The IT sector accounts for approximately 4% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and this figure is increasing rapidly. Its carbon footprint already surpasses that of the aviation industry. For IT teams, this is no longer merely an environmental issue; it has become a growing business, regulatory, and reputational concern. Reducing IT-related emissions is now a critical element of meeting corporate climate objectives.
Understanding the carbon footprint of IT
Before taking action, IT teams must have a clear understanding of where their emissions originate. The IT carbon footprint is typically distributed across three main areas:
• Hardware (50%) (for example, laptops, servers, smartphones)
• Servers (46%)
• Networks (4%)
A significant proportion of the IT carbon footprint comes from indirect Scope 3 emissions, which are often overlooked but highly impactful. These emissions occur throughout the digital value chain from the manufacture of hardware to the use of software and digital services. Although IT departments do not directly control emissions from manufacturing or logistics, they play a vital role in shaping a more sustainable IT strategy.
On average, 80% of IT-related emissions stem from the production of devices such as laptops, smartphones, and servers. Only 20% originate from their use and end-of-life treatment. Manufacturing is particularly carbon-intensive due to the extraction of raw materials and complex industrial processes.
Once in use, devices continue to consume energy, especially in data centres, which operate continuously and require cooling. As digital demand grows, the energy consumption of data centres becomes increasingly significant. Software also contributes to the footprint: inefficient code increases processing demands and energy usage. Designing energy-efficient software and running it on optimised systems can significantly reduce IT's overall environmental impact.
Sustainable hardware management
IT departments can cut emissions considerably by extending the lifespan of devices. Rather than replacing laptops and smartphones every two to three years, teams should prioritise reuse and refurbishment. Adopting sustainable procurement policies, such as sourcing from vendors that offer eco-designed or energy-efficient equipment, also supports decarbonisation efforts. Careful inventory management and avoiding overstocking or early replacements further reduce the hardware footprint.
Energy efficient infrastructure and cloud
IT teams should conduct regular infrastructure audits to ensure energy efficiency. Migrating to modern, energy-optimised data centres, particularly those operated by cloud providers using renewable energy, is among the most effective strategies for decarbonisation. Overprovisioning and underutilised servers waste significant energy. Solutions such as virtualisation, containerisation, and infrastructure as code enable dynamic, scalable environments that lower emissions from idle resources.
Eco designed software and services
Software is a more significant emissions contributor than many realise. Poorly optimised code or resource-intensive applications require more processing power and energy. Adopting green coding practices helps mitigate this. Developers should design software to minimise resource consumption, especially for high-volume applications. Tools are now available to assess and reduce the carbon impact of digital products, including websites, mobile apps, and back-end systems. Embedding sustainability into the software development lifecycle is crucial.
Building awareness and sustainable IT behaviour
Technical solutions alone are insufficient. Employee behaviour has a direct influence on IT-related emissions. IT teams should lead internal awareness initiatives, encouraging practices such as:
• Switching off devices when not in use
• Reducing video call quality or disabling video when unnecessary
• Deleting unnecessary emails and files
• Promoting digital sobriety in daily operations
Training programmes and internal communications can help embed sustainable IT habits across the organisation, empowering employees to become active contributors.
Measuring, monitoring and reporting emissions
You cannot manage what you do not measure. IT teams should leverage dedicated tools designed to assess the carbon footprint of digital systems.
For organisations with significant digital operations, digital services represent a major nd often underestimated source of emissions. This is where specialist platforms such as Fruggr prove invaluable. Fruggr makes the environmental and social impact of digital services visible through automation, comprehensive digital Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and engagement tools.
Fruggr excels at tracking emissions across the full digital lifecycle from hardware manufacturing to software operation and end-of-life processing. When integrated with carbon accounting platforms such as Plan A, organisations benefit from complete mission tracking, seamlessly feeding into their overall Scope 1 to 3 inventories.
Choose a sustainable IT strategy that delivers real impact with Fruggr, the all-in-one platform for enhancing performance, sustainability, and engagement.
Final thoughts
For IT teams, decarbonisation represents both a duty and an opportunity. By understanding their emissions, optimising systems, and fostering a culture of digital sustainability, IT departments can play a pivotal role in addressing climate change while also enhancing operational efficiency and aligning with broader corporate values.
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