Digital technologies are profoundly transforming the way we teach and learn. But what is their environmental impact? And how can we harness their potential while reducing energy consumption, emissions, and resource use?
These questions are at the heart of GreenDiLT – Green Digital Learning and Teaching, a three-year Erasmus+ project (2023–2026) dedicated to assessing and reducing the environmental impact of digital technologies used in education.
At a time when sustainability, the energy transition, and digital transformation have become strategic priorities for universities, GreenDiLT promotes a more conscious approach to digital technology by providing the academic community with knowledge, tools, and practical solutions.
A European collaboration
GreenDiLT brings together five leading European institutions:
- Arts et Métiers – France, project coordinator
- Politecnico di Milano – Italy
- TU Delft – The Netherlands
- AgroParisTech – France
- École des Ponts ParisTech – France
Together, the GreenDiLT partners have investigated the environmental impact of digital education and developed practical tools to help students, educators, university staff, and institutions make more sustainable digital choices.
From research to action: the GreenDiLT tools
Measuring the environmental impact of teaching and learning
A Life Cycle Assessment study compares the environmental footprint of different teaching and learning modes – traditional, hybrid, and virtual – from a life cycle perspective.
Uncovering the hidden footprint of our digital habits
The Digital Carbon Footprint Calculator enables users to explore the environmental impact associated with everyday digital activities and raise awareness of digital habits, both within academia and beyond.
Putting digital sustainability into practice
The GreenDiLT Toolkit brings together resources on digital sustainability, the tools developed within the project, and training and awareness-raising materials for students, educators, technical and administrative staff, and the wider educational community.
Learning through a flexible pathway
A modular “à la carte” training programme provides knowledge, tools, and practical actions to help reduce the environmental impact of digital technologies in education.
Towards digital sufficiency
The white paper “Towards Digital Sufficiency” brings together principles, recommendations, and good practices to encourage more sustainable digital behaviours at both individual and institutional levels.
A more conscious approach to digital technology starts with our choices
GreenDiLT shows that digital transformation and sustainability are not separate paths. Understanding and measuring the impact of the technologies we use, and adopting more responsible practices, can help build more sustainable models of digital teaching and learning.
Additional information available here:
White Paper GreenDiLT
GreenDiLT Toolkit
Would you like to learn more about the GreenDiLT project?
Contacts:
Marta Pinzone – marta.pinzone@polimi.it
Elisa Amodeo – elisa.amodeo@polimi.it
