Digital Sustainability: Tackling the Next Climate Change Battle
Today, the higher education sector is increasingly focusing on sustainability. Hundreds of colleges and universities around the globe are aligning their teaching and research with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals., according to the World Association for Sustainable Development’s SDGsUni list. Here in the U.K. (where we’re based), 10% of universities list sustainability as one of their flagship values in their mission statements. And there’s a range of environmental awards focused on best practice within our sector, such as the International Green Gown Awards.
Meanwhile, our students continue to campaign for greater sustainability. Many students’ unions now have a dedicated environmental officer and take part in the annual Green Impact assessment from Students Organising for Sustainability. Without doubt, sustainability is a watchword in our sector.
We’ve seen this shift in advancement too, as advancement professionals have become increasingly aware that we must reduce our print materials to become more sustainable. Fundraising campaigns are transitioning from direct mails to email outreach. Alumni magazines are being reimagined as digital alternatives, such as online microsites. Open day guides and recruitment materials are starting to be produced in PDF and HTML formats, rather than throwaway paper copies.
The University of Nottingham even stopped producing a traditional, weighty, printed prospectus in exchange for our micro-prospectus. This award-winning innovation saved more than 72 tonnes of paper and more than 18,240 kilograms of carbon dioxide. This is the equivalent of an average petrol- or gasoline-powered car driving 287,000 miles.
As a sector, we should be proud of these bold steps to reduce the print carbon footprint of our student recruitment, marketing, alumni relations, and fundraising activities. But how often do we consider our digital carbon footprint?
