Green hosting is the practice of choosing web hosting providers that actively reduce or offset the environmental impact of their data centers. The internet may feel invisible, but its infrastructure is anything but.
Every website lives on a server. And servers live in data centers. Those centers consume enormous amounts of electricity — not just to run the machines, but also to keep them cool. If this energy comes from fossil fuels, your digital presence contributes directly to global emissions.
In fact, if the internet were a country, it would be the 6th largest consumer of electricity in the world. Hosting decisions matter.
Choosing Your Green Host
Here are some providers known for their environmental commitment:
- Infomaniak (Switzerland): 100% renewable energy, data centers in Geneva. Approx. €6–12/month for standard hosting.
- Ikoula (France): ISO 50001 certified, French servers, green-powered. Shared hosting from €2.50/month.
- GreenGeeks (US/EU): Offsets 3x the energy they consume. From $3/month.
- o2Switch (France): Runs on low-impact energy mix, local data centers. €5/month all-in-one plan.
- PlanetHoster (Canada/France): Eco-certifications, custom plans around €6–10/month.
- Hetzner (Germany): Uses hydro energy, efficient facilities. Ideal for VPS and dedicated servers.
Note: Yes, green hosting can be slightly more expensive. But it’s a small price to pay for a lighter digital footprint — especially if your site is well-optimized and doesn't waste resources.
More Than Just Hosting
Hosting is only one part of the equation. An eco-friendly website also means lightweight code, fewer requests, minimal dependencies, and sustainable design choices. Hosting green won't save your site if you're loading 300 MB of video on the homepage.