Simple steps for greener online business choices

17th Oct 2025

From the content we consume and share, to the tools we use and the digital debris we accumulate, every action online has an environmental impact. 

Although our online world seems intangible, it translates directly to physical resources and energy and whilst we already make greener choices in other areas of our businesses, such as packaging, travel and equipment, this may not automatically follow through to our work online.

Intangible to physical

All of the content we consume and publish is saved on web servers in data centres around the world. The more online content that exists and is shared, the more resources are needed to keep and ‘serve’ the data online. These resources are physical: land, building materials, hardware, water. Plus lots of energy!

Huge amounts of energy is needed because data centres run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As a result they get very hot and need constant cooling.

Some statistics

• Almost 60% of the world’s data was created in the past 3 years.
• Currently there are approx 5.56 billion active internet users globally. Increased by 300 million in the past 3 years. According to the WHO, in 2025 3.4 billion people live without sanitation.
• Data centres use 1% – 1.5% of global energy. That’s more than the UK itself.
• Data centres and data transmission networks are responsible for 1% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. This is now more than the aviation industry.
• A smartphone streaming a one hour video per week uses more power annually than a refrigerator.

What we can do: Our websites

• Resize and optimise images (especially huge photos) and use modern formats (like WebP).
• Minimize use of third-party scripts and auto-loading content.
• Choose lightweight themes and frameworks.
• Delete unused plugins or add--ons.

Added bonus: Search engines favour lighter, faster websites. 

What we can do: Our e-mails & cloud storage

• Unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters.
• Clear out cloud storage.
• Regularly delete e-mails and attachments.
• Use email services on green servers.
• Automate inbox rules or use inbox cleaner tools.

Added bonus: Clearing out your storage and e-mails creates less inbox overwhelm

What we can do: Our social media channels

• A quick video update can be convenient but is it really needed?
• If making a video, use lower resolution when possible, especially for mobile screens.
• Consider if clear and useful text, an accessible infographic or audio can get the message across just as well as a video.

Added bonus: Using alternatives to video can help those living in digital poverty (poor connection speeds and sharing devices)

Digital sustainability isn’t about abandoning the internet. It’s about using it in a conscious way.