Minor Digitalization and Environment: Friend or Foe?

 

FORMAT

Classroom

LOCATION

Campus SophiaTech

Prerequisites

Be able to install and run software on your computer. Basic programming (Python, Web) is a plus.

Capacity

25 students

About this minor

Summary

Learning Outcomes

  • Good understanding of the environmental challenges
  • Good understanding of the impact of ICT on the environment
  • Ability to evaluate and to reduce the ICT impact

Contents

  • Session 1 - The Anthropocentric age
    • Carbon emission origin
    • Geographic and sector breakdown
    • The Paris agreement
    • Hands-on on Kaya equation: understanding the key levers on worldwide CO2 emissions. 
  • Session 2 - Questioning Digitalization
    • The importance of tech for human societies
    • Energy for the dummies
    • GHG protocol and reporting by companies 
    • Case study: Netflix and GHG emissions of video streaming 
  • Session 3 - Lab on Power and Energy of Computers and network workloads
    • Graded lab
  • Sessions 4 - Measuring ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Footprint
    • Production vs. Usage
    • Ecological impact (minerals, air, water)
    • Life Cycle Assessment
    • ICT: a cure ou a curse for environment?
    • Case study: smartphone
  • Session 5 - Direct and indirect impact of ICT
    • Direct and indirect impact of ICT
    • Green IT and IT for Green
  • Session 6 - Green Algorithm Design
  • Session 7 - Law, Environment and Digital world
    • Disruptive Technology and their ecological impact
    • Compliance with Law
  • Session 8 - MCQ and oral presentation of selected research articles and open debate on proposed questions from students 
Lecturers
  • Luc Deneire
  • Frédéric Giroire
  • Mélanie Olivari
  • Guillaume Urvoy-Keller
Evaluation
  • Lab/Hands-on - 23/10/2025 (session 3), 9h00 - Campus SophiaTech, Templiers, room B207 (25 % of the final grade)
  • Oral presentation - 11/12/2025, 9h00 - Campus SophiaTech, Templiers, room B207 (50 % of the final grade)
  • MCQ - 11/12/2025, 9h00 - Campus SophiaTech, Templiers, room B207 (25 % of the final grade)
Bibliography

SCHEDULE FALL 2025

Mind the evaluation modalities and deadlines in the "Evaluation" tab above.

Date

Time slot

Course title

Lecturer

Room

09/10/2025 9h00-12h00 The Anthropocentric age Luc Deneire Campus SophiaTech Templiers, building B, room B207
16/10/2025 9h00-12h00 Questioning Digitalization  Guillaume Urvoy-Keller Campus SophiaTech Templiers, building B, room B207
23/10/2025 9h00-12h00 Lab on Power and Energy of Computers and network workloads Guillaume Urvoy-Keller Campus SophiaTech Templiers, building B, room B207
06/11/2025 9h00-12h00 Measuring ICT Footprint Campus SophiaTech Templiers, building B, room B207
13/11/2025 9h00-12h00 Direct and indirect impact of ICT  Guillaume Urvoy-Keller Campus SophiaTech Templiers, building B, room B207
20/11/2025 9h00-12h00 Green Algorithm Design  Frédéric Giroire Campus SophiaTech Templiers, building B, room B207
27/11/2025 9h00-12h00 Law, Environment and Digital world Mélanie Olivari Campus SophiaTech Templiers, building B, room B207
11/12/2025 9h00-12h00 Oral presentations of personal projects Luc Deneire and Guillaume Urvoy-Keller Campus SophiaTech Templiers, building B, room B207