How your tech choices impact carbon emissions
Our recent journey with becoming Toitū certified helped us evaluate different parts of our business and make positive changes towards reducing emissions. We know that climate change is also a concern for many of our clients, and that you’re also curious about ways that your business can operate with more carbon efficiency and reduce your impact on the environment.
The reality is, one area that often goes overlooked is the technology that companies use. We often want to use the most high-spec tools for the job, and our employees may also have their preferences when it comes to choosing or upgrading your business tech stack. Who doesn’t love getting their hands on the latest release of shiny hardware? However, the choices a business makes about their hardware and software can have a significant impact on carbon emissions, so if reducing impact is important to you, taking a stance on what your organisation chooses to use can make a difference.
How technology contributes to carbon emissions
The manufacturing, use and disposal of technology products, such as computers and smartphones, require a significant amount of energy and resources. Data centres that store and process information also consume large amounts of energy. This energy consumption leads to the release of greenhouse gases, which, as we know, contribute to climate change. According to the Global e-Sustainability Initiative, the ICT industry is responsible for around 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the aviation industry.
Knowing your impact
First, you need to understand your footprint, so you know where you’re starting from. Set some goals in place, and from there build out a roadmap with benchmarks so you can better understand how technology choices are moving you closer towards your emission ambitions. The Sustainable Business Network offers a Climate Action Toolbox so you can begin to measure your emissions, while Toitū also offers a carbon assess tool for SMEs.
Ways to reduce your carbon emissions
While every business will have their own needs and restraints, here are some of our recommendations to keep in mind when it comes to reducing the impact of your tech stack:
When purchasing new hardware, look for devices that are energy efficient. This can be achieved by selecting products that have received certifications such as Energy Star or EPEAT. Established by the Green Electronics Council, EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) sets out criteria across different technology product categories which helps consumers evaluate and compare products based on their lifecycle environmental performance. As an example HP Elitebook laptops are EPEAT Gold certified, have a documented carbon footprint, and are end-user repairable and upgradeable.
Establish policy around more conscious use of technology - this could include things like turning off devices when not in use, using energy-saving modes, using rechargeable batteries and recycling e-waste. Encourage employees to reduce paper use through digital workflows and communication.
Reduce unnecessary travel and opt for virtual. We are all now well-versed in the use of virtual meeting tools (Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams), and with the rise in remote, hybrid and distributed teams, these platforms should be viewed as a workspace, rather than just as a communication tool.
On-site data centres can consume large amounts of energy. Cloud computing reduces the need for physical servers and saves energy - better yet if those centres are powered by renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power. Even businesses who operate largely ‘remotely’ already can still make improvements by choosing the right platforms. Switching to climate-friendly, cloud-based solutions can curb your emissions - look for partners and providers that use renewable energy, offsets, or both.
Moving your applications and data to the cloud is a sustainable step in itself, but not all cloud providers are created equal when it comes to environmental impact. The ICT sector’s carbon footprint could be reduced by over 80% if all electricity consumed came from renewable energy sources. We looked into how the three big cloud providers - Microsoft Azure, AWS and Google Cloud - stack up in more detail in a previous post: How environmentally friendly is your cloud hosting?
Ambitious businesses with the means may also consider switching to renewable energy sources to power their technology, by installing their own sources (eg. solar panels), or purchasing renewable energy credits from energy providers. With an increasing trend in sustainable offices, more businesses are seeking out Certified Green Star buildings (like our office, The Grid!).
While taking responsibility for your impact is simply a part of being a good corporate citizen, businesses who demonstrate a sustainable conscience also capture the attention of increasingly conscious customers who want to choose products and services whose values align with their own. Doing good business is good for business!
We know, though, that change can take time (and sometimes comes up against resistance), which is why it helps to consider a roadmap that results in minimal disruption and optimal uptake through the right tools, training and support. That’s something our team can help with, so if you’re keen to make some positive changes for the climate through your technology, get in touch.