On 19 May, one year after the publication of the General policy framework for the ecodesign of digital services (RGESN), Arcep and Arcom, in tandem with ADEME, have assembled digital ecosystem stakeholders and ecodesign experts to form a new body: the Digital Ecodesign Stakeholder Forum (“RGESN Forum”).
Between now and 2050, if nothing is done to curtail it and consumption continues at the current pace, digital technology’s carbon footprint could triple compared to 2020. This also applies to the consumption of audiovisual media which accounts for the equivalent of one third of digital technology’s carbon footprint in France, and whose GHG emissions could increase by 30% by 2030 if the current trajectory is maintained. The ecodesign of digital devices and services is one of the key levers to reverse these trends.
Create a multi-stakeholder body for an open and iterative process
In May 2024, Arcep and Arcom, in tandem with ADEME and with the collaboration of DINUM (the Inter-ministerial Directorate in charge of the State’s digital transformation), Inria (the National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology) and CNIL (the Internet freedoms and innovation watchdog), published the General policy framework for the ecodesign of digital services (RGESN): it contains 78 best practices to help industry professionals develop digital services (websites, platforms, chatbots, etc.) using ecodesign, hence more sustainable, principles. The deployment of the RGESN lays the foundations of a framework for audiovisual services by specific product category, under the guidance of ADEME, along with Arcom and Arcep. This category-specific framework will lead to a common methodology for assessing the impact of these services, and an ecodesign index that gives consumers an easy and informative way to identify the ecodesign score of TV services, AVMS and video sharing platforms.
The first edition of the RGESN Forum brought together stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds who have either already adopted or are looking to commit to an ecodesign process for their services: businesses, independent audiovisual media experts, associations and public bodies (see Annex for the complete list). Arcep and Arcom invite any experts and organisations wanting to contribute to the work of the RGESN Forum and its upcoming events (workshops, plenary sessions) to join the movement (form).
Tailoring the framework to businesses’ situations and operational needs
Stakeholders who are already involved in applying the policy framework – SNCF, Thalès, France Télévisions and GreenSpector – shared the lessons learned from their experiences with participants: successes as well as hurdles encountered in adopting the RGESN.
The work of the Digital Ecodesign Stakeholder Forum will help to adjust the content based on feedback from the field, and adapt it to businesses’ requirements and technological developments, to streamline its application to make it more accessible to as many companies as possible. The goal: to maintain a robust, operational and iterative framework. A teamwork session was held with stakeholder businesses and a group of associations and experts, to consolidate the real-world lessons learned from experience with the RGESN.
In addition to the RGESN, multiple initiatives are advancing ecodesign and sustainable tech through training, procurement policies, alongside environmental communication and raising public awareness, notably by promoting best practices and programmes devoted to these issues. This event also gave participants an opportunity to share their commitment to accelerating digital technology’s Green transition.
Promoting the ecodesign of digital services in Europe and around the world
The ecodesign of digital services is still an emerging subject and one that is largely overlooked in public policies. Spurred by the RGESN, French institutions are promoting its deployment in European and international discussions about the environmental impact of these services. The General policy framework’s international dissemination is among the RGESN Forum’s key areas of focus. A global and multi-stakeholder approach is vital to ensuring that digital services are designed in a way that is mindful of planetary limits, for the sake of future generations.
Associated documents
Programme for the Digital Ecodesign Stakeholder Forum launch event on 19 May 2025
1:30 – 2:00 | Welcome coffee and greeting videoconference participants
2:00 – 2:30 | Opening
- Opening remarks and presentation of the RGESN Forum goals by Xavier Merlin, Arcep Board member
- Opening remarks by Bénédicte Lesage, Arcom Board member
- Opening remarks by Mathieu Wellhoff, Head of the Digital Sobriety department, ADEME
2:30 – 3:45 | Testimonials and experience feedback from the ecosystem
Incorporating the General policy framework into operational reality: early lessons
- Mellie La Roque, Lead service designer, SNCF Connect
- Aurore Tual, Head of the ecodesign programme, Thalès
- Livia Saurin, Deputy Secretary-General, France Télévisions
- Laurent Devernay, Digital affairs consultant, GreenSpector
3:45 – 4:00 | Coffee break
4:00 – 5:00 | Overview of public initiatives around the RGESN and digital ecodesign
Training, environmental communication, public policies: what are public entities doing to promote ecodesign and digital technology’s Green transition?
- Marie-Liane Lekpeli, Director of “Sustainable tech and cybersecurity”, DGE
- Alexis Perez, Digital sobriety engineer, ADEME
- Mélanie Raphaël, Digital sustainability expert, DINUM
- Cécile Narce, Deputy director of training, Télécom SudParis
5:00 – 5:40 | Open discussion: Challenges and outlook for implementing the RGESN – defining the Forum’s priorities
What topics should the RGESN Forum tackle in 2025 and 2026?
- Presentation of initial feedback from the ecosystem on the “Ecodesign Day” 2025 event (Arcep)
- Presentation of the RGESN consortium by Christophe Clouzeau (Institut du Numérique Responsable) and Anne Faubry (Designers Ethiques)
- Teamwork session: drafting the RGESN Forum work programme
5:40 – 5:45 | Conclusions and outlook
- Closing remarks by Arcep