UM A Different Kind of Digital Future Is Possible
Digital technology, which is ubiquitous in our daily lives, has an environmental footprint that is still too often overlooked and underestimated: equipment production, energy consumption, diffuse and invisible pollution… In this context, adopting more sustainable practices—aimed at reducing the digital footprint by addressing its life cycle and usage patterns in the face of its constant expansion—is essential to the ecological transition. The University of Montpellier is fully committed to responsible digital technology, in line with its Ecological Transition Master Plan (SDTE) and its Digital Master Plan (SDN).
As part ofUM Week, held from March 16 to 21, various educational resources (podcasts, videos, infographics) were made available on the “Responsible Digital Use” page of the university’s website. Two digital workshops were also offered. Led by two faculty members from the University of Montpellier and held on Friday, March 20, at the Faculty of Law and Political Science and the Faculty of Sciences, these workshops brought together 17 participants. The goal was to help staff better understand the environmental impact of digital technology (CO₂ emissions, resource extraction, water consumption, waste production), identify the main sources of this impact (equipment manufacturing, data centers, networks), and consider concrete steps they can take to reduce their digital footprint.
The Digital Landscape highlights several key lessons for understanding the environmental challenges posed by digital technology. First, digital technology is far from intangible: it relies on very real infrastructure and equipment, the production and use of which have a significant impact. Among these impacts, user devices (smartphones, computers, televisions) have the greatest weight, particularly due to the resources required for their production. Manufacturing this equipment requires the extraction of large quantities of minerals—often rare ones—while recycling remains limited and does not allow for the efficient recovery of all resources. At the same time, the development of artificial intelligence is significantly increasing the energy consumption of data centers, further exacerbating the digital sector’s overall environmental footprint. Despite these concerning findings, it is possible to envision and build a more frugal, responsible, and sustainable digital world—provided we rethink our practices and needs.
In this regard, everyone is encouraged to rethink their habits and practices to reduce their environmental impact. This starts with limiting the purchase of new equipment, opting for used or refurbished items whenever possible, repairing broken devices, and giving unused devices a second life. A more mindful approach to digital technology is also essential, achieved by reducing the number and size of screens and adopting more thoughtful usage habits.
At the institutional level, the goal is to encourage the consolidation and streamlining of computer servers to reduce the number of devices and, consequently, energy consumption. Under the leadership of the DSIN and the ISDM, and in consultation with the academic departments, schools, and institutes, the institution has begun a process of gradually closing local server rooms in favor of shared hosting at the National Higher Education IT Center (CINES), which is recognized for its high standards of energy efficiency.
This streamlining of equipment is accompanied by the optimization of IT hardware usage through the widespread adoption of virtualization technology and the systematic replacement of obsolete equipment. In addition, the institution’s IT equipment policy was revised several years ago to extend the useful life of computer workstations from 5 to 7 years.
This Digital Detox Week was thus a key moment for raising awareness and fostering collective action. It serves as a reminder that everyone, in their own way, can help reduce the impact of digital technology—provided they adopt more responsible practices and reflect on their own usage. Far from being a constraint, digital detox emerges as both a necessity and an opportunity: the chance to rethink our relationship with technology in order to build a more sustainable future.