App screenshot showing settings window with low carbon mode

1

Open Webex and sign in.

2

Click Settings Settings button represented by a cog icon on the navigation sidebar, and select General.

3

Go to Carbon aware mode and select from:

  • Optimize energy use—postpones software updates for up to a day (but allows urgent updates), when low-carbon energy isn't available.

  • Optimize video in one-to-one meetings and calls—decreases video resolution, by using standard definition (SD), rather than high definition (HD), in meetings and calls when low-carbon energy isn't available.

The Optimize video in one-to-one meetings and calls check box is only available by first selecting Optimize energy use.

4

Then, click Save.

You see the green leaf icon Green leaf in the header on your meetings or calls, to let you know Carbon aware mode is active.

1

Open Webex and sign in.

2

Click your profile picture, then click Settings Settings button represented by a cog icon and select General Settings.

3

Check the Optimize energy use check box.

This reduces your video resolution to 360p in meetings and calls when low-carbon energy isn't available.

4

Then, click Save.

During a meeting, you can also click More Options button More options in the meeting controls, and then toggle on Enable Carbon aware mode.

You see the green leaf icon Green leaf in the header on your meetings or calls, to let you know Carbon aware mode is active.

How it works

Energy supply

Webex detects your country or geographic region, and retrieves a 24-hour carbon intensity forecast of the electricity supply using data from Electricity Maps.

No personal identifying information is shared with Electricity Maps.

Energy use

During a meeting or call, if your electricity supply comes primarily from high carbon-intensity energy sources (less than 50% from fossil-free sources), Webex uses a maximum video resolution of 360p.

Software updates

If the electricity supply at your location comes primarily from high carbon-intensity energy sources (less than 50% from fossil-free sources), Webex defers available software updates. When the energy supply shifts to low-carbon sources (at least 50% from fossil-free sources), Webex retrieves, and applies the update.

Webex defers non-urgent updates for a maximum of 24 hours.

Notes on Carbon aware mode

  • When using a virtual private network (VPN), it can make it difficult for Webex App to accurately determine your geographic region, and Carbon aware mode may not function correctly.

  • On desktop, if you select Optimize video in one-to-one meetings and calls, Webex App utilizes 360p video for both participants on a call, even if they haven't selected this option.

    • On Web, Webex utilizes 360p video for the send resolution only, on your meetings or calls.

  • If you've already selected 360p camera resolution in your Webex App video settings, the Optimize video in one-to-one meetings and calls option won't apply.