How sustainable hosting options appeal to a growing ethical consumer base in Canada
Key takeaways
Canadian businesses are paying increasing attention to their supply chain practices
Consumers value environmental impact, mindfulness, and healthiness
There are almost 200 million websites online
Each produces around 60kg of carbon a year
Green hosting companies use renewable energy instead of fossil fuels to generate electric power
Demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability builds trust
69% of Canadian consumers expect businesses to address sustainability concerns
Ethical consumerism is about choosing ethically sourced, made, and distributed products and services. Canadian businesses are paying increasing attention to their supply chain practices as more and more consumers begin shopping in an ethically conscious manner.
Canadian consumers appreciate mindfulness and healthiness
Canadians are looking beyond the price to seek products that reflect values such as environmental impact, mindfulness, and healthiness. In 2024, 50% of consumers reported buying more sustainable products compared to five years ago. Almost a third (32%) boycotted a food product out of concern that producers didn't follow environmentally sustainable practices, and 36% stopped buying certain food products for sustainability reasons. Supporting small shops and locally produced goods by choosing items made in Canada has been a traditional mark of ethical consumerism. While some things cost more, many consumers realize that it's better to get fewer well-made, sustainably produced items instead of a lot of cheaply made things.
The stats on carbon emissions
In line with the broader trend toward sustainability, eco-friendly hosting is becoming more appealing to Canadian consumers. There are almost 200 million websites online, with each producing around 60kg of carbon a year on average, which corresponds to an average car driving 270 miles. The internet would be the fourth biggest polluter worldwide if it were a country.Digital services comprise around 3.7% of all carbon emissions. This portion is expected to rise as consumers become more reliant on the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence.
The value of renewable energy for web hosting
Websites are hosted on servers in data centers, whose systems consume a lot of energy. Non-sustainable infrastructure uses fossil fuels to generate electricity and keep servers from overheating. The server uses electricity to transfer data whenever a visitor requests to view a web page. The data is transmitted to their device. Apart from this electricity's carbon footprint, devices consume energy themselves, increasing the footprint of online activity further.
Some green hosting companies use renewable energy instead of fossil fuels to generate electric power, directly reducing the impact of energy use. Others purchase carbon offset credits or renewable energy credits. Their data centers don't use clean energy directly, but the host addresses the environmental impact by buying carbon offsets.
The use of the cloud contributes to the appeal of sustainable hosting by limiting the increase in energy use. According to the International Energy Agency, data center workloads grew tenfold from 2010 to 2020, but data center energy use remained stable over that decade.
Advantages of sustainable hosting for businesses
Demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability can improve public perception and build trust with consumers. A business that responds to environmentally aware consumer values is likely to inspire customer loyalty and potentially grow its market share. Implementing green hosting solutions reflects a company's dedication to ethical practices and social responsibility.Data centers optimize energy usage through efficient cooling systems and hardware, and some companies invest in reforestation projects to neutralize emissions.Businesses may qualify for sustainability grants or tax benefits for adopting eco-friendly solutions. As of 2025, 69% of Canadian consumers expect businesses to address sustainability concerns. Companies that prioritize green hosting appeal to eco-conscious customers and differentiate themselves in the market.
Finally, some green hosting providers use cutting-edge, high-performance infrastructure and offer reliable cybersecurity and backup systems.
