{"id":1518,"date":"2025-05-21T13:28:40","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T12:28:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/?p=1518"},"modified":"2025-05-21T13:28:40","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T12:28:40","slug":"from-pixels-to-planet-building-digital-sustainability-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/2025\/05\/21\/from-pixels-to-planet-building-digital-sustainability-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"From Pixels to Planet: Building digital sustainability skills"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do we need to think more about the environmental impact of our digital choices? <\/span><\/i>In this blog we explore what \u2018digital sustainability\u2019 means, why we should consider it and how to address it here at the University of Bath.<\/p>\n

Digital communication and language increasingly shape \u2018our understanding of the world and the challenges it faces\u2019 (Brown, 2014: 280). Technological advancements and digital innovations also play an integral role in shaping the educational landscape. The advent of generative AI and its widespread usage has highlighted the <\/span>role of technology<\/span><\/a> in guiding Higher Education.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>University of Bath digital strategy<\/span><\/a> and the <\/span>University Climate Action Framework<\/span><\/a> highlight the need to have ethics and <\/span>sustainability interwoven<\/span><\/a> into every aspect of our learning and teaching. When making decisions regarding technological developments, we should consider <\/span>the impact <\/span><\/a>in relation to our responsibility to the environment. A well-informed approach to our digital choices can help all of us to reflect and better align our commitments to the world we live in<\/span><\/p>\n

Digital Sustainability: What does it mean?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Digital sustainability refers to the actions and initiatives that explore the role of digital technologies relative to the natural environment and sustainability. It can be approached and understood in a few diverse ways. Firstly, it addresses issues related to the direct and indirect <\/span>impact of digital technologies on the environment<\/span><\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Secondly, digital sustainability considers exploring the <\/span>potential of digital technologies<\/span><\/b> in <\/span>creating innovative solutions<\/span><\/a> to sustainable development. Lastly, from an <\/span>ethical standpoint<\/span><\/b> looking at UN Sustainable Development Goals (<\/span>SDGs<\/span><\/a>), part of the digital sustainability initiative is to also consider the role of digital technologies in increasing versus decreasing global inequality gaps.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Image<\/a>
Image showing over-arching aspects of digital sustainability<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Skills Development: Why does it matter?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Digital and Academic Skills team aim to equip students with skills that enable them to <\/span>live, learn and work in a digital society<\/span><\/a>. From that perspective, embedding wider issues like <\/span>digital sustainability are a key part<\/span><\/a> of our resource provision.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018It is vital to embed topics like digital sustainability into our skills provision. In an increasingly interconnected world, understanding the environmental and societal impacts of our digital choices is essential. By equipping students and staff with the knowledge and tools to adopt sustainable digital practices, we empower them to make responsible decisions that align with broader institutional and global goals. This integration ensures that our learners are not just digitally skilled, but also conscientious contributors to a sustainable world.\u2019\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave Busby, Head of Digital and Academic Skill<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>environmental impact of digital practices in higher education<\/span><\/a> span from energy-intensive data storage in cloud servers to the electronic waste generated by technology upgrades.<\/span>
\nFor staff and students, addressing these impacts becomes essential in fostering a future where digital learning contributes to, rather than detracts from, sustainable resource management and reduced carbon footprints.<\/span> These include addressing:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n