Reducing Emissions from Software Use

Reducing Emissions from Software Use

David Harrop

30 years: Climate Change and Environment Director

Over 4 billion people are using the internet. Join David Harrop as he explores how we can reduce emissions from software use.

Over 4 billion people are using the internet. Join David Harrop as he explores how we can reduce emissions from software use.

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Reducing Emissions from Software Use

12 mins 36 secs

Key learning objectives:

  • Outline how to choose sustainable software

  • Identify factors to consider when buying a device

  • Outline ways to reduce carbon impact of a device

  • Understand the benefits of using sustainable model clauses

Overview:

There are many ways to reduce carbon impact as an end user. Firstly, check the sustainable credentials of both the software provider and the specific software. You can also take factors into consideration when buying a device - do you need it, does it have an energy rating and can the lifetime use be extended? Lastly, you can reduce the carbon impact of a device by unplugging when not in use, powering down if it must remain plugged in and reducing the brightness of your monitors.

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Summary
How can you choose sustainable software? 
You can tackle this from two angles: how sustainable is the supplier and how sustainable is the software you are buying? Look at the sustainability credentials of the software provider and ask some of the following questions:
  • Have they set a net zero target and is it aligned with a 1.5c future? Has this been validated and approved by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi)?
  • Perhaps more importantly, do they have a near-term emission reduction target?
  • Do these targets cover scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions?
  • Do they publish their carbon footprint, for example through the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)?
  • Has the footprint been independently verified?
  • Do they have a published climate transition plan and how is this performing?
  • Can the software provider provide a product carbon footprint, showing the greenhouse gas impacts throughout the product’s lifecycle?

What factors should be considered when buying a device? 
  1. Consider the number of devices that you buy and actually use. The more equipment we buy and use, the higher the carbon impact. A workstation with a laptop and 2 monitors will have more than double the impact of a single laptop.
  2. Consider the energy efficiency of the device for example, does it have an energy star rating showing the device operates energy efficiently?
  3. Consider whether the lifespan of the device can be extended. You can utilise simple solutions to extend the lifetime of the device such as battery replacement or screen replacement on phones. You can also use trade-in programmes if you want to buy the latest device or see if the device can be recycled with the manufacturer.

How can you reduce the carbon impact of a device?
  • Avoid standby and fully shut your devices down at the plug 
  • Activate the power saving settings on computers and laptops 
  • Set devices you own to automatically power down
  • Reduce the brightness of your monitors, or turn on dark mode
  • Check what type of energy you are buying and whether you can purchase renewable energy

What are the benefits of using sustainable model clauses? 
  1. These requirements can be tailored to a software provider’s own net zero journey
  2. They can be actioned today to start making greenhouse gas reductions immediately

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David Harrop

David Harrop

David Harrop has 25 years of experience in delivering technological change for good across the private and public sectors. He previously worked with BT Group, one of the UK's largest private electricity purchasers, where he was responsible for energy strategy across their network and data centres.

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