Yet as climate impacts intensify and planetary boundaries become increasingly visible, it is time to question this optimistic narrative. Digital technologies are not invisible, weightless, or environmentally neutral. They are built on vast physical infrastructures that consume energy and resources.

They rely on energy-hungry infrastructure, require the extraction of raw materials, and influence how people consume goods and services.

Sustainability cannot be achieved by technology alone. What ultimately determines impact is not the technology itself, but how consciously we use it in our everyday lives.

Green digital behaviour means making mindful digital choices, using devices responsibly, and avoiding unnecessary waste. In a resource-constrained world, the real question is not whether digital tools can support sustainability, but whether our patterns of digital use remain within ecological limits.

WHY IT MATTERS

The climate crisis is not primarily a failure of technology. It is the result of long-standing patterns of overproduction and overconsumption. Digital technologies are part of this pattern.

Every swipe, stream, upload, and upgrade is connected to electricity use, water consumption, and material extraction, even if these links remain out of sight( European Climate Pact, 2025).

In Malaysia, digital use is almost universal. In early 2025, nearly 35 million people were internet users, representing 97.7 per cent of the population. Mobile subscriptions even exceeded the total population— a powerful sign of how deeply embedded digital life has become in society( DataReportal, 2025).

Even as governments and companies prioritise infrastructure and policy, individual behaviour remains crucial.

Efficiency gains from smarter technologies can quickly be erased if overall digital consumption continues to expand without restraint. Sustainability depends not only on

ANIS NAJIHA AHMAD

HARUNA BABATUNDE JAIYEOBA

International Institute for Halal Research and Training( INHART) and International Islamic University Malaysia( IIUM)

better technology but also on more mindful habits.

EXTENDING DEVICE LIFESPANS

Before considering how we use digital devices, we should remember how they are made. Every smartphone, laptop, and tablet requires mining, manufacturing, and transportation.

Behind every sleek device lies a chain of extraction and production that carries environmental and social costs often hidden from users.

Many materials used in digital devices, such as cobalt for batteries, are mined in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mining activities are often linked to environmental damage and unsafe working conditions.

Frequent upgrades, driven more by marketing than necessity, intensify pressure on ecosystems and vulnerable communities.

Keeping devices longer reduces resource extraction and electronic waste( European Climate Pact, 2025). Repairing devices and avoiding unnecessary upgrades are practical environmental actions.

Replacing a functioning device for marginal improvements may feel harmless, but collectively, it accelerates environmental degradation. In this context, progress means extending product life, not constantly buying new models.

DIGITAL MODERATION

The way we use our devices also affects the environment. Digital energy use is often linked to data centres, but individual habits

also increase electricity demand( European Climate Pact, 2025).

Devices left charging for long periods, high screen brightness, and multiple background applications all increase energy use.

Green digital responsibility begins with simple, everyday adjustments. Turning off devices when not in use, reducing screen brightness, and enabling energy-saving settings can lower energy demand.

These actions may seem minor, but when practised collectively, they translate into meaningful reductions in energy consumption.

DATA CONSUMPTION

Digital services, especially those that rely on large amounts of data, also carry environmental costs. Streaming, cloud storage, and constant online engagement require energy through networks and servers.

Data feels intangible, but it is powered by physical infrastructure that consumes electricity and requires cooling systems. More responsible behaviour includes moderating data use.

Choosing lower streaming resolution when high definition is unnecessary, disabling autoplay, and switching to audio when video is not needed can reduce emissions without reducing content value.

Research estimates that one hour of high-definition streaming can generate approximately 0.036 – 1.00 kg of CO₂, depending on network and device efficiency( Misyk, 2025).

When scaled across millions of users, seemingly small decisions can significantly reduce