Minimising the Carbon Footprint of Our Website
How We Are Minimising the Carbon Footprint of Our Website
At EcoMerit, we’re always looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact – including the digital side of our operations. Thanks to James Hogan, a member of our Oversight Board and Senior Environmental Consultant with CTC, a strategic partner of EcoMerit, we recently explored the question: How much carbon does our website produce, and how can we minimise it?
When our website was being designed by Hashtag Web & Digital Agency, we specifically asked how its carbon footprint could be reduced. Hashtag took this challenge seriously and implemented several measures to make our website as efficient and sustainable as possible.
1. Green Hosting
Our website is hosted with SiteGround, a provider that operates on green hosting infrastructure. Independent analysis from the Website Carbon Calculator shows that the EcoMerit website performs exceptionally well – ranking within the top 5% of the lowest-emitting websites globally. Based on current usage levels, our total estimated emissions are less than 3 kg of CO₂ per year.
2. Measuring Our Digital Impact
You may notice the Carbon Calculator at the bottom of our site, which provides an estimate of the emissions generated during each visit. The results vary depending on factors such as which page is viewed, where the visitor is located, how many others are browsing simultaneously, and the overall size and complexity of the site. This is an evolving tool that helps us better understand – and continue to reduce – our website’s digital carbon footprint.
3. Inspiring Wider Change
Perhaps the most impactful outcome of this project was the ripple effect it created. After Hashtag contacted SiteGround to learn more about their sustainability credentials, they decided to move all of their client websites onto green hosting. This proactive step has multiplied the positive impact far beyond our own site, demonstrating how one conversation can help shift an entire supply chain toward a lower-carbon future.
Hashtag have also committed to championing a more sustainable and energy-efficient web, an approach outlined in their recent article “Building a Greener Web”. This ongoing commitment reinforces the importance of responsible digital practices across the industry.
What You Can Do
Every organisation can take steps to make their online presence more sustainable. Start by asking your web hosting provider if they use green energy and follow best practices in sustainable web design. By doing so, you’ll not only reduce your own emissions, but you’ll also help drive broader change across the digital ecosystem.
Part of Our Wider Commitment
Digital sustainability is just one aspect of EcoMerit’s broader mission to help organisations reduce their environmental impact in practical, measurable ways. Whether it’s energy efficiency, resource management, or operational improvements, we believe that small, informed actions – like minimising the carbon footprint of a website – can drive meaningful change. We’ll continue to lead by example and support our members in taking positive steps toward a more sustainable future.