The road to more responsible digital practices

Digital practices have long gone under the radar in terms of our discussions about reducing consumption, yet it has a significant impact on the environment. On a global level, it now represents two to three times France’s carbon footprint. We must reduce this impact and be more digitally responsible.  

“Think green – don’t print this email.” While this is now well known, we have long misunderstood the environmental impact of digital practices. Synonymous with using less paper and having to travel less, digital technology has also provided us with unlimited access to information, improved exchanges and instant communications. It has long been associated with progress and modernisation. The Covid-19 pandemic has further highlighted how essential digital technology is as it has meant we have continued to be able to work remotely, learn from home and remain in contact with our loved ones.  

4% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, a figure set to double in 2025

While all things digital are intangible, they have a very real impact on the environment. According to the think tank The Shift Project, the digital world accounted for 4% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, and this could double by 2025. Even so, this sector continues to have little involvement in the movement towards greater sobriety. “Over the last few years, all industrial players have made great strides on a design front. Just take the automobile industry as an example: cars consume two times less fuel than 20 years ago. Only the digital sector remains unchecked. Given the sector’s intangible image and that it is not physical, it is hard to make the connection between the digital sector and carbon footprints. And yet, digital technology causes carbon degradation, as well as other irreversible types of environmental damage: consumption of water, finite raw materials and chemical treatments that generate considerable pollution,” Denis Didier, project manager for the Responsible Design Repository of Digital Services at the Institut du Numérique Responsable (INR). Since 2018, this association has been bringing together more than 80 companies and organisations of all sizes that are committed to working towards responsible digital practices that respect the environment, are inclusive, community-oriented and ethical. As the author of a ‘Responsible Digital Technology Charter’ to which more than 130 business and local authorities have signed up since 2019, the INR is also taking steps to train economic players in digital sobriety. That’s why the association launched the “Ambassadeurs numérique responsable” programme [Responsible digital technology ambassadors] with the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in 2021. The aim of this trial is to raise awareness about digital pollution and bring about change. The Communauté d’Agglomération Pays Basque and the Cluster Pays Basque Digital are also participating in this programme (read more below).