employs NTRN for fees that support Cosmos Hub validator rewards. Cronos utilizes CRO for network transactions and smart contract gas fees, with a portion of fees potentially burned. Osmosis charges fees in OSMO for swaps, staking, and governance, distributing them to validators and delegators, and also incentivizes liquidity providers with swap fees and OSMO tokens, including through Superfluid Staking. This comprehensive approach ensures robust network security and a vibrant, economically self-sustaining ecosystem.

The Kava blockchain network utilizes a comprehensive system of incentive mechanisms and applicable fees designed to foster network security, encourage active participation from its community, and sustain its ecosystem. This framework creates a symbiotic relationship among validators, delegators, and the network itself, driven by an inflationary token model.

At the core of the incentive structure are the validator rewards. Validators, who are essential for securing the network and processing transactions, are compensated with newly minted KAVA tokens through block rewards, as well as a share of the transaction fees generated on the network. This dual reward system ensures that validators are adequately remunerated for their computational resources and honest efforts. Beyond direct validation, Kava also supports staking rewards for general KAVA token holders. These individuals can delegate their tokens to trusted validators, thereby contributing to the network's security and decentralization, and in return, they earn a proportionate share of the rewards. This delegation mechanism broadens participation in network governance and security beyond those capable of running full validator nodes.

Regarding applicable fees, users engaging in transactions on the Kava network are required to pay fees, which are denominated in KAVA tokens. These transaction fees are then distributed among the active validators and their delegators, forming a vital component of the network's ongoing maintenance and operational funding. Furthermore, Kava operates with an inflation mechanism where new KAVA tokens are periodically minted. These newly created tokens are strategically allocated to fund various ecosystem initiatives, such as the Kava Rise program. This program is instrumental in supporting the network's continuous decentralization efforts, enhancing its security infrastructure, and ensuring the long-term stability and growth of the Kava ecosystem, ultimately aligning the interests of all stakeholders with the network’s prosperity.

The Osmosis network implements a sophisticated system of incentive mechanisms and applicable fees, meticulously crafted to foster active participation from validators, delegators, and liquidity providers. This multi-faceted approach is crucial for safeguarding the network's security, optimizing its efficiency, and ensuring ample liquidity for its decentralized exchange functionalities.

Validators form the backbone of the network, securing transactions and proposing new blocks. Their diligent work is rewarded primarily through transaction fees and block rewards, which are distributed in OSMO tokens. This incentive structure is designed to motivate validators to maintain high operational uptime and process transactions accurately and efficiently. Complementing the validators are delegators—OSMO token holders who, instead of running their own validator nodes, contribute to network security by staking their tokens with chosen validators. In return for their delegated stake, they receive a proportionate share of the rewards earned by their chosen validators, thereby promoting broader participation in network governance and security without the need for advanced technical expertise.

Given Osmosis's role as a decentralized exchange, it heavily incentivizes liquidity providers (LPs). Users who contribute pairs of assets to various liquidity pools on Osmosis earn swap fees generated from the trading activities occurring within those pools. To further encourage the establishment of deep and stable liquidity, LPs may also be granted additional incentives, often in the form of OSMO tokens. A notable and innovative feature is Superfluid Staking, which allows liquidity providers to simultaneously stake a portion of their OSMO tokens that are already committed within liquidity pools. This mechanism enables users to earn both staking rewards, contributing to network security, and liquidity provision rewards, thereby significantly enhancing capital efficiency and deepening the network's overall liquidity.

Regarding applicable fees, users are required to pay transaction fees, denominated in OSMO tokens, for a wide range of network activities. These activities include executing swaps on the decentralized exchange, participating in staking operations, and engaging in governance votes. The collected transaction fees are then systematically distributed among the validators and delegators, forming a vital component of their economic compensation. This integrated fee structure ensures continuous support for network security and sustains participation from all key stakeholders, fostering a self-sustaining and robust ecosystem where economic incentives are closely aligned with operational stability and growth.

Cosmos is present on the following networks: Binance Smart Chain, Cosmos, Kava, Osmosis.

The methodology for calculating the energy consumption of the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) network, which then serves as a basis for attributing a fraction of energy to tokens operating on it, primarily utilizes a "bottom-up" approach. This method focuses on the individual components of the network to aggregate a comprehensive energy profile. The central factor in this calculation is identified as the network nodes themselves.

Assumptions regarding the hardware used within the BSC network are derived from extensive empirical findings. These findings are gathered through a combination of public information sites, sophisticated open-source crawlers, and proprietary in-house developed crawlers. The primary determinants for estimating the specific hardware deployed are the technical requirements necessary to operate the client software of the network. To ensure accuracy, the energy consumption of these identified hardware devices is rigorously measured in certified test laboratories. This precise measurement allows for a detailed understanding of the power demands of the operational infrastructure.

For the comprehensive identification of all implementations of an asset within scope, the Functionally Fungible Group Digital Token Identifier (FFG DTI) is employed, where available. The mappings associated with the FFG DTI are regularly updated based on data provided by the Digital Token Identifier Foundation. The information regarding both the hardware in use and the total number of participants active within the network is based on assumptions that undergo best-effort verification using empirical data. Generally, participants are presumed to be largely economically rational in their decision-making. As a precautionary principle, in situations of uncertainty, assumptions tend to err on the conservative side, meaning higher estimates are made for potential adverse impacts. When determining the energy consumption for a specific token that operates on BSC, the initial step involves calculating the energy consumption of the entire Binance Smart Chain network. Following this, a fraction of the total network energy consumption is attributed to the particular crypto-asset, a fraction determined by the asset's specific activity within the network.

For the Cosmos blockchain network and its associated application-specific chains built with the Cosmos SDK, the assessment of energy consumption primarily relies on a "bottom-up" approach. This methodology identifies nodes as the principal drivers of the network's energy footprint. The underlying assumptions for these calculations are derived from extensive empirical research, utilizing a combination of publicly available information, advanced open-source crawlers, and proprietary in-house crawling tools. These tools are crucial for gathering comprehensive data across the distributed network. A key factor in estimating hardware usage within the network is determining the minimum technical specifications and operational requirements for running the client software. Once the estimated hardware is identified, the energy consumption of these specific hardware devices is meticulously measured in certified test laboratories, ensuring accuracy and reliability in the data collection process. Given the interconnected nature of the Cosmos ecosystem, the calculation of energy consumption for individual Cosmos SDK chains often extends beyond their immediate operations. For many networks, such as Saga, Terra 2.0, Cronos, and others that rely on the Cosmos Hub for security, a proportionate share of the Cosmos network's energy consumption is factored in. This proportion is typically determined based on gas consumption, reflecting the degree to which these connected networks utilize the shared security infrastructure. The process further incorporates the Functionally Fungible Group Digital Token Identifier (FFG DTI), whenever available, to comprehensively identify all relevant implementations of a crypto-asset within scope. These mappings are regularly updated, leveraging data from the Digital Token Identifier Foundation, to ensure the most current and accurate representation of the network's components. The information pertaining to the hardware deployed and the number of participants active within the network is based on assumptions that undergo rigorous verification using empirical data. As a general principle, participants are presumed to act in an economically rational manner. Furthermore, to uphold a precautionary approach, any uncertainties or ambiguities in data are addressed by adopting conservative estimations, deliberately opting for higher figures when estimating potential adverse impacts to ensure a comprehensive and cautious assessment of energy consumption.

The methodology for assessing the energy consumption of the Kava blockchain network, when evaluated as part of a broader crypto-asset's footprint (such as a token that exists across multiple DLTs), primarily employs a "bottom-up" approach. This comprehensive strategy considers the fundamental components contributing to the network's energy usage, with nodes identified as the primary drivers of consumption. The process relies on a blend of empirical findings, drawing data from publicly available information sites, proprietary in-house crawlers, and open-source crawling tools. These resources are leveraged to gather detailed insights into the operational characteristics of the network.

Key to this methodology is the estimation of hardware utilization within the network. This is primarily determined by analyzing the minimum and recommended requirements for operating the client software that powers the nodes. Once hardware specifications are identified, their respective energy consumption rates are measured under controlled conditions in certified test laboratories, ensuring accuracy and reliability. When calculating the energy consumption attributable to specific crypto-assets, such as a token like KAVA that may be deployed on multiple networks, the Functionally Fungible Group Digital Token Identifier (FFG DTI) is utilized where available. This identifier helps in scoping all implementations of the asset across different DLTs, with mappings regularly updated by the Digital Token Identifier Foundation. The data concerning the hardware and the number of participants within the network is built upon assumptions, which are diligently verified through empirical data and a general presumption of economically rational behavior among participants. A conservative precautionary principle is applied, leading to higher estimates for potential adverse impacts in situations of uncertainty, ensuring a robust and cautious assessment of the Kava network's energy footprint. While the energy consumption of the KAVA token considers its presence on various networks, the underlying methodology for assessing the Kava blockchain network's own operations focuses on its native nodes and infrastructure.

The methodology for assessing energy consumption on the Osmosis blockchain network primarily employs a "bottom-up" approach, where the individual network nodes are considered the fundamental drivers of overall energy usage. This comprehensive calculation aggregates consumption across various components to construct a holistic view of the network's energy footprint. The foundational assumptions that underpin these energy estimations are derived from empirical findings, meticulously gathered through a combination of publicly available information sites, sophisticated open-source crawlers, and proprietary in-house crawlers developed specifically for this analytical task.

A critical element of this methodology involves precisely estimating the hardware infrastructure utilized within the network. This estimation is predominantly determined by analyzing the specific technical requirements for operating the client software necessary to interact with or run nodes on the Osmosis network. Once these hardware specifications are accurately identified, the energy consumption of these particular hardware devices is rigorously measured in certified test laboratories, thereby ensuring a high degree of precision and reliability in the resultant data.

Given Osmosis's deep integration within the broader Cosmos ecosystem, its energy consumption calculation is not confined solely to its standalone mainnet activities. A significant, proportional share of the energy consumed by the interconnected Cosmos network must also be taken into account, acknowledging Cosmos's essential role in providing a foundational security infrastructure that directly benefits Osmosis. This proportional allocation is specifically determined based on the observed "gas consumption" metrics, which serve as an indicator of the computational effort contributed by Osmosis activities within the larger Cosmos framework. To maintain accuracy and ensure that all relevant implementations of the crypto-asset within scope are identified, the Functionally Fungible Group Digital Token Identifier (FFG DTI) is utilized whenever available. The mappings for these identifiers are regularly updated, drawing data from the authoritative Digital Token Identifier Foundation. Furthermore, information pertaining to the specific hardware employed and the total number of participants active within the network relies on assumptions. These assumptions are subjected to best-effort verification using empirical data, with a general premise that participants behave as economically rational actors. Adhering to a precautionary principle, conservative estimates are consistently applied in situations of uncertainty, favoring higher estimates for potential adverse environmental impacts to ensure a cautious and transparent assessment. No external links are provided in the source documents.

Cosmos is present on the following networks: Binance Smart Chain, Kava.

To ascertain the proportion of renewable energy utilized by the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) network, a detailed methodology focuses on identifying the geographical distribution of its operational nodes. This process begins with leveraging a variety of data sources, including public information websites, general open-source crawlers, and specialized in-house developed crawlers. These tools collectively help pinpoint the physical locations where the network's nodes are hosted. The precise geographic distribution of these nodes is a crucial piece of information for accurately assessing renewable energy integration.

In instances where comprehensive information regarding the geographic distribution of nodes is unavailable or insufficient, the methodology incorporates a fallback mechanism. This involves using reference networks that exhibit comparable characteristics in terms of their incentivization structures and underlying consensus mechanisms. By analyzing the renewable energy usage patterns of these similar networks, an informed estimate can be made for BSC. Once geographical data for the nodes (either direct or inferred from reference networks) is established, this geo-information is meticulously merged with publicly accessible data from Our World in Data. This external dataset provides crucial insights into the share of electricity generated by renewables globally, drawing from sources like Ember (2025) and the Energy Institute’s Statistical Review of World Energy (2024). The integration of this data allows for a granular understanding of the renewable energy mix at the node locations.

Furthermore, the energy intensity of the network is calculated as the marginal energy cost with respect to one additional transaction. This metric quantifies the energy expenditure incurred for each incremental transaction processed on the network, providing a measure of its operational efficiency from an energy perspective. The consistent use of reputable public data sources and a robust methodology ensures transparency and accuracy in reporting the renewable energy profile of the Binance Smart Chain network.

To ascertain the key energy sources and their associated methodologies for the Kava blockchain network, a detailed assessment is undertaken, focusing on understanding the energy mix powering the underlying infrastructure. This process begins with efforts to pinpoint the geographical locations of the network's nodes. Data for this localization is sourced from a combination of public information platforms, advanced open-source crawlers, and specialized in-house developed crawling tools. The precise geographical distribution of nodes is critical because it directly influences the type of electricity grid they draw power from.

In instances where comprehensive geographical information regarding node distribution is not fully available, the methodology strategically incorporates data from reference networks. These reference networks are carefully selected based on their structural comparability to the Kava network, particularly concerning their incentivization frameworks and consensus mechanisms. This ensures that the energy characteristics of the reference networks provide a relevant proxy for Kava's operational profile. Once the geographical data is established, it is meticulously integrated with extensive public data on electricity generation from renowned sources like Our World in Data. This integration allows for the calculation of the proportion of renewable energy contributing to the network's power consumption. The energy intensity, a crucial metric, is then determined by calculating the marginal energy cost associated with processing one additional transaction on the network. This provides an understanding of the energy footprint per unit of activity.

Sources for electricity generation data typically include datasets such as Ember (2025) and the Energy Institute's Statistical Review of World Energy (2024), both of which are heavily processed by Our World in Data. This rigorous approach, combining direct node location data with broader energy statistics, aims to provide a transparent and accurate picture of the energy sources powering the Kava network and its environmental implications.

For more information, refer to Share of electricity generated by renewables - Ember and Energy Institute.

Cosmos is present on the following networks: Binance Smart Chain, Kava.

The methodology for determining the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions associated with the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) network, much like the energy consumption assessment, places a strong emphasis on geographically situating its operational nodes. The initial step involves identifying the physical locations of these nodes, which is achieved through a combination of public information sites, open-source crawlers, and specialized in-house developed crawlers. Accurately mapping these locations is fundamental, as regional electricity mixes and their associated carbon footprints vary significantly.

In situations where detailed geographical information for all nodes is not readily available, the methodology incorporates a pragmatic approach. This involves utilizing reference networks that share similar characteristics, specifically in their incentivization structures and consensus mechanisms. By studying these comparable networks, reasonable inferences can be made about the likely geographic distribution and, consequently, the emissions profile of BSC's nodes. Once the geographic data is gathered or estimated, it is then meticulously integrated with publicly available information from Our World in Data. This authoritative dataset provides critical data on the carbon intensity of electricity generation across various regions, compiling information from sources such as Ember (2025) and the Energy Institute’s Statistical Review of World Energy (2024).

This integration allows for the calculation of GHG emissions based on the electricity consumption at specific node locations and the carbon intensity of those regional grids. The intensity of GHG emissions for the network is specifically calculated as the marginal emission with respect to one additional transaction. This metric quantifies the increase in GHG emissions for each incremental transaction processed on the network, offering a direct measure of its environmental impact per unit of activity. The entire process adheres to a principle of transparency, utilizing established external data sources and a consistent approach to ensure the reported GHG emissions are as accurate and comprehensive as possible, always acknowledging that the data from Our World in Data is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

The methodology for determining the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions attributable to the Kava blockchain network is closely integrated with the energy consumption assessment, building on the foundation of understanding its operational energy profile. The primary step involves accurately identifying the geographical distribution of the network's nodes, as the carbon intensity of electricity varies significantly across different regions. This geographical data is acquired through a combination of public information sites, sophisticated open-source crawlers, and specialized in-house crawling technologies.

Where direct geographic data for all nodes is insufficient, the methodology employs a pragmatic approach by utilizing reference networks. These selected reference networks share similar incentivization structures and consensus mechanisms with Kava, ensuring their GHG emission profiles serve as appropriate benchmarks. The geo-information, whether directly obtained or inferred from reference networks, is then systematically merged with comprehensive public data on the carbon intensity of electricity generation. This crucial data is often sourced from established entities such as Our World in Data, which processes information from key energy reports.

The calculation of GHG emissions then proceeds by factoring in the energy consumption data, the identified energy sources, and their corresponding carbon intensities. A critical metric derived from this analysis is the GHG intensity, which quantifies the marginal emissions produced for each additional transaction processed on the network. This granular measurement provides insight into the environmental impact per unit of network activity. Key data sources for carbon intensity typically include processed data from Ember (2025) and the Energy Institute's Statistical Review of World Energy (2024) as aggregated by Our World in Data. This multi-faceted approach aims to offer a transparent and accurate representation of the Kava network's carbon footprint, facilitating informed assessment of its environmental performance.

For more detailed information on carbon intensity, refer to Carbon intensity of electricity generation - Ember and Energy Institute.