‘Benefits of greening your website are plentiful’: Workshop highlights ways to reduce digital carbon footprint

BUSINESSES keen to take action to reduce their carbon footprint are turning their attention to their websites in the wake of a thought-provoking workshop in Northamptonshire.

The statistics are staggering. Websites generate on average two grammes of carbon per page view – for a site with 10,000 views per month, that soon adds up.

UK data centres alone account for up to 4% of the world’s electricity consumption – a larger figure than the entire electricity use of Japan.

More than 20 delegates were guided through the carbon footprint of their individual business’ website at the Go Green, Go Big event presented by Poppy Green Hub at Vulcan Works in Northampton. They ran a scan of their site to learn just how many grammes of carbon it emits annually.

Presenters Marie Cox and Daniel Lister then led their audience through a series of practical steps to reduce emissions, such as optimising images and videos for faster loading times and working with a website host powered by green energy.

“Of course, businesses should care about their website’s carbon footprint and accessibility from an ethical standpoint but even if that is not your main focus right now, the benefits of having a sustainable website are undeniable,” said Marie.

“Better traffic, improved conversions and higher Google rankings – all leading to more sales. Going green pays off in more ways than one.”

The event, organised by Northamptonshire membership group NNBN, also highlighted the ‘green grant’ funding available to support eco-friendly website optimisation. The presenters explored the importance of making websites accessible to all users, particularly those with disabilities, in line with the new Web Content Accessibility Guidelines now in force.

Daniel said: “The digital world may seem invisible but it leaves a big carbon footprint. The benefits of greening your website are plentiful – not only does it help the planet but it can also elevate your business.

“Greener websites tend to rank higher in search engines like Google, meaning greater visibility, higher traffic, and ultimately more sales.”

Marie added: “Our goal was not to push sales at the event. It was about raising awareness and helping local businesses take action. Many do not realise their website has a carbon footprint but with just a few simple changes, you can make a real difference.

“Working together, we can have a huge impact.”