This scoping review examines how digital technologies in education play a crucial role in achieving significant and lasting reductions in carbon emissions at all levels of education. By examining a comprehensive dataset of 10,508 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus, covering the period from 2015 to 2024, this study identifies key areas where digital integration can substantially enhance environmental sustainability. The evidence suggests that transitioning to online learning platforms and digital classrooms can reduce the need for physical infrastructure, resulting in energy consumption reductions of approximately 30–40% per student, depending on local energy sources and how quickly technology is adopted. The widespread adoption of e-books, digital libraries, and online assessment tools has the potential to reduce paper usage by up to 60% per institution, significantly reducing emissions associated with printing and transportation. However, the review also highlights the need to balance carbon reduction initiatives with the educational experience and well-being of students and educators. While digital learning provides flexibility and accessibility, excessive screen time and less face-to-face interaction could negatively impact mental health, social development, and quality of instruction. The carbon footprint of digital infrastructure, such as data centers and device manufacturing, should be considered when assessing overall environmental benefits. These findings emphasise the importance of fostering digital literacy and climate-awareness practices among educators and students. Future research should empirically measure carbon reductions in various contexts and explore integrated models that maximise environmental benefits without jeopardizing the learning outcomes or well-being of all stakeholders. This review shows that strategic and fair implementation of digital technologies can transform the education sector into a significant player in the fight against climate change.

Keywords: Digital technologies, carbon emission reduction, education system, sustainable practices, virtual learning environments.