In April 2026, the Green Web Foundation launched the first annual briefing on one of the biggest obstacles to a fossil-free internet. This first report focused on the rise of too many dirty data centres controlled by unaccountable companies. Showcasing an incredible amount of data to back up their findings.
Importantly, the report also highlighted meaningful pathways to a just and sustainable internet.
The brief
I was very honoured to be asked to be part of the project team towards the end of 2025. Brought together by the Green Web Foundation alongside other specialists in their given areas of design, data visualisation, writing and research.
My contribution was to take the designs and work them up into the functioning, low-carbon website. As well as integrate the data visualisations into the build.
The outcome
I initially worked alongside Alice Apsey to ensure aspects of the design were feasible within the budget and matched with the sustainable approach required.
The tech stack was decided as part of the brief, with WordPress being used as the underlying CMS. I opted for a classic theme approach, using Advanced Custom Fields to handle content. This included some custom backend work to alter the CMS and create dynamically named flexible content fields.
A low-carbon build
Treatment of the frontend was open to interpretation, as long as the result was accessible, sustainable and delivered the brief. My way of working generally does not include frameworks, and this website was no different.
Vanilla JavaScript, compiled SCSS and semantic HTML support a lightweight frontend with strong readability for both humans and SEO machines. I also utilised SVG for textures and icons, coupled with CSS-driven carousels and creative use of anchor links to guide users down the long-scroll read.
Working with data viz
The very talented Christian Laesser created all the data visuals for the project. His approach included D3.js and GeoJSON for an interactive globe, Leaflet for maps and some supporting Tailwind CSS output.
My job was to incorporate this work into the WordPress-based website. We opted for a lazy load system to keep the frontend as light as possible on initial load. Only including the assets when required as the user scrolls towards the next data visual. Each visual required a static PNG download, which I enable within the CMS controls.
Iterative elements within a fixed budget
This was a live and developing project during the timeline. With further research being gathered, formulated and written about across the design and build. While the project had a fixed budget, there had to be some flexibility in the working due to the nature of the content being created somewhat async.
In the weeks leading up to going live, there was a few tweaks and a final graphic that required within the build. I was very happy to work with the client team to make this possible and create the best end result.
The public response to the report
The project launched to some incredibly supportive feedback from the community. From fellow producers of sustainable websites, to academics and the design community. With such an important and timely topic, this was a little icing on the cake which topped off an all round great project.
It’s such a well put together report, with so much deep research, and packaged up with such care.James Gill – EcoSend
The website is low weight, accessible, handsome, legible and impactful. It walks the walk as well as talking the talk. As a sustainably minded web designer, the work that Nick, Alice and Christian have put into the site is inspiring.Andy Davies – Wholegrain Digital
Oh wow – it looks so gorgeous. […] it’s like a breath of fresh air looking at a really nicely designed website.Ketan Joshi – Climate writer and analyst
A big thank you to the whole project team. Katrin Fritsch (project management), Solana Larsen (lead editor), Audrey Hingle (communications), Alice Apsey (visual identity, report layout, PDF), Christian Laesser (data visualisations). Thanks as well to the Green Web Foundation team. Hannah Smith, Chris Adams, Fershad Irani.