Sustainability isn’t limited to large organisations.
You could be forgiven for wondering why an SEO consultant would publish a sustainability policy. However, I believe we can all play a part in creating a more sustainable world. In 2024, I reviewed my approach to the use of resources that have an undeniable impact on the environment. This policy covers the decisions I made and the sustainable efforts I make during my working day.
SEO consulting uses resources that sustainability efforts can be applied to.
You don’t need to be a manufacturing facility or large company to make a difference when it comes to sustainability. Even an SEO consultant can review the resources they use. Applying a sustainable mindset to how I work can yield results that, however small, add up and contribute to a better planet for everyone.
3.31 tonnes
of CO2e saved on car travel
This is the minimum I’m saving by not traveling to clients by car (it was my most used method). It is based on 12,000 miles p.a. but I exceeded 20,000 miles p.a. in some years.
1.71 tonnes
of CO2e saved on air/rail
Air travel contributed 1.42 tonnes of CO2e p.a., with rail savings of 0.29 tonnes. Again, as with car travel, these are the minimum reductions made through no travel.
Green energy
moved to renewables
Energy is a difficult sector to calculate reductions on for a single property, but I moved to Ecotricity. With 100% green renewable energy provision, they won Which? Eco Provider Award in 2024.
Power savings
impacted sustainability
I changed my approach to items such as monitors, laptops, tablets and mobile devices in addition to other electrical items used in my office. I’ve provided more information on this page.
“I hadn’t really considered my own carbon footprint from a workplace perspective until early 2024. Reading about the number of companies pursuing B Corp certification inspired me to explore what I could do.
I set about assessing my working carbon footprint and areas in which I could make changes in respect of sustainability. What I discovered was a major surprise. The seemingly smallest of resources soon mounted up.
Travel was a significant element. I made an immediate decision not to travel to clients. I deliver all my SEO services remotely. The rise of high quality video meetings has eradicated the need for travel to meetings in most instances. My clients remain happy and it has helped their own sustainability efforts too.
What I’ve done won’t save the planet, but it is my own tiny contribution and, as in the world of SEO, the end result is the culmination of many changes.”
Chris Shaw
SEO & CRO Consultant
Can you address computer use to help sustainability?
SEO has an obvious power use – electrical devices. I use more than one computer and several other tech devices. I assessed how much power I could save without compromising my work.
Power sustainability. Did I need to use multiple monitors during SEO work?
Modern devices are efficient in power use, particular since sustainability came into the spotlight, but do we use their technology sufficiently?
I was surprised to see how much CO2e and electricity I could save by utilising various power-saving methods built into my Apple computers. They’re new computers and remarkably efficient, but I wasn’t using the power saving features anything like as much as I should have been.
I used several monitors in addition to my Mac, but I didn’t need to have all of them switched on. I calculated that approximately 80% of my work could be done with 2 monitors switched off. It didn’t save a great deal of CO2e, but it was still 1 Kg per annum. However, when added to the other power saving measures this reached 4.5 Kg.
I checked the sustainability policies of all those whose systems I subscribe to for SEO & CRO work. At least half of them disappointed me, but others surprised me with their efforts. I dropped one supplier completely and changed to an alternative supplier that treated sustainability more seriously.
Sustainable Software
Checking the supply chain
My website is hosted by Fasthosts on green IT infrastructure. It is within their “green cloud” and uses 100% renewable electricity. They use HVO biofuel for back-up generators too, as opposed to diesel. They achieved ISO50001 status for their energy management and you can read of their sustainability efforts here.
Sustainable Hosting
Checking your website host
I now take a more responsible approach to what happens to old cables, computers, electronics or waste of any kind. While I don’t generate much office waste, I make efforts to keep it to a minimum. I even bought a non-wax-coated wall planner because wax-coated versions couldn’t be recycled.
Waste Reduction & Recycling
From technology to boxes
Future sustainability plans and policies
My sustainability efforts aren’t a one-off. I have plans for future changes and my overall sustainability will be reviewed each year.
Recycled office furniture
When my office furniture, from desks to chairs, requires changing, I’ll look to recycled furniture instead of immediately opting to buy new. If that isn’t possible, I now assess any supplier purchases for sustainable production processes.
Plants and planting
Apart from adding plants to my home office, I shall be planting more greenery that I look onto from my office window. I’m not doing it for the view. I’m doing it for the carbon offset benefits, tiny though they may be in my case.
Motion sensor office lighting
I already switch my office lights off as much as possible and I’ll be using them far less in the summer months. However, motion sensors are part of my plan to ensure they automatically switch off when I’m not in the office.
Phantom power elimination
Phantom power is electricity used when devices are left plugged in but switched off. It creates a huge amount of wasted energy globally. I plan to install a single switch in the office that will disconnect the electricity to all office sockets.
Finally, speaking of sustainability, contact me about achieving and sustaining the ranking positions you want.
I work with companies in all sectors and can help you achieve and sustain the Google visibility your business needs. There are very few platforms I can’t work on and deliver ranking success. I offer a free, no obligation, initial video meeting to discuss how I might be able to assist you grow your visitors and conversions.