how we created a greener website
Our website was intentionally designed to use less energy and produce fewer carbon emissions per view. The average web page produces around 0.80 g CO₂ equivalent per page view. That means a site with 10,000 monthly views emits around 102 kg of CO₂e per year, the same amount of carbon 11 trees absorb annually.
Internet use already accounts for 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a figure expected to double by 2025.
These alarming numbers inspired our founder to build a website that leaves a lighter digital footprint. By keeping things simple and efficient, we reduced our emissions without making the site harder to navigate.
HOW WE DID IT:
system fonts
Our website uses just one system font: Arial. Did you know that even fonts consume energy? Custom fonts are stored on servers, and every time a site loads, it sends a request to those servers, which need a lot of power to run. Using system fonts eliminates that extra step, reducing energy use.
images
Apart from our logo, our website is fully typography-based. Our work doesn’t require much imagery. We’re not selling physical products, after all. So we chose to limit visuals to just our logo: white in the header, and in colour as a favicon (that tiny icon in your browser tab). It’s a simple choice that helps cut energy use without compromising identity.
layout
We chose a one-page layout. Everything you need is right there in the homepage, on a single scroll. That means visitors can access the info they’re looking for quickly, reducing page loads and eliminating unnecessary content.
colour scheme
When we first launched the site, we used our usual green brand colour on a light background. A few months later, we switched to dark mode. On supported devices, darker websites consume less energy. This shift also improves accessibility for users who find darker interfaces easier on the eyes.
hosting
Our website was designed by our founder using Wix, partly because she was already familiar with the platform, but mostly because it is powered by renewable energy. While Jeanelle isn't a web designer, she wanted to create something simple, accessible, and sustainable. She wanted to reinforce the idea that anyone can make low-impact choices, no matter their background.
According to the Website Carbon Calculator, sustainabilitytranslators.com has a B rating and emits just 0.28 g of CO₂ per view. In the near future, we hope to bring that number down even more.
We've already inspired a couple of people to create their own low-impact website, and we hope to keep inspiring others, as part of our mission to build a community for positive change.
SOURCES
learn more
Want to know more or get tips on creating a low-impact website? Drop us an email. We’d love to share insights and help others who are inspired to make the same change.