Section 6 – Digital emissions

Increasingly, digital emissions are coming to the forefront of organisations’ concerns. It is estimated that they could account for around 3% of global emissions. Despite this, they are difficult to measure and monitor at present so digital emissions are not a requirement for reporting this year. However, you can use this section to share any work you have done relating to digital emissions. We encourage you to think about your website, data storage, online meetings, emails and AI use.

If you wish to see the guidance for a specific question, please use the question list below.

6.1. Do you have an awareness of your organisation’s digital emissions?

Digital emission include emissions from your organisation’s website, online applications, digital storage, emails, video conferencing and AI use. If you have information on any of these, we encourage you to report it here.

Options available:

Yes
No, but we have an awareness of these emissions or our digital environmental impact.
No, and we do not have an awareness of these emissions or our digital environmental impact.

This is a mandatory question for all organisations that it is shown to.

If you select ‘Yes’ in this question, you will be shown 6.1a and 6.1b.

If you select ‘No, but we have an awareness of these emissions or our digital environmental impact’, you will be shown 6.1c.

If you select ‘No, and we do not have an awareness of these emissions or our digital environmental impact’, further guidance will be signposted.

Reason for question

Specific data around digital emissions is not mandatory, but we want to give organisations the opportunity to report this since it can represent a significant impact and a significant opportunity for emission reduction. This question also gives the opportunity to provide awareness so we can understand the knowledge present in the sector.

Supporting resources

Wholegrain digital declutter toolkit
Considerate Digital tools
Guide to sustainable digital communications
Article on the environmental impact of AI
Supercool cultural website sustainability benchmark report 2025
Emissions from social media usage
Google Workspace carbon footprint (if your organisation uses Google Drive)

6.1a. Please report your digital emissions in kgCO2e.

This is space for you to provide any emissions data from digital activities . Please report the figures in kgCO2e. Adding the data here ensures that it is included in you total carbon footprint.

You will see this question if you select ‘Yes’ in 5.2.

Reason for question

If you can measure digital emissions, including them in your overall footprint will give you a better idea of your overall impact so you can take the most worthwhile action.

Supporting resources

Considerate Digital tools
Article on the environmental impact of AI
Emissions from social media usage
Google Workspace carbon footprint (if your organisation uses Google Drive)

6.1b. Please tell us what is included in these emissions and how you calculated/estimated them, and anything else about your digital emissions.

This is space for you to add context to the numbers in 6.1a and also explain your current understanding on digital emissions. Do you have any policies about sustainable digital practice? Do you have a policy around AI use? Have you done a carbon audit of your website using an online audit tool? Please answer in as much detail as you can.

You will see this question if you select ‘Yes’ in 6.1.

Reason for question

If you have an awareness, we would like to understand the knowledge you have of your digital footprint so we can understand the knowledge present in the sector.

Supporting resources

6.1c. Please tell us more about your organisation’s digital emissions including any figures if you have measured them.

This is space for you to explain your current understanding on digital emissions. Do you have any policies about sustainable digital practice? Do you have a policy around AI use? Have you done a carbon audit of your website using an online audit tool? Please answer in as much detail as you can.

You will see this question if you select ‘No, but we have an awareness of these emissions or our digital environmental impact’ in 6.1.

Reason for question

If you have an awareness, we would like to understand the knowledge you have of your digital footprint so we can understand the knowledge present in the sector.