Deepali Shanbhag

• Use video when in a call only as needed (e.g. to meet and greet, when speaking or for small team meetings).
• Stream our videos or audio in standard definition.
• Reduce participation in unnecessary online meetings.
• When all participants are in the office, meet in person and not online.

• Review and clean our files and apps regularly.
• Stop keeping and storing data that we know will never be used again.
• Reduce the file size of our documents, images, video and other multimedia assets.
• Think twice before downloading or uploading files or new apps.

• Always use links to online files, where possible, as opposed to attaching documents to emails. Cloud-based and other solutions like this help reduce the size of emails.
• Regularly delete old emails from our inbox.
• Send a ‘Reply all’ email only if necessary.
• Unsubscribe from unwanted or no longer needed newsletters

• Not use wireless chargers, as they consume 50 per cent more energy!
• Unplug our chargers when they are not in use.
• Shut down our devices when we are not using them, especially at night (this also includes Wi-Fi or Bluetooth).
• Avoid using large screens or two screens unless we really have a task that justifies it.
• Reduce the brightness of our screens and use dark mode (or grey mode for mobile). This not only saves energy, but also reduces eye fatigue and dry eyes.
• Close our apps and tabs and disable location services when we are not using them.
• Reduce notifications and the use of animated screen savers. This saves energy.

• Repair devices and not change them every two or three years.
• Buy devices that are repairable, refurbished or remanufactured.
• Keep the battery levels of devices between 20 and 80 per cent as this ensures a longer battery life.
• Never leave devices plugged in at full charge. Instead, charge for short and regular intervals as this also increases the battery life.

Did you know that a typical year of incoming emails adds 136 kg of emissions to a person’s carbon footprint, or the equivalent of driving 320 kms in an average car. Digital pollution is the greenhouse gases that come from building, delivering and using digital technology. It makes up 4 per cent of the world’s global greenhouse emissions – double that of the global aviation industry – and this number is growing exponentially as our way of working and living becomes increasingly digital. The good news is that we can act on this by changing our daily behaviors at work and at home.

If you must print, use Garamond instead of Times New Roman

Use reusable and washable cloth napkins

Buy used books, or borrow books instead of purchasing new ones

Replace disposable paper towels with reusable cloths