Committed to sustainability, François Polarczyk works to reduce the environmental impact of the video streaming industry. With a background in psychology, HR, and operations, François has been at the forefront of addressing environmental challenges, enhancing collaboration, and promoting transparency in sustainability reporting. His journey provides valuable guidance for sustainability managers navigating this rapidly changing sector.

The Complex Challenges of Environmental Data

François Polarczyk sheds light on the complex challenges of accessing and standardizing environmental data in video streaming. He emphasizes the difficulties in getting everyone on the same page regarding models and metrics, especially for environmental impacts. This challenge is critical because accurate data is essential for measuring progress and implementing effective sustainability strategies.

François states, "In terms of challenges, getting everyone to agree on different models and data, accessing that data is difficult, especially when it comes to environmental data. So, I'm isolating the environment here because I think it's one of the most pressing issues in sustainability and it's the most tangible one when it comes to video streaming. There are more aspects to it, like the social aspect and sustainable storytelling, but on the environmental part, it's difficult. You touched upon the fact that a lot of the energy consumption happens on the device, which is fairly easy to measure with a power meter, but for the rest of the supply chain, getting the right metrics and data is challenging."

Recent research backs up François's point. The International Energy Agency (IEA) highlights the complexity of tracking energy use across various stages of digital service delivery. The IEA report estimates that data centers accounted for about 2% of global electricity use in 2022, and their energy consumption is expected to increase with the growing demand for digital services. Inconsistencies in data from cloud vendors make accurate carbon footprint tracking even harder, reflecting Francois's experience with different carbon calculators from major providers. This inconsistency can lead to challenges in implementing effective environmental management practices across the industry.

The Imperative of Viewer Education and Collaboration

Educating viewers about the environmental impact of streaming is crucial, yet it remains a significant challenge. François emphasizes the need for better awareness among viewers and the industry's broader community about the energy consumption associated with video streaming. This education is vital because informed viewers can make more sustainable choices and support the industry's sustainability efforts.

François explains,"As a viewer, this is not something that you would think about straight away. I talked about the research earlier. We have done research on video streaming in general in December last year. And I think around 30 to 35% of the people surveyed are all across the globe. There was a higher number for younger generations, but people would be prioritizing a sustainable video platform. But the question is what sustainable video platforms and what's the impact? And I think people have very little knowledge. And when I talk to not even partners, people of the industry, but even friends or family, people don't really understand that watching Netflix has an impact on energy consumption."

This lack of awareness is supported by a study from the Shift Project, which found that video streaming accounted for over 300 million tons of CO2 emissions globally in 2018. A more recent study in 2021 by Nature Communications found that global data transmission and data center activities account for approximately 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions. François also highlights the need for global cooperation, especially in areas like North America where regulations are less strict. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) provides a framework for companies to set emission reduction targets, underscoring the need for collaboration that Francois emphasizes. Increased collaboration can help standardize sustainability practices and improve overall industry performance.

Opportunities and Pathways to Sustainable Streaming

François is optimistic about the future, particularly with the help of automated sustainability reporting and corporate sustainability software. He recommends starting with basic audits and gradually building comprehensive sustainability reports, even for small companies. This approach ensures that companies can systematically address sustainability issues and track their progress over time.

François states,"To get started with sustainability, look at various audits typically asked of companies and businesses. And as I said earlier, you have to skim a little bit through, look through the noise, and see what matters for your organization. I think those types of data will quickly start making sense to you. Things like, of course, measuring your carbon emissions, that totally makes sense. There are ways so that if you're a very small company, you can use some free carbon calculators. I think Google has a government calculator for SMEs, which is quite good. But these audits, like Ecovadis, can be very useful. Trying to build your own sustainability reports as well is a good way of structuring why you want to talk about sustainability. What's your journey? What is the first data that you managed to gather? Be a bit more public about your operations, and consider things that you might not have thought about before, like gender diversity within your company, and look at this data."

This practical approach aligns with a 2021 McKinsey & Company report, which found that companies with strong sustainability practices tend to perform better financially. The report states that companies with high ESG scores have outperformed their peers in the stock market by 2.5% to 3% annually over the past five years. Using decarbonization software and CO2 reduction platforms can simplify data collection and reporting, making it easier for companies to meet regulatory requirements and reduce their environmental impact. These tools enable businesses to integrate sustainability into their core operations, leading to long-term benefits and resilience.

Conclusion

François Polarczyk's insights offer a valuable roadmap for sustainability managers in the video streaming industry. His focus on the challenges of data standardization, the need for viewer education, and the potential of collaboration and advanced software solutions highlights a comprehensive approach to achieving sustainability. By embracing intelligent sustainability software and fostering global cooperation, the industry can make significant progress in reducing its environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices. The insights and strategies shared by François provide a clear path for sustainability managers to follow, ensuring that the video streaming industry can thrive sustainably in the years to come.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of any company.