EcoStats 2024: New figures confirm the growing trend towards digital signatures

The latest EcoStats figures for 2024 show a continued increase in the use of digital signatures via A-Trust QES (ID Austria & xIDENTITY). A significant increase in signed documents was recorded, compared to the previous year. This has not only led to users saving significant time, but also to considerable savings in paper, CO₂ emissions and other resources.

Increased use of digital signatures

In 2024, a total of 58.6 million digital signatures were executed via the A-Trust QES, which compared to the 52.7 million signatures in 2023, was a growth of 11 %. This development illustrates the continuing trend towards digitization and the increasing acceptance of electronic signatures in various application areas, especially in document management, registration processes and the eGovernment sector.

Significant savings in paper and resources

The increasing use of digital signatures saved 91 million A4 sheets of paper - 9 million more than in 2023. This once again made a significant contribution to reducing paper consumption.

In addition, the following resources were saved in 2024 using A-Trust QES

• CO₂:444.79 tons saved (2023: 401 tons)
• Water: 23.06 million liters saved (2023: 20.83 million liters)
• Wood: 986.68 tons saved (2023: 891 tons)

Saving time with digital signatures

Digitalization benefits both the environment and users: the elimination of the process of printing and visits to authorities has saved a total of 1,215 person-years - an increase of 121 years compared to 2023 (1,094 person-years).

For each person signing, this results in an average time saving of 2.92 hours per year (2023: 2.5 hours). This shows that digital processes are not only more sustainable, but also considerably more efficient than conventional paper-based processes.

The growing use of digital signatures highlights the increasing establishment and reliance on electronic document processing, making a lasting sustainable contribution to the digitalization of administrative and business processes.

EcoStats for 2025 will be collected at the end of the year and released in early 2026. Given current trends, positive progress in resource conservation and efficiency is expected to continue.

Further information on the EcoStats can be found here.