Why It Matters
Most people don’t think about the environmental impact of their websites, but every website uses energy—through hosting, data transfers, and content delivery. In fact, the internet contributes more CO2 emissions than the airline industry!
For healthcare membership organisations, sustainability is more than a buzzword—it’s an opportunity to align with ethical and environmental values while improving website performance.
In this guide, we’ll explore how your website’s carbon footprint affects the environment and how you can reduce it.
Understanding Your Website’s Carbon Footprint
Websites consume energy in multiple ways:
- Hosting Servers: Websites are stored on servers that run 24/7, often powered by fossil fuels.
- Data Transfers: Each page view, image load, or video play requires energy.
- Coding Inefficiencies: Bloated code, excessive plugins, and heavy scripts increase processing demands.
The larger and more complex your website, the more energy it consumes.
Want to see how eco-friendly your site is? Try the Website Carbon Calculator: https://www.websitecarbon.com
How to Reduce Your Website’s Carbon Footprint
1. Switch to a Green Hosting Provider
Not all web hosts are equal. Many rely on energy-intensive data centres powered by fossil fuels. Choose a hosting provider that uses renewable energy, such as:
- GreenGeeks – Runs on 300% renewable energy.
- Kualo – UK-based, powered entirely by renewables.
- SiteGround’s Green Energy Program – Offsets energy consumption.
2. Optimise Images & Videos
Images and videos account for a large portion of data transfers. To reduce their impact:
- Compress images before uploading (TinyPNG, ShortPixel).
- Use WebP format instead of PNG/JPG for better compression.
- Host videos externally (YouTube, Vimeo) instead of directly on your site.
3. Remove Unnecessary Content & Plugins
Less is more when it comes to sustainability!
- Audit your website to remove outdated pages and files.
- Reduce reliance on autoplay videos—use images or text where possible.
- Disable unused plugins and scripts that slow down your website.
4. Enable Caching & Improve Load Speeds
Faster websites consume less energy. Improve your website’s efficiency by:
- Enabling browser caching to reduce repeated server requests.
- Using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to serve content closer to users.
- Minifying code (CSS, JavaScript) to improve performance.
5. Encourage Sustainable Digital Behaviour
- Provide printer-friendly pages to reduce unnecessary printing.
- Offer downloadable PDFs instead of content-heavy webpages.
- Simplify navigation so users can find information faster, reducing data usage.
The Bigger Picture: Sustainable Digital Strategies
A sustainable website benefits both the planet and your organisation.
- Regular website audits highlight areas for energy efficiency.
- Educating your team on digital sustainability ensures long-term improvements.
- Partnering with green suppliers (hosting, software, digital agencies) reduces environmental impact.
Need help making your website more sustainable?
Book a free sustainability consultation with More Time To and we’ll assess how your site can go greener!
Get in touch today!
