Driving sustainability in digital and tech: The launch of the Carbon Literacy Toolkit

Last week, we attended the launch event for the Digital and Tech Sector Carbon Literacy Toolkit, hosted by our friends at AutoTrader. Our team has been working with the Carbon Literacy Project, and a number of other North West organisations including Auto Trader, Manchester Digital, Mony Group Littlefish and GlobalLogic UK&I, to design the toolkit for the Digital and Tech sector.

This event marked a step forward in bringing sustainability to the forefront of an industry that doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves when it comes to climate action. When people think about the the Digital and Tech sector, sustainability might not be the first thing that comes to mind, yet, it holds immense potential to lead the charge against climate change.

The Carbon Literacy Project has already been making waves across industries, from education to healthcare, equipping organisations with the knowledge and tools to understand the carbon cost of everyday actions and reduce their emissions. This new toolkit, specifically tailored to the digital and tech sector, builds on that work.

As a company, we’re proud to have been part of the working group that helped shape this toolkit, collaborating alongside other leading UK technology businesses. It’s exciting to see how this resource will empower organisations to take meaningful action, from building awareness to implementing practical solutions.

The event featured an inspiring talk by Alex Beasley, Patagonia’s Regional Manager for Northern Europe, whose approach to sustainability left a lasting impression. Their philosophy of being a “responsible” company rather than a “sustainable” one resonated deeply. As Alex put it, Patagonia doesn't claim to "meet today’s needs without compromising tomorrow", but what they do, is take ownership of their impact and work relentlessly to improve. Something we can all do better at.

This ethos aligns with what we’re striving for at Nexer Digital. Our team has made significant strides in technical development best practices, but we know there’s always more to do. Our service design team is already focused on creating planet-centred services, helping our clients achieve their sustainability goals more efficiently while reducing their environmental footprint.

Alex reminded us of the proverb "If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together" which speaks to achieving quick results by working individually. It is, and always will be, our approach to work together with our teams, clients and community to work in the open and collaborate on things that we care about. That is after all, how we'll make a larger impact and work towards a more responsible future.

One of the key takeaways from the event was the critical role of carbon education. For example, did you know that the storage of our everyday data (like photos and videos) contributes more to carbon emissions than streaming YouTube or sending WhatsApp messages? Awareness of these hidden impacts is essential to driving change.

The toolkit we’ve helped create will be instrumental in providing organisations with the knowledge and motivation to act. And we’re not just talking the talk. The first training session for the digital and tech sector takes place on February 20th, and we’ll be there to ensure we’re ready to roll this out at Nexer Digital.

Greater Manchester has set an ambitious target: for 15% of its population to be carbon literate. To support this, we’re signing the pledge to train a specific number of people locally. This isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. It’s a public commitment that we’ll proudly share on our website, and bring into conversations to encourage other organisations to do the same.

Small actions can create big ripples. At the event, we heard about a junior procurement team member in the arts sector who secured funding to make their team carbon literate. That single step snowballed, bringing organisations like HOME in Manchester and Auto Trader into the fold. Without that single person's actions, we wouldn't have been sitting in the room on Thursday launching the toolkit at Auto Trader. It’s a powerful reminder that collective action starts with individuals taking the first step.

The journey to sustainability isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. The launch of this toolkit is a testament to what’s possible when industries come together to tackle a shared challenge. 

At Nexer Digital, we’re committed to going far, partnering with our clients and peers to create a better, more responsible future for our planet.

If you’d like to learn more about the Carbon Literacy Project or discuss how we can support your organisation’s sustainability goals, get in touch. Together, we can make a difference.