Contentsquare: The Intersection of Tech and Sustainability
Astechnology becomes an integral part of sustainability strategies across companies, governments and organisations, leaders in this space are encountering increasingly complex challenges.
While these challenges encompass familiar issues like energy consumption and emissions, they also extend to areas such as social responsibility.
Contentsquare is reshaping its operations to foster digital experiences that are not only efficient but also accessible, inclusive and sustainable for all stakeholders — customers, employees and the broader industry.
Guilhem Isaac-Georges, Contentsquare’s VP of Impact, shares insights into the intersection of digital transformation and sustainability.
Q. Please introduce yourself.
I’m Guilhem Isaac-Georges, Contentsquare’s VP of Impact. I help set and meet our Greenhouse Gas commitments and chart a science-based path to net zero carbon. I manage all of our Environmental Social Governance (ESG) - related certifications, volunteer pledges, assessor requests and ratings, and work hand-in-hand with our product team to reduce our overall carbon footprint as well the negative impact of Internet activity through sustainable web design.
Previously I served in the cabinet of the French Ministry of Ecological Transition as Political Advisor to the Minister. While there, I spearheaded the French plan for energy sovereignty in the context of the Ukraine crisis, the national framework for responsible advertising and France’s contribution to the EU’s upcoming Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), a new law that sets out sustainability reporting standards.
As for what fuels me - the simple truth is that the digitisation of the economy is not slowing down, and without changes in digital technologies and sustainability practices, it will be impossible to win the climate battle. I’m passionate about developing solutions and strategies that aid with this mission.
Q. What sustainability challenges face the tech industry as the digital transformation accelerates?
Digital activities now contribute up to 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions and the International Energy Agency cites that data centers alone consume 240-340 TWh annually - equivalent to 1% of global electricity demand. User experiences over time have become more complex - requiring more processing power and larger amounts of data transferred through web infrastructure.
Beyond pure energy consumption, the tech industry must also grapple with the compound effect of digital waste - from inefficient code and unnecessary data processing to redundant storage and complex tracking systems. As companies strive to deliver richer digital experiences, they must balance feature-rich applications with environmental responsibility.
While historically, SMB and enterprise leaders have often prioritised other sustainability efforts above digital services - it's clear that this area of business should not be overlooked - and companies should continue to define and execute against their sustainability priorities with these points in mind.
Q. You noted that digital activities now contribute up to 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions — can you expand more on this? How is Contentsquare addressing these things directly?
While digital insights offer powerful opportunities, they come with environmental challenges that must be addressed. Digital activities represent the fastest-growing category of carbon emissions, increasing 9% annually. Device production accounts for half of these emissions, with the remainder coming from operational infrastructure including data centers, network transmission, and inefficient data processing and storage practices.
At Contentsquare, we’ve been assessing our own carbon footprint and actively working to find solutions to reduce it. In 2023, we adopted a 10-year trajectory that allowed us to project and visualise our efforts. In 2024, this trajectory was validated by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTI), a group of scientists who verify that these commitments align with the state of science and the objectives defined by the Paris Climate Agreement, i.e., carbon neutrality by 2050.
We’re taking a few different approaches, too. We’re monitoring the emissions linked to our cloud infrastructure, have started to work to improve its energy efficiency, and are moving to new, efficient server models known as Graviton 3. Additionally, we’ve been working with our global procurement team to introduce ESG practices and criteria into our providers' selection processes.
Q. How can technology drive both business growth and positive societal impact overall?
When companies prioritise both innovation and responsibility in their digital transformation, they can achieve operational efficiencies that reduce environmental impact while improving user experiences. The key is to transform sustainability from “just a compliance requirement” into a catalyst for innovation.
By leveraging data and analytics thoughtfully, organisations can make informed decisions that balance business objectives with societal impact. For example, companies can optimise their digital infrastructure to reduce energy consumption through more efficient server utilisation and streamlined code, leading to both cost savings and reduced environmental impact. Similarly, investing in accessible design not only drives social inclusion but also expands market reach and improves user satisfaction across all demographics.
Additionally, as regulations around digital sustainability and accessibility tighten, companies that proactively address these areas, gain competitive advantages while building long-term resilience.
Q. How is Contentsquare creating digital experiences that are not only effective but also accessible, inclusive and sustainable internally?
Contentsquare is committed to building a more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable digital future. Our 2020 acquisition of Adapt My Web marked a pivotal step in ensuring digital content accessibility for everyone, particularly those with reading challenges, visual impairments, and dyslexia, which affects 700 million people worldwide. This technology integration reflects our broader mission to address the stark reality that 70% of global content online remains inaccessible to many users – a problem that is not always spotlighted.
To drive systemic change, we established the Contentsquare Foundation, dedicated to promoting a more accessible and inclusive digital world, primarily by supporting research, raising awareness, and driving education in digital accessibility. Recognising that over a billion people worldwide live with disabilities impacting their ability to interact online, the Foundation’s work involves advocacy and collaboration with scientific communities, nonprofit organisations, and educational institutions to help remove digital barriers. We are also fostering a culture of accessibility by training our employees to become digital accessibility advocates and enablers as well, with 70% of our workforce already trained in basic digital accessibility principles.
Q. What advice would you give to technology leaders looking to boost sustainable innovation in their companies?
To successfully implement sustainable innovation initiatives, tech leaders need to understand their company's internal dynamics. Success requires support from four key personas: the C-suite/board, managers, employees committed to an environmental cause, and those who may be skeptical.
I’d recommend quickly ensuring ESG initiatives, engaging middle managers by highlighting operational benefits, and transforming engaged employees into change drivers through training and involvement. Reach the skeptics by adapting to them, communicating regularly and transparently, and backing ideals with data.
Another key to success is progressively integrating impact products or features into offerings. If you demonstrate that more sustainable business models can create value, and you adapt to digital privacy, accessibility, and sustainability, perceptions will change. Above all, focus on practical implementation with tangible data and measurable results.
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