Written in collaboration with BivwAk!, a cross-functional entity that combines skills, know-how, and key assets to support the transformation and innovation of BNP Paribas Group entities.
What is at stake?
Eco-design involves integrating environmental protection into the design of products or services from the outset.
Why is it important?
Eco-design aims to reduce the environmental impacts of products throughout their lifecycle: from raw material extraction, production, distribution, use, to end of life (Ministry of Ecological Transition)
At the MVP stage, a significant portion of the future products' and services' impact is determined. Initiating an eco-design approach allows for anticipating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) right from the creation phase.
3 key steps to take action
1️⃣ Establish an action plan to incorporate the effects and impacts of the product/service lifecycle into development
- Material selection: opt for recycled or recyclable materials that are environmentally friendly
- Minimize transportation impact
- Consider product use and end-of-life: focus on recycling, reusability, and repairability
- Reduce ecological footprint during production: use sustainable raw materials, energy-efficient processes, waste reduction
- Design products for longevity and quality
- Minimize packaging or use reusable/recyclable packaging
- Implement "green coding" or "low tech" techniques to reduce energy consumption
- Implement "green coding" or "low tech" techniques to reduce energy consumption
- Prioritize essential and useful features for websites or applications
- Design with a minimalist approach
- Optimize images and reduce file sizes
- Choose an environmentally friendly web hosting solution
2️⃣ Select partners and suppliers based on their commitments
Especially, inquire whether partners can provide information about the carbon footprint of their products/services to facilitate the calculation of the MVP's carbon footprint.
3️⃣ Anticipate the effects and impacts of the product/service during its use
- Map out all the positive impacts of the future use of products and services, especially when they are distributed on a large scale (impact at scale).
- Map out all the risks associated with the use of your products/services, especially unintended uses.
- Research potential risks related to the use of your product/service, particularly among competitors already in the market, in order to anticipate them effectively.
📚 Resources and further reading
⚖️ General Reference for the Eco-design of Digital Services (RGESN)
Guidelines for the Eco-design of Digital Services.
📖 Eco-design: A Quick Start (BivwAk!)
Resource authored by BivwAk!, a cross-functional entity that combines skills, know-how, and key assets to serve the transformation and innovation of entities within the BNP Paribas Group.
📖 Reference Guide for Responsible Design of Digital Services (GR491)
Guide provided by the Institute of Responsible Digitalization
📝 Eco-design Memo Cards (BivwAk!)
Resource offered by BivwAk!, a cross-functional entity that combines skills, expertise, and key assets to serve the transformation and innovation of BNP Paribas Group entities.
📝 Eco-design Tech Charter (TheTribe)
Template of an Eco-design Tech Charter provided by The Tribe, a web & mobile development agency.
✍️ They helped us write this page
BivwAk! is a cross-functional entity that combines skills, know-how, and key assets to support the transformation and innovation of entities within the BNP Paribas Group.
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