Environmental declaration
Web Hosting
We choose to host our website on WebTuga servers, committed in sustainability and optimization of energy consumption, reducing CO2 emissions.
Based in Portugal, WebTuga is one of the only two shared hosting for Websites to be listed by the GREEN WEB FOUNDATION’s Directory https://www.thegreenwebfoundation.org
WebTuga services are provided through datacentres that use 100% renewable energy, where every kW of energy used is monitored from the source to the point of consumption and certified with a guarantee of origin by the GreenChain platform using blockchain technology, enabling real-time tracking and the additional guarantee of our environmental responsibility.
https://blog.webtuga.pt/alojamento-web-verde-e-com-a-webtuga/
Eco-design
Ecodesign is a critical approach in creating sustainable, energy-efficient websites. By prioritizing environmental considerations, web designers can reduce the overall carbon footprint of their sites, making them more eco-friendly.
To achieve this, it’s essential to optimize the elements that make up the website. For example, reducing page weight can be accomplished by using SVG format for logos, which are lightweight and scalable without losing quality. Additionally, optimizing JPG files ensures that images are compressed without sacrificing too much visual quality, contributing to faster loading times and less energy consumption.
Furthermore, avoiding the use of large video files and instead compressing them effectively can significantly reduce data usage. This not only improves the user experience but also minimizes the environmental impact of data transfer.
The complexity of the site has also been reduced by limiting content and features to what is truly essential. By avoiding unnecessary elements like infinite scrolling, animations, and carousels, we make the site more straightforward, user-friendly, and eco-conscious. These changes ensure that the website remains functional and enjoyable, without overloading users or the environment.
Eco-design best practices
What is eco-design?
Which good practices you can follow to implement and update your website?
The French association GreenIT published a very useful guide for eco-conception: https://www.ecoindex.fr/en/ecodesign/
You can also assess the environmental impact of any website with their ecoIndex tool: https://www.ecoindex.fr/en/
Mass mailing
Social Media
We have chosen a responsible use of social networks: we do not want to be everywhere but only on relevant channels where we can reach our target audience efficiently. Aware of the ecological impact of streaming, we have not released any videos so far, and we will only do so when they are relevant and effective to have a real impact on our activities.
Office
At ACCENT SUD, we don’t have a physical office. Instead, we all work remotely, collaborating with each other and our partners online. Whenever possible, we prioritize phone calls and instant messaging over video calls.
Travels
We only travel when absolutely necessary and when required by the obligations of the projects we manage. So far, our travels have been strictly within the contractual and regulatory framework of consortium meetings for European co-funded projects, as well as related public events. When travel is unavoidable, we prioritize trains and car-sharing. We only use cars or planes if no other alternatives are available.
Finance
We recognize the impact finance can have on environmental and social sustainability. Currently, we hold an online bank account with Anytime, a subsidiary of Orange Bank. As soon as a more sustainable online banking service, such as GreenGot, becomes available for associations, we plan to make the switch.