Report: Green Web Hosting in Germany

Nuclear re-entry, castor transports, global warming. Many reasons speak for more environmental protection. One environmental polluter is also the giant server farms, which contain thousands of servers. But what are the alternatives?

In this report, we explain what Green Web Hosting is and which providers are represented in the market.

The internet is growing and growing, billions of different websites exist now in the early 21st century, and more are constantly being added. In Germany alone, there are over 13 million .de domain-hosted websites. However, all this information, content, and websites must be operated by servers and hosting providers, consuming vast amounts of electricity - as much CO2 as the entire public air traffic. It's no wonder that in the internet and IT sector, companies are increasingly concerned about efficient, environmentally friendly web hosting, known as Green Web Hosting, derived from Green IT / Green Web Hosting. Green webspace refers to the environmentally friendly, energy-efficient provision of virtual storage on the internet. Green webspace is usually automatically associated with Green Web Hosting, as hosting almost always involves providing webspace.

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The solution is relatively simple. Many of the largest web hosts in Germany are now switching to environmentally friendly Green Hosting, or are also offering Green Webspace at the same time. Initially, it was only specialised small businesses that recognised the potential to operate servers using alternative energies. Larger nationwide companies have now also followed this trend. These companies mainly source environmentally friendly energy from sources such as solar panels, water, and wind power. However, interested parties should verify whether providers offering "green hosting" with designated Green Web Hosting actually provide it through eco-servers. Organizations like Greenpeace Energy e.G. are already questioning some companies on this.

Current providers for Green Web Hosting

Here is a selection of providers of Green Hosting on the market (As of August 2020 - List not exhaustive):

As one of the largest web hosting providers, IONOS by 1&1 offers Green Hosting. The company from Montabaur consistently focuses on sustainability, climate protection, and environmental conservation. It exclusively sources green energy from German providers for all data centres and office buildings in Germany. Additionally, the company pays attention to an efficient data centre infrastructure to optimise energy usage. Other measures include avoiding unnecessary business trips, using eco-friendly transportation, and recycling old equipment such as servers and networking technology.
Ionos Profile on hosttest

The next well-known provider is Strato AG. Since 2008, the company has been sourcing its electricity from the Baden-Württemberg-based NaturEnergie AG (electricity from hydroelectric power). Furthermore, Strato AG aims to further optimise its hardware and software to reduce energy consumption.
Strato Profile on hosttest

manitu's own statement: "Since 2008, manitu has exclusively relied on genuine green energy sourced from a regional hydroelectric power plant. All products, especially DSL connections, web hosting, and Dedicated Servers from manitu, are fully produced with green energy in manitu's own data centre at no extra cost."
Manitu Profile on hosttest

Under the motto "Nuclear-Free Electricity," GREENSTA! Öko Hosting offers Green Hosting. The range includes several hosting packages (Basic, Plus, etc.) that vary in features and price, and are very affordable.
www.greensta.de

Hosting provider UD Media uses particularly energy-efficient server systems for its customers, powered by 100% genuine green energy (greenpeace.energy). Green energy hosting starts from as low as £2.92 per month, including your own .de domain.
Udmedia Profile on hosttest

Interview with Domain-Offensive on the topic of Green Hosting

In the following interview between Hosttest (HT) and Domain-Offensive (DO), the company answers three questions on the topic of Green Hosting and sustainability.

HT: What sustainability initiatives is your company currently undertaking?

DO: We only have one Earth - hence, the sensible and responsible use of resources has been an important topic for us since the launch of DOMAIN|OFFENSIVE over 10 years ago.

We ensure that our server farms are consistently powered by green electricity. Typically, the electricity comes from hydropower. In the summer months, our office building is powered by our own solar cells, providing the necessary electricity for our hardware. For any shortfall in solar power, we source electricity from "naturstrom" or "EWS Schönau". Both providers are independent of operators of nuclear power plants.

We consciously avoid using biogas because we believe that its production through monocultures reduces biodiversity. Instead, we offset our gas consumption through afforestation and retirement of certificates, ensuring a neutral CO2 balance. The same applies to business trips, where if we are not travelling by train (which runs on green electricity), the CO2 emissions released are offset multiple times by PrimaKlima e.V. (afforestation and certificates).

Most processes are fully digital. In cases where this is not possible, we consistently use certified environmentally friendly paper with the "Blue Angel" eco-label. Recently, we were awarded the "Recycling Paper Friendly Company" seal. This is crucial to us, as the production of "new" paper typically involves the use of virgin wood, which again reduces biodiversity, and deforested trees can no longer absorb CO2.

Since 2019, we have also been involved in afforestation. Currently, our second company forest is being established near Heinersgrün.

Furthermore, we utilise smart heating control in our operations. Radio-controlled thermostats and active detection of open windows ensure that individual offices are only heated when necessary.

In addition, there are ongoing smaller employee projects. For example, on our rooftop terrace, we deliberately sow bee-friendly flowers and refrain from using weed killers.

HT: Do you have plans to further expand sustainability initiatives in the coming years?

DO: We aim to make our existing projects even more efficient. When it comes to climate protection, there can never be too much. Therefore, we are currently establishing new partnerships to plant trees even more cost-effectively. By the end of 2020, every new hosting package with us will plant at least one tree. Currently, this is already the case for our larger packages. When planting trees, we also consider sustainability aspects such as protecting the young plants from browsing - and of course, ensuring that the trees are available to all of us in the long term and are not cut down without replacement after a few years.

HT: How important is sustainability to your customers?

DO: Climate protection concerns us all, and many of our customers share this view. The exploitation that has been carried out on our nature in recent decades harms us all. As an industrialised nation, we have the means and therefore the responsibility to take the first, important, and right steps. We observe in our customer service that more and more customers are also asking specific questions about our environmental projects and sustainable hosting. For an increasing number of people, environmental protection is becoming a must-have, and we welcome this because it also aligns with our values.

Domain-Offensive Profile on hosttest

Outlook on the further development of Green Web Hosting

The fact is, the internet, with all its information and data, consumes vast amounts of energy. If significantly more hosts worldwide were to switch to Green Hosting and eco-friendly power, it could incredibly reduce CO2 emissions globally, making energy supply more sustainable in the long run.

Since most providers of Green Hosting offer prices that are hardly different from offers powered by conventional energy sources (coal, gas, nuclear), it is definitely worth considering choosing the environmentally friendly alternative in the hosting and internet sector in the future.

All information is provided without guarantee and comes from the respective providers. Does your company also offer sustainable web hosting? Then get in touch with us. MK

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