WWF UK gets backlash over ‘eco-friendly’ NFTs launching on Polygon

Global companies trying to make crypto assets a part of their marketing strategy have been met with a vast range of reactions from the public. In the latest incident, WWF UK was in the line of fire for raising awareness about endangered wildlife – with the help of NFTs.

Clawing at controversy

The conservation group, recognized world over thanks to its panda-themed logo, announced the ‘Tokens for Nature,’ project launching on 3 February. The project will use NFTs on Polygon to raise awareness about endangered animals, while funds will reportedly go to support the group’s conservation efforts. What’s more, NFT holders can win special WWF experiences.

The countdown is officially on!

We're launching our new eco-friendly NFTs, built on @0xPolygon, at 09:00 GMT on Thursday 3rd February.

This is your chance to support 13 of the most endangered species in the world??? #WWFTokensForNature

Learn more: https://t.co/7ZE7OMWkax pic.twitter.com/uIT6AYkQ1O

— WWF UK (@wwf_uk) January 31, 2022

However, the feedback has been far from positive.

Though WWF UK insisted that it was releasing “eco-friendly” NFTs on the Polygon blockchain, many users disagree. While some feel that Polygon is far from the best blockchain for such an endeavor [Tezos and IOTA were alternative suggestions], others believe that environmental groups and NFTs should never mix.

Nosing out NFTs

WWF UK published a detailed statement defending its use of Polygon, noting,

“If we sell all 8,716 NFTs, this will equate to 3.69016735kWh emitting just 1.80061716kg of CO2e. This is equivalent to the carbon emissions from a pint of milk,¹⁰ a little less than that of a box of six eggs¹¹ and just over half that of one 4-oz burger.¹²

However, WWF UK was also working with OpenSea for an NFT drop. OpenSea is notorious for consuming large amounts of gas, and even at press time, was the top gas guzzler on Ethereum, using 18.59% in the past 24 hours.

However, Polygon stressed on the difference between its Co2 emissions and those of Ethereum, stating,

“Ethereum’s CO2 emissions currently clock at roughly 92.23 kg per transaction, compared with just 0.0003 kg for Polygon PoS. That’s the difference between burning 46 kg of coal and about one tenth of a gram.”

Even so, critics feel that using Polygon for an NFT drop goes to increase the carbon footprint of both OpenSea and Ethereum.

A report by The Hill estimated that OpenSea had resulted in about 67.8 million kilograms in carbon emissions since entering the scene. This figure is from early 2021.

Wen eco-friendly?

Nature loving crypto investors are eagerly waiting for Ethereum’s switch to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, with many hoping to avoid the shame that comes with the carbon emissions attached to a proof-of-work system.

Ethereum developer Tim Beiko explained that work on the Shanghai hard fork was underway. This will be an important update as developers prepare for ‘Eth1’ and ‘Eth2’ to become one chain.