While more and more companies in the financial sector, particularly those in asset management, are integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into their strategy, one aspect that is often overlooked is the design and operation of their websites. And yet, at a time when digital technology occupies a central place in the daily activities of companies, the web is far from immaterial, and has a very real environmental impact. In the asset management sector, which is increasingly concerned about its carbon footprint, it is essential to adopt an eco-responsible approach in the digital sphere too.

A committed sector, but lagging behind on the digital front

Asset management companies are ahead of the game when it comes to sustainable finance. Integrating ESG criteria into their investment strategies is now the norm. These companies are also setting ambitious targets for reducing their own carbon footprint, whether through emissions offsetting, waste reduction or travel optimization. However, in this context of sustainable transformation, their digital tools, and in particular their websites, are often not aligned with these eco-responsible initiatives.

Yet running a website also generates significant CO2 emissions. According toADEME, the digital sector accounts for around 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a figure that could double by 2025 if no action is taken. Every visit to a website, every interaction with a digital application, every request to a server consumes energy and contributes to this carbon footprint. For asset management companies, whose websites can be highly trafficked, this translates into a significant impact.

A website, a hidden carbon footprint

Data centers, which store information and digital content, operate continuously and consume large amounts of energy. Added to this is the consumption of end-user devices (computers, smartphones, tablets) that consult websites. According to Website Carbon Calculator, a web page produces an average of 1.76 grams of CO2 per consultation. While this figure may seem small, it adds up quickly. For an asset management company attracting several thousand visitors a day, this represents annual emissions of up to several tonnes of CO2.

A concrete example: a website that receives around 100,000 visits per month can generate an estimated 211 kilograms of CO2 per year, the equivalent of more than 1,000 kilometers driven by car. These emissions are generally ignored as part of ESG strategies, but they must be taken into account if asset management companies wish to fully integrate the notion of sustainability into their activities.

How can asset management sites be made more sustainable?

There are many practical ways to reduce the carbon footprint of websites. For asset management companies, these actions can both demonstrate their commitment to responsible finance and offer a more ethical experience to their customers and partners. Here are a few measures to adopt:

1. Optimize digital resources: Large files, such as high-definition images, videos and downloadable documents, considerably increase the amount of data transferred. Reducing the size of multimedia files while maintaining good visual quality helps to limit the energy required to load pages. The use of compressed formats such as WebP for images or MP4 for videos is recommended.
2. Limit superfluous functionalities: A streamlined website, with a simple architecture, not only enhances the user experience, but also reduces energy consumption. Animations, heavy scripting and unnecessary functionality should be kept to a minimum. Simplicity is the key to optimizing the site’s efficiency and, consequently, its environmental impact.
3. Choose a green hosting provider: Not all servers are created equal in terms of energy consumption. An increasing number of web hosting providers, such as Infomaniak and OVH, offer infrastructures powered by renewable energies. Opting for eco-responsible hosting is an essential step in reducing the emissions associated with data management.
4. Improve loading times: Website speed is a key factor in both performance and ecology. A fast site consumes fewer resources. By optimizing code, reducing server requests and activating caching tools, a management company can significantly reduce the energy impact of its site while improving the user experience.
5. Limit the number of pages and downloads: Offering quality content without unnecessarily overloading the site is another way of helping to reduce emissions. For example, avoiding massive downloads of financial reports or studies, or encouraging lightweight digital versions, helps reduce bandwidth consumption.
6. Follow a sustainable design approach: By integrating digital sobriety criteria into site development from the outset, asset management companies can avoid having to retroactively optimize their platforms. This means, among other things, using tools to measure the digital carbon footprint and following standards such as the eco-design of digital services.

SAND’s commitment to offsetting its carbon footprint

In this eco-responsible approach, some web agencies stand out for their commitment. Such is the case of SAND, an agency specializing in communications for financial professionals, including asset management companies. Aware of the environmental impact of digital technology, SAND has chosen to integrate an ethical and sustainable approach into its services. For each website created, the SAND agency offsets the CO2 emissions generated by making a donation to various organizations that plant trees around the world.

By taking part in reforestation projects in various countries, these organizations enable companies like SAND to contribute to carbon offsetting. The trees planted absorb part of the emissions, while having a positive impact on local biodiversity and communities. It’s a strong commitment that testifies to the agency’s desire to adopt a sustainable approach, not only for itself, but also for its customers.

A key challenge for responsible finance

For asset management companies, incorporating ESG criteria into their investments is no longer enough. Sustainability must permeate all corporate activities, including their digital footprint. Creating eco-responsible websites is not only a question of consistency, but also an opportunity for innovation and leadership in the sector.

Reducing the environmental impact of digital platforms is possible, and solutions exist to enable the asset management sector to actively contribute to the ecological transition, while reinforcing its image with customers and investors.