The Carbon Footprint of Spanish University Websites

Sonia Sanchez-Cuadrado and Jorge Morato ()
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Sonia Sanchez-Cuadrado: Department of Library and Information Science, Complutense University of Madrid, 28010 Madrid, Spain
Jorge Morato: Department of Computer Science, Carlos III University of Madrid, Leganes, 28911 Madrid, Spain

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 13, 1-14

Abstract: The consumption of digital content is essential for economic and scientific development, leading to a high dependence on information and communication technologies, which significantly impacts the environment. Quantifying this ecological impact is challenging due to its intangible nature and the diversity of factors. This research focuses on assessing the energy consumption and CO 2 production of Spanish university websites to evaluate their levels of digital pollution and environmental impact. The calculation of the carbon footprint considers factors related to energy consumption and the use of green or renewable energies. The findings indicate that only 17% of university websites can be considered environmentally friendly. There are significant differences in CO 2 consumption and emissions depending on whether the websites implement environmentally sound practices. This study highlights the lack of initiatives aimed at reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with web information management. The study shows that Spanish universities have the potential to contribute to the reduction in CO 2 emissions by implementing sustainable development practices on their websites. Furthermore, it fosters awareness about technology usage and its environmental impact, promoting the adoption of green and sustainable approaches.

Keywords: sustainability; carbon footprint; digital pollution; information retrieval; university websites; education; information and communications technologies; e-pollution (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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