According to ITU, the digital sector accounts for a massive 1.5% - 4% of global carbon emissions. And with artificial intelligence (AI), streaming, and cloud computing driving ever more data usage, our collective “digital weight” is only increasing.
In an increasingly AI-driven, digital-first world, now is the perfect time to take stock of our online habits and explore how we can all make more sustainable digital choices, without compromising on the productivity benefits the digital world can offer.
Do some digital spring cleaning (yes, your inbox counts)
Inbox zero might sound mythical, but decluttering your digital life does more than clear your head. Every email stored on a server consumes energy. Multiply that by the billions of unread emails worldwide, and you get a surprisingly large carbon footprint.
Start small:
- Unsubscribe from newsletters you never read
- Empty your spam and trash folders regularly
- Delete old files and unused apps, especially in cloud storage (data centers are energy-hungry).
Feeling camera shy? Go audio-only
Remember the endless video calls of 2020? Video streaming remains one of the biggest contributors to internet energy use. A video call uses many times the energy and carbon footprint of audio-only calls.
If it’s not essential to be on camera, switch it off without shame. AI meeting assistants like Fathom or Zoom’s AI Companion can take notes, transcribe, and summarize your meetings even if you’re audio-only.
So, the next time you’re camera-shy or have a messy background, just say you’re doing it for the planet (and your sanity).
Choose a sustainable energy provider
With hybrid and remote work becoming the norm, our home energy choices now play a big role in our workplace sustainability. Switching to a renewable energy provider or green tariff is still one of the most impactful steps you can take.
You can either look for a green tariff with your existing energy provider (where they will either invest your money in carbon offsetting or buy renewable energy to cover your usage) or search for a provider whose focus is on investing in renewable energy sources.
That way you can rest assured that when you are charging your devices or browsing the web, the source of the energy to power these actions will be the best option for the planet.
Scale down and switch off
The simplest rule still applies: if you’re not using it, turn it off.
- Shut down your laptop instead of leaving it on sleep.
- Unplug chargers when not in use (yes, even if you are not charging anything, it still uses a small amount of power).
- Opt for smaller devices like tablets or phones for quick browsing or searches.
How can your firm become more conscious about its digital carbon footprint?
At Conscious, we are currently measuring our digital footprint and looking at ways that we can positively contribute to the environment.
Want to have a chat about your digital carbon footprint? Give us a call on 0117 253 0153.