Using technology sustainably – how charities can support digital inclusion

Technology can have an important role in helping organisations to become more sustainable, but alongside the opportunities there are also challenges to navigate. 

One example is the use of digital technology to engage with new and existing audiences. On the one hand, communicating via email, online meetings and webinars instead of face-to-face, could help organisations to reach certain audiences more effectively, while also minimising the time, costs and carbon impact associated with travelling or hosting events. 

However, at the same time the use of digital technology can also lead to challenges and internal conflict. Many organisations who operate internationally have understandable concerns about how to balance the desire to reduce emissions from road or air travel, while at the same time remaining close to the communities they serve. In addition, communicating digitally has its own carbon impact. Increased internet usage puts extra strain on data centres, which rely on electricity largely generated by fossil fuels. Sending emails with bulky attachments, or storing lots of data on cloud storage systems, ultimately has an impact on carbon emissions. The World Economic Forum says that sending 65 emails produces emissions equivalent to driving a car for half a mile. See the WEF’s guide to reducing your digital carbon footprint.

There is another dilemma too. If sustainability is partly about ensuring we can continue to meet the future needs of people and communities, then the more we communicate digitally, the more we risk leaving behind those with poor digital literacy, or those who don’t have a computer, smartphone or reliable internet access. 

According to the most recent Census, in 2020 more than 6% of UK adults had never used the internet. Internet usage is even lower among certain groups, including people with disabilities.

Below are examples of how organisations working in, or alongside the voluntary sector, have tried to  address some of these challenges.

1. Hubbub

In partnership with Virgin Media O2, Hubbub established the Tech Lending Community Fund, which has provided laptops and data to charities who work with vulnerable groups, including survivors of domestic abuse, refugees, asylum seekers, and those at risk of homelessness. This can enable people to connect with critical services that they would otherwise struggle to access - for example medical appointments, or job applications. As we have considered in a previous article looking at sustainability in our physical environment, reusing or repairing existing items rather than buying or producing new can have a positive impact on sustainability. Through its partnership with Virgin Media O2, Hubbub has also been able to repurpose thousands of laptops that were no longer being used and donate them to charities. 

2. CAST

The Centre for Acceleration of Social Technology (CAST) is a charity that works with non-profit organisations to help them better understand how to develop online services, and how to embed digital approaches into their strategy and governance. CAST runs a number of programmes each year, including: 
• Coffee Connections – a networking event showcasing best practice digital solutions from organisations in the voluntary sector
• Design Hops – a free course where charities can learn step-by-step methods for designing online services. 
Find out more about Design Hops and CAST’s other programmes and activities.

3. Integrate UK

Integrate UK is a Bristol-based charity that aims to empower young people to transform society. The charity was aware of the challenge of digital inclusivity when it transitioned from an organisation offering workshops and other communications entirely in-person to an online operation. Some of the young people the charity works with do not have access to the internet or computer equipment. Integrate UK secured 17 digital kits to help ensure those young people could engage with its online services, which include weekly pastoral calls, online tutoring and creative workshops. 

4.Digital software

A number of organisations provide free or discounted software to charities and voluntary organisations, which can help support their financial sustainability. 

Benchmark provides a number of free software packages for charities, including accounts and payroll, and customer relationship management. Demos of each of these pieces of software can be downloaded directly from the Benchmark website.

The Document Foundation, created by a group of free software advocates, provides LibreOffice (commonly known as OpenOffice) a package of software offering word processing, spreadsheets, slideshows and other resources.

Charity Digital has helped more than 38,000 charities to save money on software. Charity Digital partners with leading software providers to source free or discounted software, such as accounting, payroll and antivirus software.

Our sustainability series

Our desire to be a responsible and impactful business. This article series, focusing on different aspects of sustainability,  reflects Zurich's purpose - create a brighter future together - and desire to partner with others to drive transformative change, so we can all thrive today and in the future    

Read the entire series:

• Sustainability and the role of the voluntary sector
• Supporting organisations to become financially sustainable
• Legal resources to help organisations operate sustainably
• Putting people at the heart of your sustainability strategy
• Strategy, planning and sustainability in the voluntary sector
• Repair and reuse

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