How Businesses Can Minimise Their Digital Carbon Footprint With 5 Solutions

When it comes to our planet, we often focus on the physical things we can see and touch – like pollution or deforestation. But there’s another, less visible threat that is just as damaging: our digital carbon footprint.

From the electricity used to power our devices to the carbon emitted by data centres. It’s growing at a relentless pace, as we become ever more reliant on technology.

The digital age has brought many advantages to businesses, including increased efficiency and productivity. However, it has also resulted in a huge increase in the amount of energy used by businesses. 

In fact, research suggests that ICT (information and communications technology) accounts for around 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions – a figure that is expected to rise in the coming years as more and more businesses go digital.

Photo by NASA on Unsplash

So, what can businesses do to reduce their digital carbon footprint? Here are some tips:

1. Use energy-efficient equipment

One of the simplest ways to reduce your business’s energy consumption is to switch to energy-efficient equipment. This includes things like LED lights, laptops and printers.

2. Implement a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy

Encouraging employees to bring their own laptops, tablets and smartphones to work can help to reduce your business’s energy consumption. This is because devices that are owned by employees tend to be more energy-efficient than those owned by businesses.

Here are some tips on how to implement a successful BYOD policy:

• Define what you want to achieve with BYOD. Is it to reduce paper waste? Save on energy costs? Free up desk space? Once you know your goals, it will be easier to develop a plan that meets them.
• “Draft a clear and comprehensive policy. Include what types of devices are allowed, any restrictions on usage, and how data will be stored and accessed. Make sure all employees understand the policy before implementing it”, recommends digital reputation management company Remove Digital.
• Choose the right platform. There are a variety of BYOD platforms available, so do your research to find one that best meets your needs.
• “Be prepared for challenges. Any new policy is bound to come with some challenges, so be prepared for them. Have a plan in place for how you will address any issues that arise.

3. Use cloud-based services

Another way to reduce your business’s digital carbon footprint is to use cloud-based services instead of on-premise software. “This is because cloud-based services use less energy as they are hosted in data centres that are designed specifically for energy efficiency”, as suggested by a SAAS business intelligence tool by Fourth Dimension. 

A recent study found that companies can save up to 90% on their carbon footprints by using cloud services. This is because cloud providers invest heavily in renewable energy and efficient data centre infrastructure, meaning they can pass these savings on to their customers. 

Additionally, many cloud services are now offered on a pay-as-you-go basis, so you only pay for what you use – making them even more cost effective.

4. Enable power saving mode on devices

Many devices, such as computers and printers, have a power saving mode that can help to reduce energy consumption. Enabling this mode on all devices in your office can make a big difference to your business’s carbon footprint.

5. Educate employees about energy saving

“Finally, it’s important to educate your employees about energy saving. This includes things like switching off lights and equipment when they’re not in use, and unplugging chargers when they’re not needed”, points out commercial and residential demolition contractors from Hives. Who especially belongs to an industry opposite the environment yet know, they must do everything in their power to make the world greener.

Photo by Myicahel Tamburini

By following these tips, you can help to reduce your business’s digital carbon footprint and do your part to protect the environment.