More than 650 organizations have already signed the Charter for Sustainable IT. On Wednesday evening, the Belgian Institute for Sustainable IT (re)launched the charter with the signature of around twenty companies and organizations. The Federal Public Service Policy and Support (BOSA) is the first time that a federal institution has been involved.

State Secretary for Digitalization Mathieu Michel (MR) attended the signing on Wednesday evening together with Marie Dupont, Vice President of the French-speaking Bar Association in Brussels. After two days, more than 650 companies and organizations have already signed the charter (online). The two-page document briefly describes the rapid evolution in the way organizations work. “It is a source of innovation and progress that reflects its modern character until it becomes the showcase of its know-how,” it says above.

Sustainable IT

According to the non-profit organization, citizens are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental and social consequences of digital technology. Therefore, organizations, governments and companies need to revise their digital strategy. The signatories also commit to “taking steps towards more ethical, inclusive, accessible and environmentally friendly IT,” the institute told Belga. The Institute for Sustainable IT highlights five key principles in the charter, including a number of specific agreements that signatories must adhere to:

• Optimize digital tools to limit their impact and consumption (emissions, resources, biodiversity loss, climate change).
• Develop services that are accessible, inclusive and sustainable.
• Leveraging transparent digital services through the use of ethical and responsible digital practices.
• Achieve sustainable IT by making digital measurable, transparent and readable.
• Commit to new ways of working and values, because digital transformation is an important lever for creating value.

International Charter

The Belgian Charter for Sustainable IT is linked to a similar charter in six countries (including France and Switzerland). In previous signing rounds, 85 Belgian organizations have already signed the charter. On Wednesday, 27 signatories were added, including the FPS BOSA, ING Bank, Infrabel and the Brussels Regional Public Service. The charter has already been signed by exactly 659 organizations in the six countries.

You can sign the (Belgian) charter via this link.