Sustainable IT strategy consulting

Why implement a sustainable IT strategy?

Digital accounted for 4% of greenhouse gases in 2018: But with the rise of video, artificial intelligence, and consequently, uses that only multiply each year: the trend is explicitly exponential. We could reach 12% of GHGs by 2030 if nothing is done.

Through the manufacture of materials, fueled by the endless quest for novelty, or that of infrastructures and networks that distribute the bytes produced by data centers, through our uses, whether personal or professional; And who consume on a daily basis, a quantity of resources as abiotic as energy, without limit, the ecological bill of our digital uses soars.

On a daily basis, 1 day of telework inflicts on the planet the equivalent of the emission of 29km driven in terms of greenhouse gases, the consumption of 44 liters of drinking water, and the discharge of 25g of electronic waste…

The observation is undeniable, we must change our digital uses.

What is a sustainable IT strategy and what are its benefits?

A sustainable IT strategy in business aims to integrate sustainability and ethics principles into the digital activities of the organization: which includes

Reducing the carbon footprint

Minimize the energy consumption of digital equipment, optimize data infrastructures and promote eco-responsible hosting.

Durability of equipment

Promote the prolonged use of devices, encourage repair rather than replacement, and opt for eco-designed equipment.

Software eco-design

Design software that consumes less resources and is optimized for performance.

Training and awareness

Educate employees on the environmental impact of digital (especially through the digital landscape) and promote greener practices.

Electronic waste management

Implement procedures for recycling and upgrading equipment at end of life.

Data reduction

Minimize unnecessary storage by regularly deleting obsolete data and optimizing data management.

Responsible purchasing

Favour suppliers who are committed to an ecological approach or who have environmental certifications.

Eco-friendly work practices

For example, encouraging telework to reduce travel and promoting the use of online collaborative tools to reduce paper consumption.

Transparency and ethics

Ensure that data is treated ethically, respecting the privacy of users and avoiding overcollection: fight against infobesity.

Engagement and Governance

Set up governance dedicated to digital responsibility, including clear objectives, performance indicators and regular reviews.

How to implement it?

Implementing a sustainable IT strategy requires a structured approach to ensure its effectiveness.
At GreenWeb, we have developed a 10-step methodology:

1. Initial Diagnosis

Assess the company’s current environmental impact (Carbon Footprint or Life Cycle Analysis), energy consumption and digital practices to identify areas for improvement.

2. Defining objectives

Establish clear and measurable targets for environmental impact reduction, eco-design and digital ethics.

3. Develop strategy and action plan

Based on the objectives to be achieved, we establish a guideline and concrete, progressive and discursive actions.

4. Management Commitment

Obtain the support and commitment of the company’s leaders, as their support is crucial for the implementation of the strategy.

5. Training and Awareness

Train employees in responsible digital best practices and raise awareness of the importance of reducing environmental impact (Workshop, frescoes.).

6. Implementation of technical solutions

Adopt eco-friendly tools and technologies, such as eco-friendly hosting, optimized software and eco-designed equipment.

7. Process Optimization

Review and improve internal processes to incorporate sustainability principles such as e-waste management and data reduction.

8. Monitoring and Measurement

Set up performance indicators to regularly monitor progress towards the set objectives.

9. Internal and External Communication

Regularly share successes and challenges with employees and external stakeholders to strengthen engagement.

10. Evaluation and Continuous Improvement

Periodically review strategy, evaluate results and adjust accordingly to ensure continuous improvement.

The implementation of a sustainable IT strategy is an ongoing process that requires the involvement of all levels of the company. Commitment, transparency, and continuous improvement are essential to ensure long-term success.