Could an eco-score cut your digital footprint?

When you’re going paperless to reduce your impact on the environment, it’s a concern to hear that electronic devices have an environmental impact, too. To sort out this problem, a Microsoft Windows 11 system update is expected to introduce an innovative new feature.

The update could help users reduce the energy consumption of their device to limit its environmental toll. Discovered by a software investigator, Windows’ eco-score has yet to be announced by Microsoft but screenshots reveal how the tech company has created a ‘Sustainability’ option, which users can select to save energy and gain insights into device recycling.

“A Windows 11 tester did some digging and found a bunch of hidden features in the latest Windows 11 Insider build, including one that may show how eco-friendly your computer is,” wrote the news editor at technology magazine How To Geek. “These features haven’t been officially announced, but hopefully, they will become official soon.”

[Read other stories about companies and entrepreneurs working towards more responsible consumption and production]

As well as an option to switch your device onto energy-saving mode, the feature includes “advanced eco recommendations,” which it says include higher impact ways to save energy.

The IT industry’s footprint amounts to an estimated 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions – nearly as much as the global aviation industry. This is due to carbon emissions from production, transportation and usage.

This impact is expected to worsen with an increasing demand for laptops. At least 160 million laptops are produced each year and this is expected to rise to 250 million due to Covid.

Mark Harrison, a technical specialist at Microsoft wrote: “Climate change is one of the greatest challenges for mankind and in our lifetime, and as Software Engineers and Application Developers we can play our part here. We all need to be on board to encourage and help everyone to build and deploy sustainable software applications.”

Inspired to act?

TRY: To reduce your digital footprint, try sustainable second-hand specialists such as Circular Computing.

DONATE: Get involved and donate to Computers 4 Charity, who securely refurbishes your unwanted or redundant laptops, computers or old IT equipment and donate it to charity causes.

READ: 5 ways to become an eco-warrior at home.