教育科技的永續性

隨著國家和全球對 ESG（環境、社會和管治）目標的關注度不斷提高，教育部門繼續努力減少對環境的影響，並保持在永續教育和學習的前沿地位。

教育科技工具供應商正積極拓展其產品線，推出更多秉持循環經濟概念的產品，例如使用原本會流入海洋的塑膠和回收的貴金屬等材料。本報告檢驗了中小學和高等教育機構在永續性的現狀，並探討了實施更永續實踐所面臨的挑戰和解決方案。

市場趨勢：

教育科技的永續性已經超越了僅限於節能硬體的狹隘觀點，現在它處於籌資策略、數位股權、生命週期管理、監管合規性和教育機構韌性的交匯點。

隨著設備生態系統的老化、人工智慧工作負載的擴大以及對產品環境性能相關聲明的審查力度加大，到 2026 年，學校和大學將面臨越來越大的壓力，需要證明他們的技術選擇不僅有助於學習成果，還有助於實現更廣泛的環境目標。

教育領域仍是推廣永續設備的重要策略市場。這是因為教育機構的採購通常規模龐大、受政策驅動，並且與公共課責密切相關。另一方面，教育機構的採購負責人面臨許多實際限制，例如預算有限、採購專業知識分散以及永續性數據不均衡。此外，他們還面臨著如何在設備壽命與網路安全、軟體支援以及新興人工智慧需求之間取得平衡的營運挑戰。

研究領域：

• 教育領域的永續性通常從多方面觀點出發，涵蓋環境、社會和經濟需求。隨著數位化學習工具的快速普及，對其負責任的設計、部署和生命週期管理的需求也日益成長，這有助於我們最大限度地減少對環境的影響，促進公平獲取資源，並支持長期經濟成長。
• 領先的教育科技供應商正透過創新應對挑戰，推出採用海洋衍生塑膠和再生稀土元素材料製造的產品。這些產品包裝更少、採用模組化設計，並內建生命週期管理功能，使其越來越符合循環經濟的原則。
• 未來，大多數永續性框架預計將涵蓋道德採購、社會影響和數位股權。評估勞工實踐、社區參與和包容性的認證體係也將日益普及。目前，TCO 和 EPEAT 已在積極推進這些舉措，其 ESG 標準的範圍已超越設備領域，旨在為教育和其他領域的永續性策略提供指導。

目錄

• 介紹
• 摘要整理
• 裝置量分析
• 永續性標籤、認證和標準
• 應對電子廢棄物、人工智慧和循環採購問題。
• 教育機構中教育科技永續性的展望
• OEM廠商設備永續性舉措概述
• 主要區域永續性舉措

With an ongoing national and global focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals, the educational community continues to be committed to reducing its impact on the environment and being at the forefront of sustainable teaching and learning.

Suppliers of educational technology tools are keen to expand the offering of products which are made of ocean-bound plastic, recycled precious metals and are designed with circularity in mind. This report reviews the current state of the sustainability journey of K-12 and High Ed institutions and addresses challenges and solutions to the adoption of more sustainable practices.

Market Trends:

Sustainability in educational technology has moved beyond a narrow focus on energy-efficient hardware and now sits at the intersection of procurement strategy, digital equity, lifecycle management, regulatory compliance, and institutional resilience.

In 2026, schools and universities are under growing pressure to show that their technology choices support both learning outcomes and wider environmental goals, particularly as device fleets age, AI workloads expand, and scrutiny of product claims intensifies.

The education sector remains a strategically important market for sustainable device adoption because institutional purchases are often high volume, policy influenced and tied to public accountability. At the same time, education buyers face practical constraints: limited budgets, fragmented procurement expertise, uneven sustainability data, and the operational challenge of balancing device longevity with cybersecurity, software support, and emerging AI requirements.

Areas Explored:

• Sustainability in education is often viewed through a multidimensional lens, encompassing environmental, social, and economic imperatives.As the usage of digital learning tools is rapidly increasing, the need for their responsible design, deployment, and lifecycle management is also on the rise, which can potentially minimise ecological impact, promote equitable access, and support long-term economic growth.
• Leading EdTech suppliers are responding with innovation, introducing products manufactured from ocean-bound plastics and recycled rare earth materials. These offerings are increasingly aligned with circular economy principles, featuring reduced packaging, modular design, and embedded lifecycle management capabilities.
• Looking forward, most sustainability frameworks will be expected to include ethical sourcing, social impact, and digital equity. More certifications will have to assess labor practices, community benefit, and inclusion. Currently this is already being done by TCO and EPEAT whose ESG criteria expand beyond devices, shaping sustainability strategies in education and other sectors.

Did you know?

Futuresource has been tracking, analysing and consulting upon developments in the global EdTech market for over 20 years, butsince the COVID-19 pandemic, the spotlight has very much remained on EdTech and its role in maintaining and continuing children's education.

Any enterprise operating within the EdTech sector will benefit from this report, particularly:

• Manufacturers and their suppliers
• Resellers and VARs
• Intermediaries and supply chain
• EdTech market strategists, marketing and sales professionals
• Investors

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does the Futuresource Sustainability in Education Technology report cover?

The report examines sustainability across K-12 and higher education, covering procurement strategies, device lifecycle management, regulatory compliance, e-waste, circular procurement, OEM sustainability initiatives and regional sustainability developments.

Why is sustainability becoming a priority in education technology?

Educational institutions are under increasing pressure to align technology investments with environmental goals while supporting learning outcomes, managing ageing device fleets, meeting AI requirements and complying with evolving sustainability standards.

How are EdTech manufacturers improving device sustainability?

Leading EdTech suppliers are introducing devices made from ocean-bound plastics and recycled materials, alongside modular designs, reduced packaging and lifecycle management features that support circular economy principles.

Which sustainability standards and certifications are covered in the report?

The report reviews key sustainability labels and certifications, including TCO Certified and EPEAT, and explores how ESG criteria, ethical sourcing, digital equity and social impact are shaping education technology procurement.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Executive Summary
• Installed Base Analysis
• Sustainability Labels, Certifications and Standards
• Navigating E-waste, AI, and Circular Procurement
• Institutional Ed Tech Sustainability Agenda Outlook
• OEMs’ Device Sustainability Initiatives Overview
• Key Regional Sustainability Initiatives