6th May 2026
It is incredibly easy to think of your website, and the web as a whole, as an invisible "cloud" floating in a digital space. But the reality is much more tangible. Every website is powered by physical resources: servers, routers, expansive data centres, and the heavy-duty cooling systems required to keep them running. All of this physical infrastructure demands a massive amount of electricity. As website owners, considering where that power comes from and how efficiently it is used is the first step toward a greener internet.
So, what does a sustainable physical foundation for your website actually look like? Let's take a look inside our Green Hosting...
The London-based data centre which houses our Green Hosting servers, routers, and cooling systems runs entirely on renewable energy. This power is purchased directly from wind, solar, and hydro sources.
However, true sustainability is about more than just sourcing green power, it is about respecting it. Our data centre isn’t wasteful with that green energy. In fact, it has achieved an outstanding Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.09, making it one of the most efficient data centres in the world.
By only using as much power as you need, reducing waste, and designing systems that require less power from the start, we reduce the demand on precious natural resources and the infrastructure that supplies it. This, in turn, can allow for more widespread use of renewables and potentially lower energy costs. For us, it always comes back to being part of a wider movement for positive change, for people and the planet.
How does our data centre achieve this incredible level of efficiency? It comes down to its intelligent design and build.
Firstly, servers get very hot. To keep them cool, the facility employs ‘evaporative cooling’, which works by running air and water via EcoCooling units. Simply put, outside cool air is passed through water which evaporates and makes the air even cooler. On cold days (which are quite common in the UK!), the water isn’t even needed, and on hot days it can easily handle the strain. Most importantly, this type of cooling uses no refrigeration or harmful chemicals.
In addition, the data centre applies ‘cold aisle containment’. This clever design ensures that the hot air produced by the servers and the freshly cooled air are kept strictly separate, meaning the cooling process isn’t compromised.
And it doesn’t stop there. This facility has plans to add its own roof-mounted solar panel array, providing additional on-site renewable energy.
Here at Green Hosting, we work to make a positive impact by diverting websites and e-mail services (hundreds to to date) away from fossil fuel-powered hosting services to our 100% renewable energy-powered service. We also continue to proudly promote renewable energy hosting and our clients who choose it.
Switching to Green Hosting means that our clients’ websites are directly helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but that’s not all. Together, through our consumer power, we are sending a strong message to utility and data centre companies that website owners want more clean energy.
Get in touch
If you'd like to know more about switching your website to Green Hosting, get it touch. It is much easier than you think!
16th Apr 2026
A recent YouGov study highlighted a clear message from the British public: industries are falling short on environmental responsibility. Across various sectors, only 9-11% of consumers feel businesses are making sufficient efforts toward sustainability, while 60% view climate change as the greatest threat to civilisation.
Consumers care about the environment, yet there is a strong perception that business owners are not doing enough to protect it. And that sucks.
There is one impactful step to greening a business that is often overlooked, and that is its website. This can equally be one of the easiest and most cost-effective areas to improve.
Every website needs to be hosted, but many are still reliant on servers powered by fossil fuels. By migrating your website to green hosting (powered 100% by renewable energy) you can significantly reduce your digital carbon footprint.
Making the switch is incredibly accessible. In fact we provide a switching service. Even better, the transfer can be made for as little as £25 and completed in one day.
If you are exploring ways to reduce your organisation’s environmental impact, get in touch with us and we'll be more than happy to help you.
23rd Mar 2026
Make Hay Ethical E-media and Green Hosting is now officially accredited by the Good Business Charter (GBC).
This is an important step for us to demonstrate that our business acts responsibly across the board - for our staff, our customers, our suppliers, society and the planet.
To gain accreditation we commit to and gave examples of our good business practices in 10 areas. Those are:
The Good Business Charter is essentially a benchmark for positive business in the UK and a credible signpost that stakeholders can trust.
We love the ethos of the GBC, that responsible business doesn’t need to be complicated or niche. It’s simply about treating people fairly and doing the right thing. We have worked this way from the start of our business journey, so we are delighted to now be in good company of other businesses with this accreditation. You can find our accreditation certificate here.
The Good Business Charter collaborates with TUC (Trades Union Congress), IoD (Institute of Directors) and FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) and has partnerships with Investors in the Environment, Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, Fair Tax Foundation and more. Together with the GBC accredited businesses they are working to raise the bar even higher encouraging more businesses to commit to operating responsibly.
Find out more at goodbusinesscharter.com
17th Mar 2026
For charities, NGOs, local authorities, and ethical businesses, your website is the front door to your mission. But the internet is responsible for around 3-4% of global carbon emissions (that of the aviation industry!) and poorly designed sites often exclude the very people you are trying to support.
If you are working towards a better world, your digital footprint shouldn't undermine your real world impact. This is where ethical web design comes in.
Building a clean, low-impact website helps amplify your message by:
- Reducing your digital carbon footprint through streamlined code and green hosting.
- Championing accessibility so your vital services are usable by everyone, regardless of disability or internet speed.
- Building deep trust by rejecting manipulative "dark patterns" and protecting user privacy.
Your digital space should be as compassionate, inclusive, and sustainable as the causes you champion.
If you are ready to align your online presence with your values, do get in touch with us at makehay.co.uk
3rd Mar 2026
One of our core values here at Make Hay and Green Hosting is to support charities and good causes that are making a real difference, both gloabally and locally. It’s something we’ve always done since we started back in 2004.
Our current charity partners are Renewable World and Green’s Windmill.
Renewable World enables people to tackle poverty and climate change through off-grid, renewable energy solutions in remote places. Individuals are empowered to change theirs and their communities’ lives with sustainable solutions that build long-term resilience. Each year, since October 2020 we have donated 1-2% of our monthly Green Hosting sales income to Renewable World.
Green’s Windmill is a 19th century tower windmill, museum and science learning centre in Nottingham. And it is so much more than these things too. Green’s Mill offers free and low-cost activities for local children and families. They provide fun and education in a beautiful location which is also one of Nottingham’s most important landmarks. They do it all with a very small staff team and wonderful volunteers. Since 2017 we have given free Green Hosting services and pro bono web design and support to Green’s Windmill.
Alongside further pro bono work and free Green Hosting to other small organisations, including therapeutic gardening and animal rescue, since 2020 we have donated over £11,000*.
This is all made possible by our ethical web design and green website hosting clients. By choosing to work with us, not only are they opting for greener, more ethical web solutions but providing much needed support to projects doing life-changing work.
You can find out more about our ethical approach and impact in our 2024-2025 report.
*£11,359 Since 2020 to year ending 30/09/25 monetary donations and equivalent in free hosting services and pro bono work.
Green Hosting works handsomely with:
Auto-installer now available on all accounts
