Welcome to the sixth edition of the Jisc Digital Sustainability Newsletter!
As always, we bring you the latest news, trends, and insights at the intersection of technology and environmental sustainability.
If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to our DIGITAL-SUSTAINABILITY JiscMail mailing list to receive notifications about future editions of the Digital Sustainability Newsletter.
Digital Sustainability at Jisc:
As we settle into the new academic year, we’re excited to share some key highlights about the latest digital sustainability developments at Jisc:
Jisc FE & Skills Digital Sustainability Community Migrating to MS Teams
We’re excited to announce that the Jisc FE & Skills Digital Sustainability Community is now hosted on Microsoft Teams! This dedicated Teams Channel will provide a more streamlined and interactive platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing among members.
Existing members should have already received an invitation to join the new Teams Channel. If you work in the FE and Skills sector and would like to be part of this community, simply fill out this form and we’ll send you an invite to get started.
In addition to our new Teams presence, we continue to host bi-monthly meetups where members can engage in discussions on various aspects of digital sustainability. This month, we are thrilled to welcome Jisc’s own Isobel Seamer, Sustainability Analyst, and Ellen Pawley, Data Governance Manager. They will be discussing strategies for reducing the environmental impact of cloud storage within organisations—an increasingly critical topic as digital infrastructures grow.
We’re Hiring: Sustainability Officer
Jisc is currently seeking a Sustainability Officer for a 12-month fixed-term contract to support our Head of Environmental Sustainability in advancing Jisc’s sustainability agenda and achieving our net zero GHG emissions target by 2040. This role involves developing and implementing strategies across areas like energy, waste, water, and procurement. If you have experience in environmental management and a passion for sustainability, you can find more details and apply here.
HE Provider Environmental Data for 2022/23 Released
HESA, part of Jisc, has published the latest environmental data for UK higher education providers, revealing that 56% of institutions who submitted data saw reductions in their Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions during 2022/23. Out of 138 HE providers, the total Scope 1 and 2 emissions amounted to 1.4 million tonnes of CO2. Notably, 73% of providers reported a decrease in energy consumption, and 115 providers generated a total of 117 Gigawatt hours of renewable energy. The data, part of the optional Estates management record, also includes insights on water consumption, waste, recycling, and more. For full details, view the HE Provider Data: Estates Management here.
Latest news:
Here’s a roundup of some of the interesting digital sustainability news and developments from the last month across the UK and beyond. Click on the headline to find out more.
Amazon, Azure and Google Publish Sustainability Reports for 2023
Amazon made notable progress in 2023, reducing its total carbon output by 3% while significantly expanding its renewable energy investments. However, Google and Microsoft both saw increases in their carbon footprints due to the expansion of AI and data centre operations. Despite these setbacks, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are making strides in renewable energy projects, but transparency remains an issue, especially for Amazon, which lacks detailed reporting on Scope 3 emissions compared to its competitors.
New Alliance Formed to Promote Sustainability in the Gaming Industry
The Sustainable Games Alliance, a coalition of game companies and industry experts, has been established to create a global standard for sustainability reporting in gaming. Expected by early next year, this standard will help game companies measure and reduce their environmental impact using data-driven strategies
Tech Giants Repurpose Power Stations for Sustainable Data Centres
Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are converting old power stations into data centres. These sites, often equipped with existing infrastructure, provide a more sustainable alternative to building new facilities from scratch. However, the process is complex and requires significant investment, particularly in ensuring these sites can efficiently support the energy demands of AI and cloud computing.
Google Unveils 100% Plastic-Free Packaging for Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest
Google has reached a significant sustainability milestone by eliminating all plastic from the packaging of its Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest devices. The new packaging features durable, fibre-based materials pulp made from recycled newspaper, designed to enhance both protection and recyclability
Big Tech Seeks to Change Emissions Reporting Rules
Amazon, Meta, and Google are lobbying to revise the Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s carbon accounting rules, with Amazon and Meta favouring more flexible offsetting practices. Critics argue this could obscure true emissions, while Google supports stricter, localised standards. The outcome will shape how big tech companies report their environmental impact as they expand their energy-intensive operations.
Resource Corner:
Each month we share a digital sustainability resource which we hope you might find useful.
The Digital Sustainability Toolbox, from Sustainability in the Digital Age, offers a concise infographic guide to help organisations incorporate sustainable practices into their digital strategies. This brief but powerful resource includes practical tools, guidelines, and frameworks focused on reducing digital carbon footprints, enhancing energy efficiency, and fostering responsible innovation. Whether your focus is on sustainable IT infrastructure or data management, this guide provides an accessible starting point for integrating sustainability into your digital operations.
Explore the Digital Sustainability Toolbox here: Digital Sustainability Toolbox
Member Highlights:
In our monthly member highlights, we turn the green spotlight onto one of Jisc’s members in FE and HE who are implementing noteworthy digital sustainability initiatives.
This month, we’re proud to feature East Coast College for their Energy Skills Centre located at their Lowestoft campus. This centre is central to the college’s commitment to the renewable energy sector, particularly offshore wind. It provides cutting-edge training for students pursuing careers in green energy, equipping them with the essential skills to thrive in this rapidly growing field.
The Energy Skills Centre offers specialised courses and hands-on training tailored to the needs of the renewable energy industry, ensuring students are ready to meet the demands of a low-carbon economy. By integrating digital technologies into the curriculum, the centre ensures that students are proficient in the latest sustainable practices, from energy management systems to the digitalisation of renewable energy infrastructures. This not only enhances their employability but also reinforces the college’s role in advancing sustainability and supporting the broader environmental goals of the region.
Rachel Bunn, Director of the East Coast Energy Training Academy, said: “The Energy Skills Centre hosts a range of modern equipment to aid learning and the promotion of digital equipment. Resources such as the digital wind turbine simulator, computer-aided design system, emergency response training software and the use of VR enhance the application of skills in a range of environments.”
The college, which has campuses in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, also encourages staff and students to look for small ways to improve sustainability in their everyday practices. Recently, teams of staff were encouraged to collaborate and work towards a Green Impact award with SOS-UK (Students Organising for Sustainability, United Kingdom). Two groups came away with gold awards. One group, the Learning Services Team, was also highlighted for their work in sustainable procurement, following a project that looked at sourcing sustainable products in the campus shops while maintaining low prices for students.
Emma Furness, East Coast College’s Learning Services Team Leader, said: “It’s amazing how quickly small steps add up to big changes. The Green Impact scheme gave us a chance to really see how far we have come as well as giving us ideas on what we can do next.”
To learn more about the Green Impact scheme, visit www.sos-uk.org/project/green-impact.
For more information on East Coast College’s Energy Skills Centre, visit www.eastcoasttrainingacademy.co.uk.
Digital Sustainability Articles:
Here are a selection of our favourite articles on digital sustainability from the last month. Click on the title link to be redirected to the full article:
Light bulbs have energy ratings – so why can’t AI Chatbots?
In a piece by Sasha Luccioni and colleagues published in Nature, the AI Energy Star project proposes energy ratings for AI models to help developers and users choose more efficient options. As AI’s energy demands soar, this initiative aims to reduce its environmental footprint by encouraging transparency and sustainability in AI development. However, more regulations and greater transparency are needed to mitigate the technology’s growing impact on the climate.
Why we Should be Looking Beyond Website Carbon Emissions
Andy from Wholegrain Digital discusses how the environmental impact of the internet extends beyond carbon emissions, emphasising the significant consumption of mineral resources required to sustain our digital lives. With internet usage accounting for 55% of the per capita carrying capacity for these materials, the article suggests practical steps like extending device lifespans and optimising digital products. Andy also calls for a reevaluation of our digital consumption habits, especially as more users come online, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to digital sustainability.
The Greening of Large Language Models and Generative AI: They are Becoming More Green than You Think
Michael Fahey offers a more optimistic perspective on the environmental impact of large language models and generative AI, arguing that recent technological advancements are making these models greener than commonly perceived. While early versions like GPT-3 had significant carbon footprints, innovations such as model fine-tuning, the use of smaller and more efficient models, and the widespread adoption of open-source AI are significantly reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with AI development.
Are Public Clouds More Sustainable than Private Data Centres?
Christopher Tozzi’s article discusses the relative sustainability of public cloud versus private data centres, noting that while public clouds often have sustainability advantages due to scale and access to renewables, private data centres can be more sustainable in certain scenarios, such as repurposing existing buildings or utilising edge data centres. The piece emphasises the need for a tailored approach to achieve the best sustainability outcomes.
What Does Deep-Sea Mining Mean for Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss?
In an article by Aruna Chandrasekhar, Yanine Quiroz, and Giuliana Viglione for Carbon Brief, deep-sea mining is explored as a new frontier for obtaining critical minerals like nickel and cobalt, essential for the production of renewable energy technology. While the practice could meet global mineral demands, the authors highlight significant concerns about its potential impacts on marine biodiversity and climate change.
The Role of Accelerated Computing in Reducing Energy Consumption
Maria Korolov at CIO discusses how accelerated computing, through the use of GPUs and TPUs, is helping reduce energy consumption, especially in AI and machine learning applications. This technology enables companies to improve energy efficiency, cut operational costs, and meet sustainability targets.
AI to go Nuclear? Data Centre Deals Say It’s Inevitable
Paula Rooney reports on CIO.com that AWS, Microsoft, and Google are investing in nuclear energy, including Small Modular Reactors, to power their massive data centers amid increasing AI-driven energy demands. This move marks a pivotal shift towards sustainable energy solutions in the tech industry.
Get Involved:
We want to hear from you! Share your comments, suggestions, and digital sustainability highlights. Contact our Subject Specialist for Sustainability, Cal Innes, at cal.innes@jisc.ac.uk.
And don’t forget to subscribe to our DIGITAL-SUSTAINABILITY JiscMail mailing list for future editions of the Digital Sustainability Newsletter.
