Green Digital Footprint

1. Problem
Digital technologies are everywhere today, but their impact on the environment is often ignored. Data centres and networks, which keep the internet running, use huge amounts of electricity. The European Commission reports that in 2018 data centres in the EU consumed 76.8 TWh of electricity, equal to 2.7% of the Union’s total demand. If current trends continue, this number could rise to at least 3.2% by 2030.
The ICT sector as a whole (computers, phones, networks) already uses 8–10% of Europe’s electricity and produces 1.5–4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Making new devices, like smartphones and laptops, causes the biggest share of this pollution.
Electronic waste is another serious problem. In 2022, the EU put 14.4 million tonnes of electronic products on the market, but only 5 million tonnes were collected as waste – about 11.2 kg per person. A Eurostat survey (2024) shows that more than half of Europeans keep old phones at home, only 11% recycle them, 18% give or sell them, and just 12% think about eco-design when buying a device.
These numbers show a clear gap: people love and depend on digital tools, but often don’t realise their hidden cost. Streaming videos, online gaming, or changing devices too often all increase energy use, waste natural resources, and worsen climate change.
The problem this project addresses is the lack of awareness and practical skills among young Europeans to understand their digital carbon footprint, adopt sustainable digital behaviours and advocate for greener digital policies.

2. Main Idea of the Project
This youth exchange will empower participants to explore the environmental dimensions of digitalisation and develop practical solutions for reducing their own digital footprint. Through non‑formal education, experiential workshops and collaborative creative processes, young people will investigate how data centres, cloud services, AI and device production impact the climate, reflect on their personal digital habits, and co‑create campaigns promoting greener technology use. Participants will learn to measure their digital footprint, experiment with sustainable online behaviours (such as reducing streaming quality, prolonging device lifespans and recycling responsibly), and visit local initiatives dealing with e‑waste or renewable energy. The project will also highlight positive aspects of digitalisation, such as its potential to support renewable energy management and reduce emissions via smart technologies, inspiring young people to become advocates for a sustainable “twin transition” where digital and green transformations reinforce each other.

3. Goal
The main goal of the project is to raise awareness among young Europeans about the environmental impacts of digitalisation and equip them with the knowledge, skills and motivation to reduce their personal digital footprint and inspire their communities to adopt greener digital practices.

4. Objectives (SMART)
• Knowledge increase: By the end of the exchange, at least 80 % of participants will demonstrate an improved understanding of how digital behaviours (streaming, cloud storage, device replacement) affect energy consumption, carbon emissions and resource use, measured through pre‑ and post‑project questionnaires.
• Skills and tools: All participants will be trained to use at least two digital footprint calculators and resources (for example, tools suggested by the European Climate Pact and digital sustainability initiatives) so they can measure and monitor their own and their peers’ digital footprints.
• Adoption of sustainable habits: Each participant will identify and commit to adopting at least three sustainable digital habits (e.g., extending device lifespan, responsibly recycling or donating old devices, adjusting streaming quality, cleaning up cloud storage) and will create a personal action plan to implement them within three months after the mobility.
• Creative advocacy: Participants will work in international teams to design and disseminate at least one digital awareness campaign (such as a social media challenge, digital poster series or short video) promoting green digital behaviours, reaching a combined audience of at least 1 000 people after the mobility of the project.
• Networking and follow‑up: The project will establish a network connecting at least 36 young people and their organisations from different countries. Participants will engage in follow‑up activities (local workshops, online meet‑ups or collaborative projects) within six months after the exchange to sustain the momentum of green digital activism.

5. Learning Methods and Materials
The youth exchange will use diverse non‑formal learning methods to ensure active participation and deep reflection:
• Interactive workshops and simulation games: Workshops will introduce concepts such as the energy consumption of data centres, life‑cycle analysis of digital devices and e‑waste management. Simulation games will allow participants to make decisions about data usage or device consumption and see the environmental consequences.
• Digital footprint self‑assessment: Participants will complete personal audits using online footprint calculators from trusted organisations (e.g., tools promoted by the European Climate Pact) and discuss results in small groups.
• Debates, role‑plays and world café: Debates and role‑plays will explore ethical dilemmas and stakeholder perspectives. World‑café sessions will encourage sharing of experiences and ideas across cultures.
• Creative expression and activism: participants will develop creative videos that convey key messages about digital sustainability. They will also learn how to run a social media campaign responsibly.
• Digital detox and mindful technology use: A “digital detox challenge” will be organised to reflect on online habits and discover alternative, low‑carbon leisure activities. Participants will keep a diary of their screen time and mood, facilitating discussion about well‑being and sustainable use of technology.
• Peer‑to‑peer learning and project planning: Participants will exchange tips for prolonging device lifetimes, recycling programmes and sustainable apps from their countries. They will work in teams to plan the advocacy campaign and follow‑up activities.

6. Expected Impact and Follow‑Up
The project is expected to foster lasting behavioural change and awareness among participants and their communities. At the individual level, participants will gain a clearer understanding of the environmental cost of their digital activities and will adopt more sustainable habits. The collective advocacy campaigns created during the exchange should reach a wider audience and inspire peers to rethink their digital practices. The international network established will enable ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange, supporting long‑term initiatives on green digitalisation.
Follow‑up will involve participants implementing their personal action plans and reporting their progress to the group via online meetings. Partner organisations will host local dissemination events, such as workshops in schools or youth clubs, where participants share what they learned. The network will organise periodic online gatherings to track the impact of the advocacy campaigns, exchange resources and support new collaborations. By integrating the experience into future projects and encouraging youth workers to replicate the activities, the exchange will contribute to the broader Erasmus+ priorities of environmental sustainability, digital transformation and youth empowerment.