Digital Learning Sustainability: Practical Strategies to Reduce Environmental Impact

In our last blog, we introduced the idea of sustainable digital learning as we explored the environmental impacts of e-learning. Today’s blog goes a step further. We discuss actionable steps and offer practical strategies to reduce the environmental impact of digital learning.

Let’s start with a recap of just how significant the carbon footprint of digital learning has become. Here are the headlines:

• Escalating use of natural resources to manufacture digital devices

• Mounting electronic waste from discarded devices and hardware

• Increased energy consumption to charge up digital devices

• Power-hungry data centres and server farms for cloud storage

The good news is that there are actionable steps educational institutions can take to reduce the environmental impact of digital learning. Implementing the following practical strategies will ensure you do your bit.

Adopting energy-efficient devices and infrastructure is one of the most important contributions you can make. Even better, you will also reduce your operational costs for a win-win.

Modern digital devices are much more energy-efficient than previous models. For example, Lenovo’s ThinkPad series has laptops certified with an Energy Star rating. Specifically designed for low energy consumption, Lenovo’s range is also made from more post-recycled parts than ever.

Furthermore, data centres optimised for energy efficiency can drastically reduce power consumption. Cutting-edge servers use features like power-saving modes, advanced cooling systems and energy management software that adjust power usage in real-time.

In addition, more and more data centres are moving away from electricity to renewable sources like wind and solar. Apple is one tech giant that has gone all in on renewable energy integration, using 100% renewable sources to power its vast data centres.

Another possibility is to move away from on-site servers to cloud options. Nowadays, large cloud providers like Google have energy-efficient data centres and use renewable energy sources to a greater extent than most individual educational institutions can achieve on their own.

It’s also worth considering investing in energy management software tools. These platforms monitor and reduce energy consumption in real-time based on occupancy and the time of day. They can have a significant impact not only on your electricity usage but also on power bills.

E-waste is one of the fastest-growing problems worldwide. It often contains hazardous materials, like lead and mercury, which can contaminate soil and waterways, posing health risks and causing environmental damage. Environmental responsibility in EdTech is now a hot topic.

The latest global statistics show that in 2022, 62 million metric tons of e-waste were generated, including computers, digital devices, copiers, and a host of other electronic products. The problem is only going to get worse, with the latest forecasts suggesting that e-waste will increase to over 80 million metric tons by 2030.

In the face of this escalating issue, making responsible e-waste disposal a priority for every sector, including education, is a no-brainer. But where do you start? When taken collectively, small steps can add up to giant leaps forward. Here are some steps that you can take to make a significant difference:

Recycle and reuse: Look to set up recycling initiatives for outdated or broken devices. Refurbishing and reusing hardware extends the lifespan and means fewer devices end up in landfills. Many big tech providers like Dell and HP are leading the way by offering recycling programmes for end-of-life electronics.

Partner with e-waste management companies: Nowadays, many specialised companies offer safe and sustainable e-waste disposal. A Google search should highlight those closest to your location.

According to Statista, just over 22% of e-waste generated worldwide in 2022 was recycled correctly. There is plenty of work to be done.

H2: Integration of Renewable Energy Sources

When it comes to eco-friendly digital education, schools and colleges are increasingly looking to renewable energy sources to power their operations. Doing so reduces their carbon footprint and saves money in the long term.

Some institutions, like Churchfields Junior School in London, have installed solar panels on the roofs of school buildings. The school has 350 solar panels, which last month alone generated 12 MHw of solar energy, enough to charge over 200 electric cars. Perhaps more significantly, the school’s use of renewable energy in education stopped three tonnes of CO2 emissions and generated savings of over £3,550.

Since 2010, the University of Delaware in the USA has used wind energy. A wind turbine generates enough electricity to power a whole campus and over 100 surrounding houses. Thanks to the wind turbine, the university has avoided carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to taking around 750 vehicles off the road. Furthermore, the wind turbine is a valuable research and educational tool for students.

Other schools and colleges have done their bit by entering into green power purchase agreements with energy suppliers. The providers offset a portion of their consumption to green energy. It’s a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint and support renewable energy projects.

carbon footprint reduction:

• Switch to LED lightbulbs, not only does LED lighting last longer, but it uses less power

• Install motion sensors so lights only come on when needed

• Upgrade insulation in roofs and walls to reduce heating costs

• Encourage the use of digital textbooks and resources to cut down on paper

• Set up on-site recycling and composting projects to reduce waste and educate students

• Develop transport initiatives and encourage staff and students to bike, walk, carpool or use public transport

• Reduce transport-related emissions by promoting virtual events and online classes rather than in-person ones

• Use sustainable digital learning platforms that prioritise energy efficiency, like Lenovo’s ThinkPad series we mentioned earlier

• Include sustainability in the curriculum to raise students’ awareness of the issues and actions they can take

It’s vital that all stakeholders in digital learning, from educators to EdTech developers, instructional designersand policymakers, collaborate to promote sustainable learning environments.

National and international policies and standards are crucial to ensure everyone works towards the same goals. The International Society for Technology on Education’s Standards is a valuable resource in this context. The standards provide guidance on integrating technology into education and is a useful starting point.

Also helpful are IS0 14001, the international standard for environmental management systems, and ISO 50001, the equivalent for energy management. These standards offer a framework for managing resources and reducing environmental impacts.

In addition, educational stakeholders should collaborate to share best practices and real-world case studies to inspire others.

In the true spirit of collaboration and inspiration, we will finish our discussion with some trailblazing real-world examples of sustainable digital learning.

Pennsylvania State University: The university has partnered with a developer to construct solar farms that supply 25% of its electricity needs. The university has already saved an incredible $2.5 million in energy costs and is on track to achieve more than $14 million in savings by 2045.

University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh’s comprehensive social responsibility and sustainability strategy is a fantastic example of how an educational institution has embraced sustainability across all its operations. The strategy includes targets for reduced carbon emissions and a goal of being net zero by 2040. Edinburgh University is also working towards being a zero-waste institution with initiatives like waste reduction, recycling programmes, and sustainable procurement.

West Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre: Based in Yorkshire, this special education school has recently installed 315 solar panels. In just one week, the system generated 3.425 kWh of solar energy and savings of £959. However, best of all, it stopped 781kg of carbon emissions from polluting the atmosphere.

Interested in finding out more about digital transformation sustainability? Check out our new eBook, Sustainable Digital Learning: Balancing Innovation and Environmental Responsibility. This comprehensive resource includes the latest best practices and insights to help educational institutions of all shapes and sizes contribute to a sustainable future.