The tech, media, and telecoms sectors are at the forefront of the digital age, driving incredible advancements.

However, with these advancements comes significant pressure to become more sustainable and one of the biggest challenges for companies in these sectors is energy consumption.

Data centres, which are integral to tech and media operations, consume vast amounts of energy, and with growing demand for services, this consumption is only increasing(1). The energy required for everything from cloud storage to streaming services poses environmental concerns, especially as the UK aims to reduce its carbon footprint and meet net zero targets by 2050.

Another challenge is the electronic waste (e-waste) problem. As technology advances rapidly, devices and equipment are discarded at an alarming rate, creating environmental harm.

In the UK, regulations like WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive are pushing businesses to take responsibility for the disposal and recycling of electronic waste(2). While these regulations provide a framework for managing e-waste, the scale of the issue in the tech sector remains daunting.

For telecoms, network infrastructure poses its own sustainability issues. The construction and maintenance of mobile towers, cables, and fibre-optic networks are resource-intensive processes. Plus, there’s the challenge of reducing the carbon footprint of the energy-intensive transmission networks that keep data flowing(3).

The rapid pace of digital transformation in these industries also makes it difficult for companies to keep up with evolving compliance regulations. The UK’s push for sustainable practices-through initiatives like the Climate Change Act(4) and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)(5)-increasingly impacts tech companies.

These businesses will need to adapt to keep pace with regulations that affect everything from energy consumption to waste management and the ethical sourcing of materials.

Despite these challenges, the push for more sustainable practices is also opening up exciting opportunities for innovation and growth. The key for companies will be finding creative solutions that balance technological advancement with environmental responsibility.

Bibliography

1 Data centre power use 'to surge six-fold in 10 years' (Accessed May 2025) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-68664182

2 Regulations: Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) (Accessed May 2025) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/regulations-waste-electrical-and-electronic-equipment

3 The Environmental Impact of Telecoms in the UK (Accessed 2025) https://www.deepbluetelecom.co.uk/2024/01/24/the-environmental-impact-of-telecoms/

4 Climate Change Act 2008 (Accessed May 2025) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/27/contents

5 Extended producer responsibility for packaging: who is affected and what to do (Accessed May 2025) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/extended-producer-responsibility-for-packaging-who-is-affected-and-what-to-do