Sustainable Quantum Computing: Analyzing Costs and Carbon Emissions

As quantum computing progresses from theory to practical systems, its environmental and economic sustainability remains underexplored. This paper analyzes both the carbon footprint and cost implications of quantum computing technologies, with attention to their alignment with global sustainability goals. Key contributors to energy consumption, emissions, and operational costs are identified across the quantum computing lifecycle: hardware manufacturing, cryogenic cooling, runtime power demands, and quantum circuit simulation. The study employs a qualitative methodology, integrating a comprehensive review of scientific literature, environmental assessments, cost analysis reports, and benchmarking frameworks. It further presents a comparative analysis of quantum and classical high-performance computing (HPC), evaluating energy efficiency, environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness across realistic scenarios. By addressing both sustainability and economic dimensions, this research provides new insights for developers and policymakers, supporting the advancement of greener and more cost-effective quantum technologies.