Sustainability Language

Data, Technology & Verification Systems

Digital sustainability

The responsible design, use and disposal of digital technologies to minimise their environmental footprint — energy, materials and e-waste.

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Definition

Digital sustainability refers to the responsible and environmentally conscious use of digital technologies and resources across their life cycle: energy-efficient hardware and software, renewably powered data centres, green software engineering, circular design for longevity and repairability, responsible e-waste management, and sustainable supply chains for electronics. It pairs with the enabling side — using digital tools for sustainability — but addresses the footprint of digitalisation itself.

References

Overview

What it means

The digital sector accounting for its own energy demand, hardware materiality and waste, not just enabling others to decarbonise.

How it is used

Organisations apply digital sustainability through green data-centre procurement, software carbon-intensity measurement, device-life extension and e-waste policies.

Why it matters

Digital infrastructure is among the fastest-growing sources of electricity demand and waste; digital sustainability disciplines that growth.

Review

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3Editor synthesis

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