Pillar 8: *Sustainability*
We recognise that the underlying computational infrastructure used to support our science itself has a significant environmental impact. We are committed to minimising this impact through sustainable technology practices and to embedding sustainability into the very fabric of the design of our digital research infrastructure and computational services.
Co-design is central to our approach, and we involve stakeholders directly in the development of our digital infrastructures, taking account of their aspirations, challenges and needs, and getting their input at every stage of the project lifecycle. We adopt inclusive design practices, considering a wide range of needs, and working towards equitable outcomes. By incorporating diverse perspectives, we will accelerate innovation and create solutions that work for more people.
Example: Glastonbury: How green is the cloud?
In 2023, UKCEH engaged festival goers at Glastonbury with the hidden emissions of cloud computing. We hosted a stall in the Futurarium tent in the Science Futures area of the festival, where members of the public could engage in interactive activities designed to help them understand the amount of energy used in everyday tasks such as sending an email or posting on social media platforms.
A popular activity was a game of snakes and ladders illustrating the potential improvements that can be made to sustainability in cloud computing, but also the potential unintended consequences associated with these steps. For example, increasing the efficiency of digital infrastructure may seem like a gain but this can paradoxically result in more energy usage and carbon emissions due to rebound effects.
Professor Gordon Blair and Marcia Smith also appeared on the Laboratory stage discussing the relationship between technology and nature.
