The paradox of “responsible digital”

An explosion of electronic equipment
The digital world is not immaterial: its physical reality represents 10% of global electricity production and multiple pollution.
In 2020, the French digital universe is made up of approximately 631 million devices used by 58 million people (#11 devices per user). The same year, the environmental impacts of French digital technology were of the order of 180 TWh, 24 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, 559 million m3 of fresh water.

A duty of vigilance

• From all users
  To reduce the digital energy footprint, it is important that all users adopt responsible and reasoned behavior in their everyday lives.
  1. Avoid wasting energy: Turn off electronic devices when not in use, avoid leaving chargers plugged in when not in use, and adjust sleep settings to reduce consumption energy.
  2. Prioritize energy-efficient devices: Choose electronic devices with high energy efficiency, and prefer devices that have a longer lifespan and can be repaired rather than thrown away.
  3. Limit data consumption: Avoid downloading or streaming large files unnecessarily, limit streaming video, and turn off unnecessary notifications.
  4. Promote digital exchanges rather than travel: Use videoconferencing tools for remote meetings, encourage teleworking when possible, and avoid unnecessary travel.

• From marketing and design engineers of upstream and downstream chains
  This involves integrating the energy impact into the life cycle of products, from their design to their marketing by applying the 2Q2F method:
  • WHAT? What need, what use, how to limit over-consumption, use of the cloud?
  • WHO? Who we target, how we make the products accessible
  • MANUFACTURING?
    • Eco-design
    • Eco-packaging
    • Supplies chain, local suppliers
  • END OF LIFE:
    • Circular economy
    • Repairability

Environmental footprint indicators are now being implemented by major manufacturers of electronic components, from design to manufacturing: GHG, raw materials, water, energy.

But gigantic sources of savings also exist in all areas thanks to electronics…

• Replacement of electromechanical equipment that often consumes more energy
• Artificial intelligence enabling predictive analysis of systems and therefore a drastic reduction in breakdown rates and logistical optimizations, optimization of energy consumption in buildings, factories and cities.
• Use of more efficient and more “intelligent” components to reduce electrical consumption in buildings and apartments but also in industry and agriculture.

The challenge is to be able to manage this paradox in a proactive and pragmatic way: Replace energy-consuming equipment while fighting against planned obsolescence, offer new uses while ensuring that they generate savings in their entire life cycle. .

Electronics works every day to make potential savings possible and to promote them to all manufacturers and schools.