Virtual use, real impact!

Although the impact of the use of digital equipment is less significant than that of its manufacture, it is not negligible. The network, which connects users' terminals to each other and to data centers, accounts for 22% of the greenhouse gas emissions of the digital sector.

Two good practices, simple to implement, can limit theenvironmental impactof the use of digital equipment:

Favour fast and stable cable connection (ethernet rather than WiFi)

The institution offers a powerful internet access that is best used instead of its 4G connection. Good to know:

• The wired solution (ethernet) is 10 to 20% more economical than the WiFi solution.
• 4G connection consumes about three times more energy than ADSL or cable

Turn off unused equipment

A computer that consumes 100 W and stays on all year long (instead of during working hours) represents an overconsumption of at least 615 kWh per year (equivalent to about 20% of the electricity consumption of a household) and 280 kg of CO2.

For the computer equipment managed by SEGI (the central administration computers), the PCs are automatically shut down in the evening (if the user forgets) and must remain connected to the electrical network for the automatic management of updates (scheduled at night). The screens are turned off manually. For the Faculties, it is recommended that you contact the Decentralised IT Unit (UDI) if you have any doubts about the potential impact of switching off computer equipment.