Challenges and Solutions for Sustainable ICT: The Role of File Storage

Luigi Mersico, Hossein Abroshan (), Erika Sanchez-Velazquez, Lakshmi Babu Saheer, Sarinova Simandjuntak, Sunrita Dhar-Bhattacharjee, Ronak Al-Haddad, Nagham Saeed and Anisha Saxena
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Luigi Mersico: School of Computing and Information Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK
Hossein Abroshan: School of Computing and Information Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK
Erika Sanchez-Velazquez: School of Computing and Information Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK
Lakshmi Babu Saheer: School of Computing and Information Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK
Sarinova Simandjuntak: School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, UK
Sunrita Dhar-Bhattacharjee: School of Management, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK
Ronak Al-Haddad: School of Computing and Information Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK
Nagham Saeed: School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, London W5 5RF, UK
Anisha Saxena: School of Computing and Information Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 18, 1-19

Abstract: Digitalization has been increasingly recognized for its role in addressing numerous societal and environmental challenges. However, the rapid surge in data production and the widespread adoption of cloud computing has resulted in an explosion of redundant, obsolete, and trivial (ROT) data within organizations’ data estates. This issue adversely affects energy consumption and carbon footprint, leading to inefficiencies and a higher environmental impact. Thus, this opinion paper aims to discuss the challenges and potential solutions related to the environmental impact of file storage on the cloud, aiming to address the research gap in “digital sustainability” and the Green IT literature. The key findings reveal that technological issues dominate cloud computing and sustainability research. Key challenges in achieving sustainable practices include the widespread lack of awareness about the environmental impacts of digital activities, the complexity of implementing accurate carbon accounting systems compliant with existing regulatory frameworks, and the role of public–private partnerships in developing novel solutions in emerging areas such as 6G technology.

Keywords: digital sustainability; cloud storage; carbon footprint; data management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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