How to make digital habits more sustainable & cut carbon footprint

But here’s the good news: just as we’ve embraced eco-friendly practices in other parts of our lives—like using reusable bags or cutting down on single-use plastics—we can also make our digital lives more sustainable. By adopting smarter, greener, habits online, we can help protect the planet without sacrificing the conveniences of the digital age.

So, where do we begin? Keep reading to learn how small changes to our digital habits can make a big difference.

By Manar Sadkou

What is a digital carbon footprint?

You've probably heard before that we each have a carbon footprint, but you might be wondering what's the meaning of carbon footprint. Well, it refers to the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that we individually produce through our daily activities. Whether it's driving a car, using electricity, or consuming goods, our actions contribute to our overall carbon footprint, which, in turn, affects the environment and contributes to climate change.

But did you know that our digital activity also contributes to our carbon footprint? Every time we use the internet, stream videos, or send emails, we are indirectly consuming energy and generating carbon emissions. That's because data centers and servers that power the internet require electricity to function, often produced by burning fossil fuels. And as our reliance on technology grows, this digital carbon footprint is becoming increasingly significant.

The importance of developing sustainable digital habits

Can you guess how many hours the average internet user spends online each year? According to a recent study, the answer is 3230 hours. That’s 40% of our waking hours, and it doesn’t just impact our time—it’s a major player in our carbon footprint too. Based on the same study, online activities like streaming videos, scrolling through social media, and video conferencing contribute around 229 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions annually, accounting for about 40% of the average person’s yearly carbon budget. This means our online habits are using a big chunk of the planet’s limited resources—like metals, minerals, and even fresh water.

Another point to consider is the environmental impact of the manufacturing and shipping of our digital devices. Producing and shipping laptops, mobile phones, tablets, and similar devices results in considerable greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change. Not only that, but the manufacturing process also requires significant raw materials obtained through mining, which often leads to deforestation, water pollution, and habitat destruction.

Unfortunately, there are even more added layers to the problem, like the disposal of our devices as electronic waste continues to grow at an alarming rate. According to the World Health Organization, an astounding 62 million tonnes of electronic waste were generated in 2022 alone, yet only 22.3% of it was properly recycled. Instead, the majority of e-waste ends up in landfills where it releases toxic chemicals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which contaminate soil and water, putting both ecosystems and human health at risk. To learn more about e-waste, take a look at our other post: What is the problem with e-waste?

All of these issues highlight the growing need for sustainable digital habits, as the environmental impact of our tech use continues to increase with no sign of slowing down.

AI impact on environment

Artificial intelligence has grown exponentially over the past decade, and while this technology has many exciting potential benefits, it also comes with significant environmental challenges. The rise in popularity of generative AI models like OpenAI's GPT and Google's Gemini is especially a cause for concern due to the massive amount of energy required to train and run these models. The use of these models is definitely also more common amongst younger generations, with recent statistics showing that 70% of Gen-Z use the technology and 53% of them trust its judgment for decision-making.

Now, this might come as a shock, but a simple ChatGPT request requires 10 times as much energy as a Google search. And beyond electricity use, AI depends on huge data centers that consume massive amounts of power and water to stay cool. This means more carbon emissions and strain on already limited resources. As AI continues to advance at breakneck speed and the demand for more advanced AI chips (specialized processors designed to efficiently handle artificial intelligence workloads) fuels resource-intensive manufacturing and mining  and adds another layer to its environmental footprint, experts are warning that "the industry is on an unsustainable path."

Practical ways to adopt sustainable digital habits

The real question now remains: what can we, as consumers of technology and AI, do? Well, although technology has become an essential part of modern life, there are plenty of ways we can reduce our digital carbon footprint without giving up the convenience and efficiency it provides. The immediate impact may not seem significant, but small changes in our daily habits can add up.

Here are six practical steps you can take to make your digital life more sustainable:

1. Clean up your digital clutter: Every email, app, and file takes up space—not just on your device, but in massive energy-hungry data centers. Unsubscribe from newsletters you never read, delete unused apps and clean out old files. A little digital decluttering can go a long way! (Check out our explainer on the carbon footprint of an email to learn more.)
2. Unplug your devices: Devices still consume energy on standby. Unplug them when they are fully charged, or use a standby saver to cut the power to multiple devices at once. It’s a simple way to save both energy and money.
3. Think twice before asking AI: AI generative models like ChatGPT are incredibly useful but every request counts. So, if you just need a simple answer, save the energy and opt for a conventional web search instead.
4. Recycle or repair your devices: Before upgrading to the latest tech, consider giving your old devices a second life. Pass them on, donate them, or see if they can be repaired. If they’re beyond saving, make sure to recycle them properly instead of sending them to a landfill. (Not sure how to recycle your devices? We explain how to recycle your smartphone and batteries!)
5. Go Audio-only when possible: Every call we make consumes energy as well, but video calls consume far more energy than audio. Cutting back on video streaming helps lower internet traffic and reduces your carbon footprint. If visuals aren’t essential, switch to a phone call or turn off your camera during meetings.
6. Scroll smarter: Every time you scroll down your Instagram feed and videos play automatically, you are unknowingly consuming energy. So turn off auto-play on social media to reduce unnecessary energy use, and keep your messages short and essential. Every video and text sent adds to data processing demands and even small changes can help cut your digital footprint!

For more tips, you can also take a look at our explainer on how to integrate green computing in your daily life!

Our digital world isn’t going anywhere, but our habits can change for the better. By making small, mindful choices—like unplugging devices, cleaning out old files, and rethinking how we use AI—we can reduce our digital carbon footprint without giving up the convenience of technology. Every click, stream, and search add up, so let’s make them count for a greener future!

Read more about mail.com's committment to sustainability.

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