How to Reduce Your Digital Carbon Footprint: Eco-Gestures for Responsible Digital Use

In 2020, the carbon footprint of digital technology was 16.9 million tonnes of CO2 (in France, according to the telecoms regulator ARCEP), and this figure keeps rising! With the rise of digital technologies, our daily use of electronic devices and the Internet has increased considerably. However, this rapid digital shift has led to a growing environmental footprint. In this article, after becoming aware of the impacts of our digital use, you will discover the good practices to put in place to reduce your digital carbon footprint and work toward more responsible digital technology.

1) Responsible digital eco-gestures: definition

Responsible digital eco-gestures refer to all the actions and practices that users of digital technology can adopt to reduce their environmental impact. These gestures aim to minimize energy consumption, extend the lifespan of electronic devices, and reduce the production of electronic waste.

2) Why are digital eco-gestures a topic today?

Digital eco-gestures are discussed more and more today because we need to reduce the environmental footprint of this sector, which keeps growing. In France, it already accounts for 2.5% of the national carbon footprint. Moreover, according to the pre-report of the French Senate's fact-finding mission on the environmental footprint of digital technology, digital greenhouse gas emissions could increase by 60% by 2040 if nothing is done, reaching about 7% of the carbon footprint. That is why the French government is seeking to reduce the environmental footprint of digital technology. It has set up the "Numérique écoresponsable" acceleration strategy (eco-responsible digital acceleration strategy), which aims to develop an eco-responsible, competitive and sovereign digital economy by 2030.

3) What are the main sources of digital impact?

Production of electronic devices

Manufacturing electronic devices accounts for the largest share of digital pollution. According to Bpifrance, the manufacturing phase accounts for about 80% of the pollution generated by digital devices. This is partly because making an electronic device requires importing raw materials weighing on average 50 to 350 times the weight of the device itself, usually from every corner of the globe. The overconsumption of materials caused by this production leaves some areas damaged. This is the case of Bangka Island in Indonesia, which is rich in tin, a material used in the manufacturing of phones, and has seen 65% of its forests and 70% of its coral reefs degraded. In addition, the many journeys involved in production also increase the environmental cost, especially when you know that a smartphone travels around the world four times on average before reaching our hands (ADEME, the French agency for ecological transition).

Good to know: making a 2 kg computer uses 600 kg of raw materials. It also generates 103 kg of CO2 out of the 156 kg emitted over its entire life cycle (ADEME).

Use of online services

The energy consumption of online services is also a significant part of our digital ecological footprint. Data centers, which host our emails, videos and other data, run continuously and require a huge amount of electricity to power the servers and cooling systems. For example, video streaming, which makes up a large share of global Internet traffic, consumes enormous amounts of bandwidth and energy. In addition, sending and receiving emails, especially those with large attachments, also contributes to this high consumption. The growing demand for faster and more accessible online services makes the problem even worse, leading to a constant increase in the capacity and number of data centers, and therefore in their environmental impact. Indeed, according to a study by the Haut Conseil pour le Climat (France's High Council on Climate), 5G will increase the carbon footprint of the digital sector in France by 18 to 45% by 2030, a concrete example of the rebound effect. When a technology that is supposed to be more eco-responsible arrives, users adapt their behavior and overconsume, which cancels out the positive effects of these new devices and can even increase the carbon footprint.

End of life of equipment

Finally, managing the end of life of electronic equipment is a major issue in reducing the environmental impact of digital technology. When devices reach the end of their life, they become electronic waste, which is complex and costly to manage. Every person on the planet produces an average of 7.6 kg of electronic waste, which adds up to 57.4 million tonnes generated worldwide (Global E-waste Monitor 2020). Much of this waste contains toxic substances, such as lead, mercury and cadmium, which can contaminate soil and groundwater if not properly treated. Indeed, it is estimated that 50 million tonnes of electronic waste are dumped in landfills every year, where lead and toxic chemicals from discarded devices pollute the soil and contaminate the water (Sciencing). Moreover, the recycling rate of electronic equipment remains insufficient, and a large share of this waste ends up in landfills, where it is often handled in conditions that are dangerous for health and the environment.

4) Our tips for more sustainable digital use

To adopt more responsible digital habits, here are some practical tips to put into practice.

Extend the lifespan of your equipment

• Keep the same device as long as it works: do not be swayed by the latest trends; try to keep the same device until it really stops working.
• Protect your devices: for example, remember to fit your phone with a case and a screen protector to prevent it from failing prematurely.
• Try to repair: when your device seems repairable, look for solutions rather than buying a new one right away.
• Favor recycling: when your device really no longer works, you can drop it off at an electronics store, which will most likely be able to give your equipment a second life in one way or another.

Reduce energy consumption

• Screen and power-saving mode: optimize your devices' screen settings to reduce their brightness and energy consumption, in particular by turning on power-saving mode.
• Remember to turn things off: do not leave your devices on or on standby all the time. When you do not need your internet box at night, turn it off.
• Unplug your devices: when your digital device is fully charged, unplug it.

Manage your digital data

• Rethink how you communicate: cut down on unnecessary emails and large attachments by favoring concise messages and sharing links.
• Declutter: avoid storing useless or large files, and regularly delete files you no longer use or that are out of date. Also tidy up the tabs you have open.

Promote digital eco-design

• Buy second-hand: if you need to replace a device, try to favor refurbished ones.
• Buy devices designed to last: choose durable digital products and services, made from recycled materials and designed to minimize their environmental impact.
• Pay attention to brands: when buying, favor brands that are committed to digital sustainability.

5) Conclusion

It is essential to become aware of our environmental impact in our daily use of digital technology. By adopting responsible digital eco-gestures, we can all help preserve the environment for future generations. Reducing our energy consumption, managing our digital data and promoting eco-design are all concrete measures we can take right now. Let's act together for responsible and sustainable digital technology.