EcoN’UM: UM’s Digital Detox Week

Digital technology is an integral part of our daily lives, yet its environmental impact often goes unrecognized: equipment manufacturing, server energy consumption, invisible digital pollution… Adopting more sustainable practices is a key challenge for the ecological transition.

From March 16 to 21, 2026, the University of Montpellier will host the second edition of ÉcoN’UM, its week dedicated to responsible digital technology.

This initiative is fully in line with the institution’s commitment to ecological transition as outlined in its Master Plan. It aims to:

• gain a better understanding of the environmental impacts of digital technology;
• encourage collective reflection on our practices;
• identify practical solutions that are accessible to everyone;
• take action, both individually and collectively, to reduce our digital footprint.

Taking part in ÉcoN’UM is an opportunity to learn, understand, and take action together to promote a more sustainable and responsible digital future.

Program

Two Digital Murals

On Friday, March 20, 2026, two digital art exhibitions will be held:

• 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: School of Law and Political Science;
• 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Triolet Campus.

A collective challenge

This challenge is part of an effort to reduce the environmental impact of digital technology: once again this year, it will involve reducing the storage volume of UM email inboxes, which requires each of us to sort through and delete emails from our Zimbra inboxes.

For assistance, please feel free to consult the tutorial“Reducing the Size of Your Email Inbox”available on the Digital Services website. This guide has been updated following the introduction in 2025 of a new feature in Zimbra that allows you to remove large attachments without altering the essential content of your messages. It includes a video.

We are counting on your support and commitment to help us collectively reduce the University of Montreal’s digital footprint and ensure that our practices are firmly rooted in environmental responsibility.

Resources

For further information, resources (podcasts, videos, infographics) are available on the Responsible Digital Use section of the University of Montpellier’s digital website to better understand and adopt a more mindful approach to digital technology.

We are all digital users. Working toward an ecological transition and sustainable development also means rethinking how we use digital technology.

Together, let’s make digital technology a tool for responsible change.