Why Low Carbon Digital Design is No Longer Optional

We often assume that digital solutions are inherently sustainable — no paper, no physical production, no transport. But the reality is quite different. The digital world has a significant ecological footprint, and it’s time we do something about it. In this article, UI Designer and Design System Contributor Erhan Lammar shares insights, experiences, and practical tips on how designers and developers can actively contribute to a more sustainable digital future through ​“Low Carbon Digital Design.”

The environmental impact of the internet is still unknown to many. The reality is confronting:

“The internet is obese. We store massive amounts of content and unused data online, housed in energy-intensive data centers.”

According to consultancy firm GreenIT, digital technologies are responsible for as much as 4% of global CO₂ emissions — that’s roughly the weight of 200,000 Eiffel Towers!

This proves that digital does not automatically equal sustainable and highlights the urgency of embracing Low Carbon Digital Design.

The Hidden Polluters in Digital Design

Where exactly does all that pollution come from? It’s a mix of hosting, heavy media files, unused code, and inefficient load times. Data centers, in particular, are the ​“hidden polluters”:

“Data centers may seem less harmful because they’re not as visible as factories, but their energy consumption is massive.”

Unoptimized websites with large images, unused code, and non-green hosting all contribute to this footprint.

Practical Steps Toward a Sustainable Digital Footprint

So how do you make a digital experience truly sustainable? Here are actionable steps you can take today:

1. Green hosting: Choose data centers powered by renewable energy.
2. Efficient media formats: Use WebP (up to 34% smaller than JPEG or PNG) and SVG (vector-based, scalable without quality loss).
3. Lazy loading: Only load images and videos when the user actually views them.
4. Clean code: Remove unused CSS and JavaScript.
5. Dark Mode: On OLED screens, dark mode significantly reduces energy use by turning pixels off. Important caveat: this only applies to OLED. On LCD screens, the backlight remains on even when pixels are dark. So dark mode isn’t always the greener choice.

A sustainable design doesn’t have to sacrifice aesthetics or brand experience:

“Low carbon doesn’t mean boring. It’s about making smarter choices. Take Dodonut​.com as an example: a visually appealing, user-friendly site with an extremely low CO₂ footprint.”

Measuring Digital Sustainability

Fortunately, there are tools and benchmarks available to help improve your website’s environmental impact:

• Websitecarbon​.com: Offers a clear CO₂ score and compares your emissions to everyday activities.
• Digital Beacon and Ecograder: Provide detailed analysis and actionable recommendations.

For example, our own site at Pàu scored just 0.3 grams of CO₂ per page load according to Ecograder — a measurable result of conscious design decisions.

Real impact requires close collaboration:

“Designers and developers need to take joint responsibility. When starting new projects, remove old, inefficient code and use only what’s necessary. This keeps the website clean and sustainable.”

We’re seeing increasing interest from clients as well:

“Companies like Belfius are making deliberate investments in digital sustainability and openly communicating about it. It enhances their brand image and contributes tangibly to lower emissions.”

Inspiring Examples and a Future Outlook

In addition to practical tips, there are several standout examples:

• Dodonut​.com: A minimalist, beautiful website with remarkably low emissions.
• Dalkia​.com: Uses pixelated images that sharpen after loading — smart and energy-efficient.
• KingKong​-magazine​.com: Leverages dark mode and interactivity to reduce energy use.

Belgian companies like Belfius are also setting a strong example with integrated Low Carbon strategies in their digital communication.

The Role of Design Systems in a Sustainable Future

Design systems are key to scalable sustainability. By embedding sustainability principles into your design system, you create immediate, replicable impact:

“It makes Low Carbon not an add-on, but a default.”

AI and the Energy Challenge

Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly important role alongside web design. Tools like ChatGPT are incredibly power-hungry:

“AI wordt bijna continu gebruikt in ons dagelijks leven. Daarom is bewust en efficiënt gebruik ervan essentieel.”

Being mindful about prompt relevance — and not using AI just for the sake of it — can reduce your digital carbon impact.

The Power of Awareness and Choice

Low Carbon Digital Design is all about awareness and smart decisions. My key message to fellow designers and stakeholders:

“Low carbon doesn’t mean less appealing. On the contrary, intentional design choices can strengthen your brand while contributing to a more sustainable world.”

We have both the responsibility and the tools to make a real difference.

Conclusion: Let’s Get to Work

Low Carbon Digital Design isn’t about limitations. It’s about awareness, responsibility, and making better choices. As digital professionals, we share a collective duty. The good news? Even small changes can deliver big results.

By choosing green hosting, efficient media formats, and clean code today, you’re already laying the foundation for a more sustainable digital future:

“Sustainable design is smarter design. And it improves not just your website, but the world we live in.”

Let’s get to work!