Responsible digital technology: a key lever for our Climate ambitions

Monday, 3 october 2022

Groupe BPCE aims to reduce its direct environmental footprint by 15% by 2024 (versus 2019). Digital technology has a major contribution to make.

It is clear that our use of digital technology has increased in recent years in step with the digital transformation of our business lines. But the greater use of this technology is not without consequences for the planet, far from it!

For the past two years, a Responsible Digital Technology function has been built up around experts from the Group’s IT and CSR communities. Several action areas have been identified to reduce the carbon footprint generated by digital technology: developing more economical applications, extending the useful life of equipment, managing IT assets, improving the energy efficiency of data centers, and raising the awareness of all Group employees about eco-responsible actions.

Actions already taken have produced positive, concrete results.
For example, extending the lifespan of PCs from three to four years has made it possible to reduce their carbon footprint by 25%. Similarly, the carbon score of IT assets has been included in all reference systems to ensure that account is taken of this metric in all uses. Employee training remains a priority, and a range of courses is now available to firmly establish eco-actions in each business line. The Banques Populaires and Caisses d’Epargne can also count on dedicated support systems to optimize their own carbon footprints. Lastly, adapted hardware and software solutions are also being rolled out for employees with disabilities.

We are all players in the transition to a Responsible Digital Environment!