Reducing carbon emissions is an absolutely key part of digital sustainability and it is rightly a key focus. But the impact digital technology has on the environment encompasses so much more, for example:

1.            Resource Extraction: The production of digital devices requires extensive mining for metals and minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements. These extraction processes can cause habitat destruction, water pollution, and soil degradation, impacting local ecosystems and communities.

2.            Water Usage: Manufacturing electronic components and cooling data centres can consume significant amounts of water, affecting the demand on local water resources. These challenges are exacerbated by the decisions collectively made about where to locate these important elements of digital infrastructure (i.e. often in water poor areas) and the technology used within them (e.g. evaporative versus closed circuit water cooling).

3.            E-Waste and the Circular Economy: The rapid turnover of electronic devices results in significant amounts of electronic waste. Improper disposal can release toxic substances into the environment, while recycling rates remain low, exacerbating the issue of resource depletion. This process is amplified by the decisions made by tech manufacturers to make upgrading and replacing elements (e.g. memory, storage, battery, screens) that much more difficult.

Addressing a wider range of impacts is essential for driving a more sustainable digital future.