The smartphone industry has a significant impact on the environment at various levels, from the manufacturing process of the devices to their use and disposal. According to a study conducted in 2020 by the French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management (ADEME), the average carbon footprint of a smartphone is around 14 kg equivalent CO2. Reducing the carbon footprint of smartphones is therefore an important issue, but are there responsible solutions?
The ethical and responsible smartphone
The carbon footprint of a smartphone is quite alarming. But even before this finding, Dutch engineer Bas van Abel had already been interested in the production process of a smartphone and how he could make it more ethical and sustainable. And that was in 2010!
In 2013, the first ethical and sustainable mobile phone, the Fairphone 1, was launched. Today, the company sells its 4th model and continues its commitment through awareness-raising actions on the need for more responsible electronic production.
To ensure its commitment, the company mobilizes strong players:
– Fair Cobalt Alliance to ensure that materials used are extracted responsibly and ethically.
– NGOs such as Amnesty International and the Coalition for Digital Rights to ensure that workers’ rights are respected throughout the supply chain.
– Greenpeace to encourage more sustainable electronic production.
To make it short, Fairphone is one of the pioneering companies in Responsible Digital, recognized through numerous awards, including the EU Sustainable Development Award in 2018.
A difficult mission that they have been leading for over 10 years, Fairphone recently raised €49 million and still believes in its eco-responsible model!
What about you, what smartphone would you adopt?
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The smartphone industry has a significant impact on the environment at various levels, from the manufacturing process of the devices to their use and disposal. According to a study conducted in 2020 by the French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management (ADEME), the average carbon footprint of a smartphone is around 14 kg equivalent CO2. Reducing the carbon footprint of smartphones is therefore an important issue, but are there responsible solutions?
The ethical and responsible smartphone
The carbon footprint of a smartphone is quite alarming. But even before this finding, Dutch engineer Bas van Abel had already been interested in the production process of a smartphone and how he could make it more ethical and sustainable. And that was in 2010!
In 2013, the first ethical and sustainable mobile phone, the Fairphone 1, was launched. Today, the company sells its 4th model and continues its commitment through awareness-raising actions on the need for more responsible electronic production.
To ensure its commitment, the company mobilizes strong players:
– Fair Cobalt Alliance to ensure that materials used are extracted responsibly and ethically.
– NGOs such as Amnesty International and the Coalition for Digital Rights to ensure that workers’ rights are respected throughout the supply chain.
– Greenpeace to encourage more sustainable electronic production.
To make it short, Fairphone is one of the pioneering companies in Responsible Digital, recognized through numerous awards, including the EU Sustainable Development Award in 2018.
A difficult mission that they have been leading for over 10 years, Fairphone recently raised €49 million and still believes in its eco-responsible model!
What about you, what smartphone would you adopt?
