While digital is taking root in the company on a long-term basis, the issues surrounding CSR can no longer be analysed without taking digital into account. The Digital for the Planet organization has 9 rules for responsible digital use.
The widespread use of digital technology in the company has an increasingly lower environmental cost. Behind the immateriality of an email or internet search are storage centres that generate significant CO2 or carbon dioxide emissions. This is why the association Digital for the Planet seeks to communicate on the subject and to educate around good digital practices. Its founder Inès Leonarduzzi _ for whom “information is the basis of the ecological digital transition”_ notes that “there is an awareness that has increased and continues to increase”. Digital for the Planet supports various companies _ GRDF, Ekwateur or public institutions such as the National Assembly _ to measure their digital carbon footprint. “It’s about analyzing where the avoidable consumption points are,” she explains. But measuring is not enough, we must act. Digital for the Planet proposes to implement 9 simple actions for a responsible digital.
1. Cleaning your mailbox
Storing emails in data centers is very energy-intensive. A company that sends 3 million emails emits up to 30 tons of CO2. Sorting, by deleting some emails, becomes crucial. It is possible to clean up your email with the free Cleanfox solution, which offers, among other things, to easily unsubscribe from newsletters that have become unwanted.
2. Close unused tabs
An open tab is constantly updated and runs the data centers. The Great Suspender solution, an extension of a search engine such as Google or Bing, allows you to put unused tabs to sleep to prevent them from automatically refreshing.
3. Favouring responsible smartphones
A company can be more responsible, through these purchases in technology, if it favours professional telephones that are less energy consuming and equipped with smaller screens, for example. Equipping employees with more ethical technology is also a solution: Fairphone smartphones have a dual Sim to have only one phone, professional and personal, easily repairable.
4. Use an ethical search engine
To surf the Internet while reducing its carbon impact, it is also sufficient to install ethical search engines such as Ecosia, Ecogine, Qwant or Lilo. This is an opportunity to protect your data while financing solidarity and ecological causes.
5. Type the URL in the search bar
When the user uses a search engine, the data center first transmits the home page, then the user writes a query by keyword, then the data center sends the results found. As soon as the user clicks on what interests him, the data center of the host of the selected site transmits the web page. By typing the URL of the site directly into the search bar, you simplify the process and reduce the carbon footprint of a search.
6. Disable unnecessary notifications
Many applications constantly solicit users with incentive notifications. Disabling or setting notifications avoids generating undesirable requests. It’s also a good way to disconnect when you spend too much time on social networks.
7. Unplug your phone as soon as it is charged
Once charging is complete, it is important to disconnect the electronic device as it continues to consume. A simple and ecological gesture.
8. Focus on communication platforms
Rather than communicating by email with many collaborators in copy, it is desirable to favour the use of collaborative platforms (Whatsapp, Workplace and others).
9. Delete unused applications
Even if it is no longer used, a properly installed application continues to use phone resources and generate automatic updates. Removing them avoids consuming energy for no reason.