Sustainable IT

Technology can help us minimise our environmental footprint, but we also need to use IT and tools responsibly.   Staff can get involved and learn more about environmentally responsible behaviours on campus through our training and Green Impact programme.

Reducing the environmental impact of our IT equipment

We work closely with suppliers who share our commitment to sustainability and sustainable procurement priorities.

We are working to minimise the environmental impact of equipment across its lifecycle, from production and delivery to use and disposal.

• Our standard IT products are Energy Star certified, meeting internationally recognised energy efficiency standards and helping to reduce overall energy consumption.
• Staff are encouraged to request only the devices they need and return unused equipment for reallocation, extending product lifecycles and reducing waste. Old IT equipment can be returned by raising a call with the IT Service Desk.
• Importantly, none of our end-of-life IT equipment goes to landfill. All items are responsibly recycled through accredited channels.

Energy-efficient digital infrastructure

We want to grow our University and benefit from innovative digital tools so we need digital infrastructure that will enable us to minimise the environmental impact of our communication, data processing and digital information exchange.

Our data centres consume a lot of energy; we are working to reduce the environmental impact of our data centres whilst keeping our digital operations running smoothly by moving our core services from on-campus data centres to Microsoft Azure. Azure will reduce our need for excess hardware and energy, helping us lower our carbon footprint and improve our operational efficiency.

Responsible use of Emerging Technologies

We support responsible use of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and understand that the environmental impact of AI is a concern for many people. Querying Large Language Models in particular can be very energy inefficient, contributing to climate change and the depletion of other natural resources. Our University community is encouraged to use AI mindfully and purposefully in their work and research practices. From reusing previous prompt responses to switching off AI tools in apps that aren’t needed, there are many ways we can all contribute to more sustainable use of AI. Our AI Hub on SharePoint provides guidance and resources, designed to increase the understanding of the impact of using AI and to share practices which can be employed to use AI responsibly. 

Sustainable high-performance computing

A globally leading university is built on a foundation of world-class research. One of our key research goals is to amplify the scale, visibility, and impact of our research; as our research activity grows, so will our demand for high-performance computing.

High-performance computing uses a lot of computing power. We are proud that our purpose-built Grange Road research data centre is the first in the UK higher education sector to use a state-of-the-art water-cooling system, which enables us to reduce the cooling energy needed by 83%.

Research staff are encouraged to reduce the demand on our energy centre by reducing digital storage and considering their approach to research. The Advanced Research Computing (ARC) team delivers Birmingham Environment for Academic Research (BEAR), offering support to research academics on how to reduce the environmental impact of their computing and analysis. The team can also provide support to code efficiently to reduce energy consumption or support applications to the Green DiSC certification scheme, which fosters environmentally responsible research computing.

Using Technology Sustainably

Small changes in how we use technology can make a big difference in reducing energy consumption and supporting the University’s sustainability goals. Here are some simple steps you can take to make a positive impact:

Your Devices

• Turn off your computer, laptop, and monitor at the end of the day instead of leaving them on overnight.
• Enable power-saving settings and reduce screen brightness where possible.
• Unplug chargers and peripherals, such as docking stations, when not in use, as they continue to draw power even when idle.

Printing

• Print only when necessary and consider if a digital copy would suffice.
• Use duplex (double-sided) printing as your default setting.
• Collect or cancel print jobs promptly to avoid unnecessary device operation.

Video Calls and Streaming

• Turn off your camera during video calls when it’s not needed, as video streaming uses significantly more energy than audio.
• Close unnecessary browser tabs and applications during calls to reduce the demand on your device.

Cloud Storage and Email

• Regularly clear out old emails, downloads, and files stored in cloud services.
• Share links to files via OneDrive or SharePoint rather than sending large attachments.
• Unsubscribe from email lists you no longer need.

Teaching and Meeting Rooms

• Turn off projectors, screens, and other audiovisual equipment when leaving a room.
• Report any equipment that appears to be left on permanently to your local IT or Estates contact.

By making these small changes, we can collectively reduce our energy consumption and contribute to the University’s net-zero commitments.

Sustainable IT Procurement

Sustainability is a core consideration in the procurement of our IT hardware, software, and digital infrastructure. We embed environmental standards into our procurement processes, ensuring that providers meet or work towards internationally recognised certifications. These include:

• ISO 14001: A global standard for Environmental Management Systems, providing a structured framework to minimise environmental impact.
• ISO 50001: The international standard for Energy Management Systems, ensuring suppliers actively monitor and improve their energy performance.
• EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme): A European Union standard that goes beyond ISO 14001 by requiring independently verified environmental performance reporting.

By integrating these requirements into procurement processes, we aim to reduce the environmental impact of our supply chain.