How to Launch a Responsible Digital Strategy in Your Company

At a time when technology shapes every aspect of professional life, responsible digital practices in the workplace have become more than a trend — they are a genuine ethical and environmental imperative. Adopting a responsible digital approach is no longer optional; it is a necessity. Did you know that digital technology accounts for 3–4% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions¹? The digital sector’s environmental footprint is significant and cannot be ignored. 

Committing to responsible digital practices is therefore a smart move. Combining innovation and environmental responsibility can benefit not only the planet, but also your business. 

In this article, we explore the key steps to embark on a journey toward a more ethical and sustainable use of technology.

Understanding responsible digital practices in business

According to the French government’s definition, responsible digital practice is “a continuous improvement approach aimed at reducing the environmental and social footprint of digital technology”. In other words, it falls squarely within the framework of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), defined as “companies’ contribution to sustainable development challenges” according to the French Ministry of Economy.

Read also: Why and how to implement a CSR approach within your organization

While some aspects of CSR — such as human rights or working conditions — receive serious attention, environmental issues are often underestimated. According to a study, only a quarter of global companies claim to be on track to meet their CO2 emissions reduction targets. And even when these issues are addressed, digital-related impacts are not always factored in. Yet responsible digital practices can deliver many benefits to organizations, including:

• A positive environmental impact.  For example, moderating the use of digital tools helps reduce CO2 emissions. Encouraging remote work and video conferencing reduces commuting and business travel, further lowering transport-related CO2 emissions.
• A significant social impact. By moderating your digital consumption, you help combat unethical practices such as child labour in the mines that supply raw materials for electronic devices.
• Financial savings. Optimizing IT resources, server virtualization, and efficient data management can significantly reduce hardware and energy costs.
• Engaging employees. Responsible digital practices unite employees around a shared purpose and a common sense of meaning.

Best practices for responsible digital transformation

Reducing your digital footprint is less daunting than it sounds. Companies can take several effective steps to kick off a responsible digital approach:

1. Raise team awareness of responsible digital practices,
2. Carefully select digital and communication tools,
3. Extend the lifespan of electronic devices, 
4. Repair and recycle faulty equipment.

Let’s look at each of these in detail.

Raising team awareness of responsible digital practices 

Awareness starts with understanding the issues at stake. Begin by organizing information sessions where you outline the environmental and social challenges linked to excessive technology use, backed by hard data. For instance, streaming YouTube continuously has a measurable environmental impact, as concluded by a study by The Shift Project (2019). In 2018, video streaming alone reportedly generated nearly 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions — over 300 million tonnes of CO2.

Read also: CSR communication: how to implement it internally

Also provide your employees with resources and practical tools to help them adopt responsible digital habits. While deleting emails or switching off power strips are gaining traction, they are far from the only ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

There are many other simple tips you can share with your teams:

• To reduce the number of software tools in use, consider adopting all-in-one platforms such as Talkspirit, a comprehensive collaborative platform that helps you streamline your app ecosystem and cut down on internal email traffic.

Request a demo

• Turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS on your devices when not in use,
• Use an eco-friendly search engine, such as Ecosia or Lilo,
• Limit the number of open tabs and apps at any one time.

By raising your teams’ awareness of responsible digital practices, you encourage more sustainable behaviours and foster active participation across the organization.

Carefully selecting digital and communication tools 

Before changing your digital habits, it is essential to examine the origin and the quantity of devices used within your organization.

Assessing how much equipment is actually needed will help you avoid wasting resources. There is little point in purchasing large numbers of computers that end up sitting idle.

The origin of digital equipment can also have a significant environmental (and social) impact. Look into environmental certifications such as EPEAT, Label NR, Nordic Ecolabel, Blue Angel, and TCO), as well as your suppliers’ manufacturing conditions.

Read also: Why invest in French digital tools?

Finally, why not skip buying new and opt for refurbished devices instead? In addition to being more affordable, refurbished devices (laptops, phones, tablets…) have a far lower environmental impact than brand-new ones. According to ADEME, a refurbished smartphone has, on average, up to 8 times less environmental impact than an equivalent new device.

Extending the lifespan of digital devices

According to the iNum2020 study, manufacturing electronic equipment accounts for up to 80% of its total environmental impact. Producing digital devices requires several polluting materials — plastics, metals, glass — a potent mix for the environment.

In this context, the need to extend the life of digital devices is beyond question.

Taking care of your devices is the simplest way to reduce your digital impact. Here are a few easy daily habits:

• protect your devices from drops and heat,
• clean your devices regularly,
• manage your battery wisely by keeping it between 20% and 80% charge,
• switch off and unplug devices you are not using.

Read also: [BFM Business] How to reduce digital pollution in your company

Repairing and recycling faulty equipment 

Are your teams struggling with faulty devices? Don’t throw them out just yet! Find out whether the equipment can be repaired before considering a replacement. 

If repair is not possible, recycle them — they can be refurbished or repurposed. You can even donate your old devices to charities (Ecosystem, Emmaüs), who will give them a second life or use them to combat energy poverty.

Tackling the energy challenge 

Digital devices pollute not only through their manufacturing and poor use, but also through their energy consumption.

Read also: Can digital sobriety and workplace wellbeing go hand in hand?

Electricity is the cornerstone of your approach. To adopt responsible digital practices in your organization, you need to think carefully about how you source your energy. Here’s how.

Reducing energy consumption

If you want to reduce the carbon footprint of your digital tools and your communications, energy efficiency is non-negotiable. Again, nothing overly complex — just follow these best practices:

1. switch off unused devices (even standby mode consumes energy),
2. unplug power strips when leaving the office,
3. avoid charging devices beyond 80% battery,
4. enable “power saving” mode on your laptop and smartphone.

Consuming smarter with green energy

Finally, take a closer look at where your electricity comes from. In recent years, a growing number of energy providers have developed green electricity tariffs — alternatives to fossil-fuel electricity, produced from non-renewable, polluting sources. 

Green electricity, by contrast, is generated from renewable and inexhaustible sources such as wind, water, and solar power. Feel free to browse specialist websites to learn more about the positive environmental impact of renewable energy.
Today, green energy tariffs are no more expensive than conventional ones. So why not kill two birds with one stone and choose the most affordable — and greenest — provider? Your finance team and the planet will thank you. To help you decide, check out this list of leading electricity providers in France or click here.

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Conclusion

Adopting a responsible digital approach in your organization is a necessity in today’s world. But all things considered, it is far less daunting than it appears. By raising awareness among your employees, changing habits, and adopting best practices, you can not only reduce your carbon footprint but also strengthen your brand’s responsible image.  Are you ready to embark on this journey toward a greener future?

Want to learn more about responsible digital practices in the workplace? Download our checklist on digital sobriety to discover more examples of initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of your digital practices: 

Access the Checklist

In our checklist “10 best practices for achieving digital sobriety”, you will find: examples of initiatives and tools to reduce your digital carbon footprint, along with advice on evolving your practices and involving your employees in the process.

Download

¹Évaluation de l’impact environnemental du numérique en France, Ademe – ARCEP (2022)