This article gives a view to sustainable digital transformation, and presents an actionable principles for the later one.
Sustainable digital transformation
Digitalisation can serve as a catalyst for sustainability transformation, addressing the imperative of navigating towards net-zero futures characterised by heightened efficiency and regenerative, climate-positive objectives (Tieke, 2024). It means for example tackling climate change and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, advancing environmental protection and circular economy models and reducing social polarisation and safeguarding democracy.
While digitalisation offers great potential for building a more sustainable future, we must admit that it is not a neutral tool.
In many cases, it has made it easier to extract, consume, and waste resources—often hiding environmental costs behind polished digital interfaces. Technologies like 5G, IoT, electric vehicles, robotics, and AI have accelerated the digitisation of daily life, increasing energy use, material demand, and environmental strain. For example, the global internet user base has more than doubled since 2010, reaching 5.35 billion in 2024 (Statista, 2024), driving a surge in end-user devices. These devices, made from finite raw materials, contribute to an estimated 50 million tons of e-waste annually—80% of which is not recycled (UNEP, 2024). Many end up in landfills, releasing toxins and accelerating resource depletion through mining. On the data side, traffic surges—especially from streaming and gaming—place heavy demands on energy-intensive data centers (IEA, 2024). In 2020, the ICT sector consumed about 4% of global electricity, with end-user devices using 60% of that total (The Impact of Networks in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions of a Major European CSP. 2023). Altogether, digital technologies contribute around 2% of global energy-related emissions IEA, 2023) raising important questions about how we can realign digitalisation with true sustainability.
We need a digital reset
This bold shift that ensures that digital technologies truly serve sustainability goals.
It calls for action across all levels of society:
Organisations must turn the focus from sustainability strategies and reporting into practice. There lies a lot of possibilities in utilising sustainability reporting data for new business and service innovation.
Governments must enforce clear regulations, support green business models, fund sustainable innovation, and lead by example through responsible digital service procurement, design and development.
Individuals can adopt digital minimalism e.g. by skipping unnecessary upgrades, choosing energy-efficient devices, extending product lifecycles, and being mindful of their digital consumption habits.
Principles for Sustainable Digitalisation
To truly reduce the environmental impact of digitalisation and foster sustainable progress, we must embed sustainability into every layer of how we think, design, and deliver technology. This requires more than tools or checklists — it calls for a fundamental shift in mindset and methods. By adhering to these principles, we can navigate towards a more sustainable digital future, where technological advancements align with environmental stewardship and social equity.
Emphasise social responsibility and equity
Digitalisation must leave no one behind. Prioritise accessibility, representation, and equitable access to technology. Design with and for diverse communities.
Make environmental impact visible and actionable
Every digital product affects the planet. Consider the full environmental footprint — including energy use, emissions, materials, and impact on ecosystems. Use frameworks like circular design to reduce waste and pollution, and make your choices transparent and accountable.
Design for simplicity, efficiency, and behavior change
Create user experiences that are intuitive and resource-efficient. Reduce noise, unnecessary features, and screen time. Nudge users toward sustainable behaviors while avoiding dark patterns and manipulation.
Develop sustainable infrastructure
Embrace green coding practices and efficient architecture. Choose hosting partners powered by renewable energy, with transparent reporting on energy and emissions. Prioritise sufficiency, repairability, and circularity in devices and infrastructure.
Build ethical and efficient AI
Treat data and AI systems like physical products: measure their footprint, address bias, and consider energy use from training to deployment. Design AI and data systems that minimise resource use, reduce bias, and remain transparent and accountable.
Engineering – don’t forget the end
Digital services don’t end when users leave. Help people clean up their data, unsubscribe from unused tools, offboard easily and minimise digital clutter. Build graceful, responsible exits into your design process.
To take these principles towards action, I recommend to check out these online resources and networks.
I also happen to be one of the co-founders of the Sustinaires Collective, so don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions in relation to that one.
The Sustainable UX Network offers a podcast, collection of methods from strategic to service, concept and UX/UI design, and slack-community.
Green Software Foundation is builds standards, offers best practices, tools and hackathons for tech people, PM’s and UX Designers. It also offers a free certificate.
Sustinaires Collective is Finland based network of thinkers and professionals with the aim to boost sustainable digitalisation and transformation.
To conclude. Digitalisation is a part of the solution — but only if we make it so. Without conscious direction, it risks deepening the very crises it could help solve. To unlock its full potential, digitalisation must be grounded in responsibility, equity, and long-term thinking.