IGF 2023 DC3 Community Networks: Digital Sovereignty and Sustainability

This session will explore the role played by community networks as vectors of digital sovereignty and sustainability. The first part of the session will discuss how community networks act as laboratories of digital sovereignty for local communities, enabling previously unconnected individuals to learn how digital technology works, building and maintaining hardware and software, enjoying so-called "network self-determination", thus becoming digitally sovereign communities.
Subsequently, session participants will explore how community networks can address the digital footprint. Generally, all community networks work with localised services and edge caching mechanisms, leading to less global traffic and therefore less data passing through high energy consumption data centres. Many community networks are addressing the power generation problem through the use of solar power and other renewable energy sources, while others are promoting a circular economy and reducing e-waste. Additionally, some CNs deploy localised services via sensor networks that can contribute to monitoring climate resilience related indicators.

To conclude, participants will discuss how community networks are supporting local groups working on climate justice and environmental sustainability. The session will feature case studies and stories from the field, showcasing how community networks are addressing local environmental challenges through innovative approaches and collaboration.

The IGF 2023 session of the Dynamic Coalition on Community Connectivity (DC3) will focus on exploring the connection between community networks and environmental sustainability. Session participants will provide their standpoints and share experiences and good practices to be consolidated into an Exploratory Paper on Community Networks, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Justice, elaborated as a 2023 DC3 Outcome.