Using apps, platforms and internet browsers

According to Mike Hazas, a researcher at Lancaster University, the carbon footprint of our gadgets, the internet, and their supporting systems currently contributes to 3.7% of global greenhouse emissions, comparable to the impact of the airline industry. What’s even more concerning is that these emissions are projected to double by 2025.

When conducting quick searches online, you’ll come across various carbon footprint calculators. The Website Carbon Calculator indicates that an average web page produces about 0.5 grams of CO₂ per pageview. For a website with 10,000 monthly pageviews, this amounts to approximately 60 kg of CO₂ per year.

To address our environmental impact both at a global and individual level, we need to consider some crucial aspects. Collaboration across industries becomes imperative to adopt sustainable practices. Developers and service providers must prioritise energy-efficient coding methods and optimise server infrastructures to minimise the ecological footprint of digital platforms and apps.

As individuals, professionals also have a role to play and hold a responsibility to make environmentally conscious choices. By opting for eco-friendly internet browsers and energysaving apps, professionals can also actively contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of platforms and apps.