What Is the Sustainable Web Manifesto

What Is the Sustainable Web Manifesto?

The internet is great, don’t you think? We stream, shop, communicate, and learn—all at the click of a button. But while we’re browsing away, there’s an environmental cost ticking away in the background. Every click is another tick, another few grams of CO2 into the atmosphere. Think of all of those clicks you make every day – half a dozen news articles, flicking through Instagram, a quick Google to just check we haven’t made this up (yes, I know you’ve just done it – it’s still true though!). Every one of those is another couple of grams of CO2.

The Sustainable Web Manifesto (This is so important to us we didn’t even include any jokes!)

The Sustainable Web Manifesto is a commitment—a promise made by designers, developers, and companies who care about the planet. It’s about acknowledging that the internet, for all its benefits, has a carbon footprint. Websites, apps, pretty much anything digital all require energy to function. And that energy, unless it’s renewable, contributes to carbon emissions.

The Manifesto outlines six principles aimed at creating a web that’s not only good for users but also kinder to our environment. These principles are:

Clean: The services we provide and the websites we build should not harm the planet.
Efficient: We should use the least amount of energy and resources necessary.
Open: The internet should be accessible to all and built with an open-source ethos.
Honest: We should be transparent about the environmental impact of our work.
Regenerative: We should work to improve the environment, not just sustain it.
Resilient: We should build systems that can withstand and adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Why Does It Matter?

The digital world may seem intangible, but it has a very real impact on the environment. Data centres, which store all the information we access online, consume vast amounts of electricity. And when that electricity comes from non-renewable sources, we’re contributing to global warming, one click at a time.

By following the Sustainable Web Manifesto, we can help reduce this impact. It’s about more than just energy efficiency—it’s a holistic approach to creating a web that benefits people and the planet. It’s about using resources wisely, being transparent about our choices, and always striving to do better.

Why It’s Important to Us

At Poppy Eco Hub we believe in building a better future—both online and offline. The Sustainable Web Manifesto aligns perfectly with our values. Here’s why it’s important to us:

Responsibility: We recognise that every website we create has an impact. By adhering to the principles of the Manifesto, we take responsibility for ensuring that impact is as positive as possible.
Innovation: The Manifesto challenges us to think creatively about how we design and develop. It pushes us to find new ways to reduce energy consumption, improve efficiency, and make the web more sustainable.
Transparency: We believe in being honest with our clients and users. By committing to the Manifesto, we’re transparent about our efforts to reduce the environmental impact of our work.
Future-Proofing: The web is constantly evolving, and so is our planet. By embracing sustainable practices, we’re not just meeting the needs of today—we’re preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.
Community: The Manifesto connects us to a global community of like-minded individuals and organisations. Together, we can share knowledge, collaborate on solutions, and amplify our impact.

How We’re Making a Difference

Our commitment to the Sustainable Web Manifesto is more than just words—it’s something we put into action every day. From optimising our websites for energy efficiency to choosing green hosting providers, we’re always looking for ways to minimise our footprint. And we don’t stop there. We’re also passionate about educating our clients and partners on the importance of sustainability in web design.