How lifecycle analysis helps us understand the environmental impact of digital technology

The Impact of digital device production

According to The Shift Project (2021), the greenhouse gas emissions of the digital sector are expected to rise by 6% annually. As global demand for digital technology continues to increase, the production of digital devices faces the limits of our planet’s resources. Non-renewable resources, such as oil and metals, are being used at an unsustainable rate. Manufacturing electronic devices requires intensive mining that leads to the exhaustion of natural resources through deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, and the loss of biodiversity.

In addition, new trends and technological innovations produce an effect of constant addition of new devices rather than replacement of old ones. Devices like smartphones, computers, connected televisions, and smartwatches add up to the increasing volume and weight of already existing digital products rather than replacing them.

In the end, when combining all these factors, the production phase recounts for 78% of a digital device’s total carbon footprint.

Environmental repercussions of digital device usage

Beyond production, using digital devices also proves to be impactful on the environment. Video streaming stands out as the most energy-intensive digital activity, accounting for 80% of global web data usage. Platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime contribute significantly to this footprint, with streaming on these platforms alone responsible for 7% of the digital sector’s global carbon emissions (ADEME, 2022).

To support that constant flow of data, large infrastructures such as data centres, servers, and networking equipment are needed. They require vast amounts of energy for operation and cooling. Data centres stand out as the infrastructure that needs the most energy to operate constantly. They have a continuous need for electricity as they operate 24/7. To process the constant flow of data, data centres also generate enormous amounts of heat that need to be abated to prevent the equipment from malfunctioning. Therefore, they require massive cooling systems that consume a lot of energy.

To lower that impact, simple gestures such as reducing the resolution of videos, or using Wi-Fi instead of cellular data can help reduce your daily environmental impact. While reducing the environmental impact of daily digital activities is essential, addressing the challenge of e-waste disposal is equally important for a sustainable digital future.

Addressing the challenge of e-waste disposal

The disposal of digital devices, or e-waste, also poses significant environmental challenges. Millions of tonnes of e-waste are disposed of annually using environmentally unsound techniques. Improper disposal methods can release over 1,000 different chemical substances into the environment, posing severe health risks for biodiversity and to vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children (World Health Organization, 2023). Additionally, unsafe e-waste recycling practices, such as open-air burning and acid baths, expose workers to toxic substances, leading to irreversible health effects including cancers, miscarriages, and neurological damage (World Health Organization, 2021).

Adequate recycling of e-waste remains a critical challenge. Only 17% of the world’s e-waste is effectively recycled, with the e-waste industry expected to grow by 75 million tons by 2030 (World Health Organization, 2021). Disparities in e-waste recycling are significant across regions. For example, France recycles 77% of its e-waste, while the United States recycles less than 20% and ships a considerable portion to economically developing countries (Forti et al., 2018). Addressing these disparities and improving global e-waste recycling practices are essential steps toward a sustainable digital future.

Engage in the Green digital transformation

In light of these harrowing facts, it is imperative to adopt sustainable practices to protect the environment. The easiest way to reduce the impact of the production of digital devices remains to reduce the number of digital devices that you buy, and rather turn to second-hand or devices with a high-reparability index. When using your devices, make sure to adopt simple gestures: lower the resolution of the videos you watch, deactivate auto-play on all platforms, and reduce your social media screen time. To avoid having to dispose of your devices too often, make sure to preserve them for as long as possible and find recycling centres that can process your devices.

Whether you aim to reduce personal digital impact or implement sustainable practices within your organisation, discover the full training of the eGreen project to get the necessary knowledge and tools.

The training offers insights into ongoing initiatives, real-world case studies, and practical steps to promote digital sobriety and efficiency. By understanding the full lifecycle of digital devices, you will be able to create your own digital action plan to mitigate your environmental impact.