Episode 30

How to tackle your tech carbon footprint

We speak to Avril Chester, Chief Technology Officer at RIBA

Logging onto Zoom calls and relaxing in front of Netflix is part of our everyday lives. So we were shocked to learn that almost 4 per cent of all carbon emissions are from digital technologies, according to a 2019 study by the Paris-based think tank The Shift Project. A one-hour video call between two people in London generates the same carbon impact as travelling 10km by train. This #EarthDay we wanted to find out how leaders can use tech to fight climate change.

We chatted to Avril Chester, an award-winning technology entrepreneur, Chief Technology Officer at RIBA (and founder of Cancer Central.) Avril tells us about the work she is leading at RIBA to tackle the carbon impact of technology and their Tech Carbon Impact Wiki, as well as how other organisations can start this journey. She also discusssed her journey as a leader and how leaders can take on imposter syndrome. Avril also movingly shares the lessons she learned from chemotherapy that have shaped her as a leader.

Paul and Zoe round up the latest tech news, including Jacob Rees-Mogg summoning civil servants back to the office and Elon Musk’s designs on Twitter.

Notes and links -

RIBA’s Tech Carbon Impact Wiki
Cancer Central
Jacob Rees-Mogg sending the civil service back to the office (The Guardian)
Alex Thomas’ Twitter thread on civil servants working from home

Email us with your questions and ideas for future episodes startsatthetop@gmail.com

And please leave us a review if you enjoy what you hear!

Editing and production from Syren Studios and Paul Thomas

Music by Joseph McDade https://josephmcdade.com/music