Manipulating Outcomes: Strategies Explored
In the digital age, remote work has become increasingly prevalent, with 19% of French employees working remotely at least one day a week [1]. This shift towards a more flexible work environment, however, has raised concerns about digital pollution, a less visible but significant contributor to environmental degradation.
According to the Ministry of Ecological Transition, one day of remote work corresponds to an average of 4.5 kg of CO2 avoided [2]. To maintain this positive impact and reduce digital pollution further, several strategic practices can optimise digital workflows and minimise unnecessary energy and resource consumption.
One such practice is to switch to fully digital workflows wherever possible. By using online platforms for invoicing, contracts, meeting notes, and onboarding materials, paper use and physical office waste are significantly reduced [1]. Regular digital housekeeping, such as deleting old emails, files, and backups, also plays a crucial role in controlling digital pollution. These practices reduce the carbon footprint associated with data storage and cloud computing [1].
Optimising video conferencing settings, such as reducing streaming quality when high resolution is not necessary, can substantially lower the carbon footprint generated during virtual meetings [4]. Using remote access software to facilitate digital work and reduce reliance on physical office supplies and hardware also contributes to a greener work environment [2]. Setting printing defaults to double-sided and black-and-white further minimises unnecessary paper and ink usage [1].
The rebound effect resulting from an increase in energy consumption in the homes of employees due to remote work does not exceed 3.5% to 7% [1]. Despite this, the generalisation of remote work has led to an increase in demand for digital equipment, the production of which is energy-intensive and polluting. To combat this, eco-labels like TCO Certified encourage companies to favour durable and less energy-consuming digital equipment [5].
Closing unused tabs can help reduce energy consumption, as it solicits less energy-consuming servers [3]. Optimising email sending by limiting the number of recipients and using platforms like SwissTransfer can also reduce the environmental impact [3].
The COVID-19 pandemic has popularised remote work in France, reducing daily commutes by car for 70% of the population [6]. This reduction in commuting has contributed to significant energy savings for companies, with energy savings reaching 20% to 30% when offices are closed for at least one day a week [1]. Switching to three days of remote work per week could reduce fine particle emissions from road traffic by 58%, according to ADEME [6].
However, it's important to note that digital pollution now represents 4.4% of France's carbon footprint, equivalent to the aviation sector [7]. If left unchecked, this figure could triple by 2050 [7].
In conclusion, by adopting these practices, we can create a more environmentally sustainable remote work culture. These strategies not only tackle the obvious paper waste but also address the less visible problem of digital waste and energy consumption that contribute to digital pollution. Together, we can strive for a greener, more efficient remote work landscape.
References: [1] https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/2020/06/rapport-environnemental-de-la-teletravail-2020.pdf [2] https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2021/03/24/teletravail-les-emissions-de-carbone-du-numerique-sont-elles-reelles_6069784_3236.html [3] https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2021/03/24/teletravail-les-emissions-de-carbone-du-numerique-sont-elles-reelles_6069784_3236.html [4] https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/2020/06/rapport-environnemental-de-la-teletravail-2020.pdf [5] https://www.tco.com/en-gb/ecolabels/tco-certified/ [6] https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2021/03/24/teletravail-les-emissions-de-carbone-du-numerique-sont-elles-reelles_6069784_3236.html [7] https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2021/03/24/teletravail-les-emissions-de-carbone-du-numerique-sont-elles-reelles_6069784_3236.html
- The strategic integration of environmental science and technology can optimize digital workflows, reducing paper consumption, regulating digital pollution, and promoting a greener remote work environment.
- By adopting sustainable business practices, such as using eco-labelled digital equipment and implementing efficient digital housekeeping, companies can minimize the carbon footprint associated with their digital operations and contribute to the preservation of the environment.
- In the realm of finance, investments in technological advancements that promote energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption, particularly in remote work settings, can yield long-term benefits for both businesses and the climate, as they help mitigate climate-change and digital pollution challenges.
