Did you know that the Internet and communication technology (ICT) sector is estimated to account for 1.5% and 4% of the world’s carbon emissions? In comparison, aviation represented 2% of the global carbon footprint in 2022.

This figure doesn’t even take into account the use of water to cool down data centres, or the extraction and processing of materials to produce our devices, which have considerable impacts on climate and nature.

All data generated online (including this podcast) has its footprint, even if we can’t see it. The Internet’s emissions will continue to rise, especially as the use of artificial intelligence – which is extremely energy intensive – keeps skyrocketing. Considering that 90% of the world's data was generated in the last two years alone according to some estimates, it is not difficult to imagine that the Internet will soon become the largest-emitting sector of our economy.

But we all can take action, in some way. If you, or your company, have a website, you can design it to be as sustainable and accessible as possible.

In this week’s episode, Giulia talks to Sepas Seraj, founder of digital agency Pixeled Eggs, about sustainable web design and how the conversation has shifted in his industry. The attention is turning to lighter-weight websites, as they are increasingly being prioritised by SEO. Coincidentally, leaner websites also have a smaller footprint, proving that there are benefits in sustainability that go beyond doing the right thing.

Sepas shares tips on how to lower the impact of your website, make it more accessible and user-friendly without sacrificing aesthetics (sustainable design can be beautiful and impactful at the same time!), how to use AI mindfully, and how design trends have changed over the years.

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Businesses face challenges and opportunities in adapting to climate change regulations and sustainability reporting. Linking sustainability strategies to performance and progress is a crucial aspect of this journey.

In this episode, Felicia talks to Stuart McLachlan, chief executive of sustainability firm Anthesis, about the shift from traditional business models to sustainable practices, emphasising the need for organisations to take responsibility for their externalities and adopt circular economy principles.

Adaptability and collaboration are fundamental, as seen in sustainable agriculture and pre-competitive collaboration during the pandemic - in the end, so much of what we need to address comes down to the health of the soil. The conversation touches on the role of investors and regulators in driving sustainability, the urgency of transformation, and how we can shift to a low-carbon, nature-positive world through collective action.

Stuart's book, The Adventure of Sustainable Performance, is available on all major platforms.

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In this week's episode, Felicia talks to Pablo Fernandez, chief executive of global climate solutions company EcoSecurities.

The carbon markets are a contentious, but effective, tool for leveraging finance for action on climate change. Carbon offsets, an important tool within these markets, allow companies to invest in emissions reduction projects, often in developing countries, as a cost-effective way to meet climate goals. However, issues such as weak demand, inconsistent pricing, and trust in project quality have challenged the effectiveness of carbon markets.

What matters is understanding which credits are appropriate for your industry and business, and the pathway you're choosing to cut emissions and transition towards a net zero world - demonstrating a transparent and robust strategy for action on climate change.

In this episode, we discuss the history of the climate negotiations, how the carbon markets developed and why offsetting has an important role to play in transforming the world.

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