From Pixel to Planet: The UX Imperative for a Sustainable Digital Future

Abstract

As digital transformation accelerates across sectors, the environmental and social impacts of our digital systems are often overlooked, hidden behind seamless interfaces and frictionless experiences. Yet, the design of user experiences (UX) directly influences energy consumption, data generation, user behaviour, and ultimately, the sustainability of our digital future. This presentation bridges the worlds of UX design, technology, and sustainability, highlighting how public and private sector leaders, from policymakers to platform architects, can rethink digital engagement through a sustainability lens. We will examine how UX decisions can promote responsible consumption, reduce digital waste, and support sustainable behaviour change at scale. Drawing on case studies, emerging research, and practical frameworks, this talk calls on designers, technologists, and decision-makers to move from convenience-first to conscience-first digital ecosystems. Because, in a world increasingly shaped by code and interaction, sustainable design is not optional; it is transformational.