Digital technology, apps, cloud storage and the internet. These can sometimes be thought of as things that don’t really exist. Not in the physical sense, anyway. They’re virtual. Up in the cloud. Pulses of light and high-frequency radio waves.
But there’s no avoiding it. These business enablers can have a major impact on the environment.
All those data centres, operating in the background, are reliant on energy. Lots of it. They currently account for up to 2% of the world’s total energy demand, rising to as much as 4% by the end of the decade. And that’s just the data centres. There are the devices, the manufacturing processes and the networks, all consuming energy and impacting our planet.
Yet there’s a lot your business can do to minimise its impact, without impeding your commercial performance. Here are ten practical and actionable tips that you can use to start reducing your digital carbon footprint today.
1) Keep your devices for as long as possible, and recycle and repair
Up to 83% of the carbon emissions associated with your company’s laptops may come from the manufacture of the devices, rather than how you use them.
Consider reducing the churn rate on your device fleet. The University of Edinburgh ran a pilot scheme to keep their computers for two extra years. Fully incorporated into standard practices, the energy saved is equivalent to removing more than 150 cars from the roads every year.
2) Choose energy-efficient devices
When you do replace your devices, aim for energy efficiency. Energy Star-labelled office equipment is widely available now, and can provide energy savings of as much as 75% for some products. Overall, these office products use around half the electricity of standard equipment – better for your overheads as well as the planet.
But that’s just the beginning. By choosing Energy Saving Trust recommended products, you’re selecting from the most energy-efficient devices on the market, usually in the top 20% of those available.
3) Clean out your cloud space
Emails and instant messaging rely on electricity and data for sending, receiving and storage. Sending an email with a large attachment can use up to 50 grams of CO2e, which is equivalent to boiling a kettle three times.
Instead of sending attachments, use links to online files wherever possible, and regularly delete old emails from your inbox.
Only 5% of data is actively reused after 90 days of storage, so periodically cull the files that you no longer need.
4) Make your website more efficient
By using clean and efficient code you will reduce the amount of energy your website requires, significantly lessening its environmental impact.
If you can, remove or minify unnecessary and unused code. Make sure all your plugins are up to date. Reduce the size of images, and consider your use of colour. Different colours impact power usage in different ways. While black uses the least power and white uses the most, blue uses 25% more power than green or red.
5) Evaluate your suppliers
Take a look at your suppliers. Are they truly green and ethical? For example, is your website powered by 100% renewable electricity from the sun, wind and sea? Or is carbon offsetting at work?
As well as evaluating your web hosting and energy suppliers and considering low carbon transportation, you could establish a green supplier code of conduct for your suppliers, products and services. As time goes on this kind of environmental due diligence will be expected more and more of companies. Those not following suit will be either passed over or taken to account by prospective clients.
6) Be mindful of your AI use
AI is a great tool. It can increase productivity, accelerate decision-making and reduce costs. It can also behave unpredictably, impact creativity and place high demands on the Earth’s resources.
A ChatGPT query consumes up to 25 times more energy than a Google search. You could consider using AI for data-driven insights, improved customer service or operational efficiencies, particularly if your energy is being produced by environmentally friendly methods. However, perhaps think twice before using it to generate a two-minute email for example.
7) Understand your digital carbon footprint
Somewhere along the way, you’ll want to measure your company’s carbon footprint. This will give you insights into your current activities and how you can further reduce your greenhouse emissions, allowing your business to become more sustainable over time.
Test your website and assess your digital footprint using tools provided by companies such as Digital Carbon Online.
8) Unplug equipment when it isn’t in use
This might seem like a very basic point, but it is worth mentioning. When devices are plugged in, they still use electricity, even when on standby.
Standby power consumption accounts for 1% of carbon emissions and 2% of overall electricity usage. Although this seems like it could represent a small number, it doesn’t. In 2022, global energy usage was estimated at 26,587,000,000,000 kilowatt-hours, so 2% of that is a big deal.
9) Switch to sustainable search engines
In July 2024, more than 91% of web search traffic went through Google, with each search producing around 0.2 grams of CO2e. That’s 700 million grams of CO2e every day, which is the equivalent of driving more than 1.7 million miles. That’s 68 times around the Earth’s equator. Every day.
By switching to a search engine such as Ecosia, Ocean Hero or Ekoru, your searches will help to offset carbon emissions, protect biodiversity hotspots or remove plastic from the oceans.
10) Engage your employees and your networks
Encourage your team to adopt environmentally friendly practices, not only at work, but also at home. Becoming a more eco-friendly business relies on the mindset and motivation of the team around you. Get everyone involved. Communicate your sustainability initiatives and what they mean for your business, your employees, your city and your planet.
Also take to your social channels to spread the word and promote sustainable change to others – only by working together will we change business for the better and turn the tide on the climate crisis.
This post was originally published on here
